My department at work has a hybrid schedule and we’re not all in the office on all days. I’m always the first one in and will unlock the office suite and then my own office. I keep my door open as I’m working and only close it when I have a meeting/call scheduled.
But, I’m the only one. Everyone else keeps their door closed – or nearly so – throughout the day. I was worried that it was me and that I was too noisy, but even when I pay attention to being quiet, it’s still an office of closed doors. Oddly, this also means that I don’t know when someone is working remotely or in the office.
And it seems…lonely. While I like the option of working from home part of the time, I start to struggle when it’s too many days in a row. I feel disconnected.
So when I’m in the office and I don’t interact with anyone, it starts to feel like I’m alone there. I usually make an excuse to go out onto campus – usually for snacks – even just to interact with someone and to see other people In Real Life.
I remember when we first went remote at the start of the pandemic. It was novel at first to be able to roll out of bed and not have to go anywhere, but that got old pretty quickly and I started to get lonely. I can be an introvert, but only for so long.
I was somewhat relieved when we started working with a hybrid schedule of some days in the office and some days remote. It helped to break up the work week and was a good balance to convenience and connection.
How strange that we’re not interacting much even when the opportunity is there. I guess that isolation bothers me more than my co-workers.
So my door is open, even if I’m the only one. And I’d be delighted to have you stop by.