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Let's go. Read this on Medium if you prefer. If you need *deals* b/c tis the season, scroll to the end...
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After 8 years away from an office job (remote!), I finally returned last week to a hybrid office setup.
It’s been… an adjustment.
Sure, the commute isn’t terrible (15 minutes by bus — 20 if I walk, NYC for the win), and my desk setup is as minimal as I could manage:
Snacks? Well-stocked. Drinks? Covered.
I’m still figuring some things out, though — like how to start and end the day with a little more intention.
There’s also the balance of needing a break from the office vibe but still showing up, ready to work.
Here are the strategies that are kind of working for me so far, and where I still need some improvement. Maybe they’ll help you too.
1. Build a routine that actually works for the office
At home, I had a rhythm — morning deep work, breaks when I needed them, clear stop time, and even the occasional trip to the gym. Coming back to an office, I realized I couldn’t just copy-paste that schedule. It needed to shift.
- Keep it simple: My desk setup is intentionally bare. I don’t need clutter to think straight. A legal pad and headphones get the job done.
- Take intentional breaks: Even though I bring my lunch most days, I have to get out. A short walk around the block, the nearby park, or a longer trip to the coffee shop helps me reset and not feel stuck inside.
- Start and end with purpose (working on it): I want to start the day by jotting down priorities and end it by cleaning up my desk and writing tomorrow’s to-do list. I haven’t been consistent yet, but I’m working on it. I know small rituals like this matter.
It’s not about forcing yourself into a rigid routine. It’s about finding a rhythm that makes sense for this new setup.
2. Keep the distractions at bay
Working at home had its own distractions — laundry, the fridge, whatever — but at least it was quiet. The office is a different beast: spontaneous conversations, ringing phones, and those “just a quick question” moments.
- Headphones = focus: I brought nice headphones with me. Even if nothing’s playing, they’re a solid “I’m working” signal.
- Batch interruptions: I’m trying to protect the mornings for focused work and leave the afternoon open for quick chats or meetings. Still a work in progress, but it helps.
- Use tools that keep you on track: My new company uses Notion, which I’m already comfortable with. I’ve been leaning on some of my old templates to stay organized — no wasted time searching for what I’m supposed to do next.
Office distractions are inevitable. It’s about managing them so you can keep a little control over your day.
3. Use the office for what it’s actually good at
Let’s be honest: one of the best parts about an office is being able to turn around and talk to someone.
No scheduling. No endless email chains. No continuous pings and dings.
Just a two-minute conversation that gets the job done.
Working remotely made those quick connections harder. Everything was formal: “Let me find a time on the calendar.”
Now, I’m trying to lean into the collaboration the office offers:
- Real-time feedback when I’m stuck.
- Brainstorming in person when a problem needs energy.
- Spontaneous hallway conversations that replace a dozen Slack messages.
It’s nice to be reminded that work can flow when you’re in the same room as your team.
4. Redefine your work-life boundaries
Remote work blurred the lines between work and everything else. But the commute — even a short one — gives me a good mental boundary.
- The 15-minute commute reset: It’s just enough time to shift gears. Sometimes I listen to a podcast. Sometimes I let my brain wander. Walking home in 20 minutes is even better — it feels like a real transition out of “work mode.”
5. Find pockets of quiet (they’re there — somewhere)
There’s a certain buzz in an office that you can’t avoid. It’s fine for some tasks, but when I need to focus? I look for pockets of quiet.
- Seek out quieter spaces: An empty meeting room or a tucked-away corner works wonders.
- Get focused early: Mornings tend to be quieter, so I try to do my deep work then. Afternoons are for meetings and collaboration.
- Headphones are clutch (again): When all else fails, good headphones and a legal pad are my go-to focus combo.
The office might not be perfect for deep work, but finding even small pockets of quiet can make a difference.
6. Enjoy the small wins of being around people
Working at home made it easy to feel isolated. No casual chats. No quick check-ins. Just Zoom fatigue and Slack notifications.
Even though I’m an introvert, being back in the office reminded me how energizing those little interactions can be.
- A quick conversation that solves a problem in 5 minutes.
- Sharing work in progress and getting immediate feedback.
- Grabbing coffee with a coworker and talking about anything other than work.
Those moments don’t feel like wasted time. They feel like small, motivating wins.
Coming back to the office after 8 years hasn’t been seamless. I’m working on starting and ending my days with more intention. I’m learning to embrace the energy of being around other people while protecting my focus and monitoring my social bandwidth.
It’s still a work in progress.
The trick, I think, is to bring the best habits from remote work into the office while leaning into what the office does best: collaboration, connection, and a little structure.
What’s been your biggest adjustment going back to the office? I’d love to hear it.
Related reading:
Keep going-
Josh Spilker / Create Make Write
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