How to Prepare for Going Back to Work

Working from home has been the new reality for the past few months. COVID-19 has completely changed the way we do life, including our jobs. But what do we do now that it’s time to go back into in-person work?

Mentally prepare, obviously.

Not only is it important to have new precautions, like masks and hand sanitizer, but you also need to look out for your mental health before you make that jump.

Here’s how to do it.

Get into a routine.

Start by easing yourself back into a routine. This starts by waking up at a decent time- what time do you usually get up for work?

What I like to do every day is make the bed as soon as I wake up. This alone helps me feel ten times more productive, right at the start of my day. I then do a little meditation and journaling, just to help me feel a bit more centered before I begin doing whatever I have to do.

Get a planner.

I also recommend investing in a planner. Passion Planner is a wonderful company for this- its planners allow you to set daily, monthly, and lifetime goals. Planning is a great way to streamline your thoughts and sort out what you need to do each day. You can also express yourself creatively through a planner via stickers and collages! Time to break out your stash of Lisa Frank stickers you’ve been saving since the ‘90s. Who says having a grown-up schedule can’t be fun and colorful?

Take it one step at a time.

When going back to work, take it one step at a time. If you’re working for a job that requires shifts, only take a few when you first get back. You don’t want to burn yourself out during the first week back.

Take care of your body (and your mind).

Also, remember to exercise every day! At the very least, take a daily walk. Shake what your momma gave you during some dance classes or do workouts at home via Zoom or Instagram Live. It’s good to build your energy back up before heading back into work and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

Make sure you’re working your brain out every day, too (and your most recent Netflix binge doesn’t count, sadly). Read self-development books that encourage growth for at least ten minutes a day, and try to journal out your thoughts at least daily. It could be just a sentence or two: no one’s expecting you to write Anna Karenina here.

Re-adjusting is a difficult thing, so don’t put too much pressure on yourself! Don’t feel like you need to jump all the way in headfirst on day one. Instead, progress a little at a time. The period that we’re in right now is a time for growth and adjusting to a new reality. Do it at your own pace and take care of yourself every step of the way. It’s a new world, a new set of rules, and a new period of change that’s just beginning.

Written by: Rae Meghan