How to embrace flexibility on remote work while keeping in-person inspiration

It’s an odd sensation, being home alone every day now that my husband is back at work, with the silence broken only by Zoom calls. And it’s not just home: The neighborhood is quieter. I don’t see anyone on my daily walks, no more dogs barking or kids playing, and the drone of traffic is back.

It seems the world has returned to work—but for many of us in PR, we’re still at home. Why? Because we can.

Let’s be honest: PR practitioners never really needed to be in an office. Building a sense of culture and community with co-workers is great, but for the most part, all we need is a computer and phone to do our jobs. It’s what makes the return-to-office question all that much more difficult, both for individuals and team leaders.

Personally, prior to March 2020, I never thought about being a remote employee, and had even turned down jobs that offered it. It simply didn’t seem feasible. But now, I find myself not wanting to go back to the office—at least not full time.

I’m privileged to have a quiet and comfortable space to work at home. I like petting my cat between meetings. I like wearing leggings all day. I like getting things done during the week that used to rob my weekends (laundry, cleaning, the like). Most of all, I like sleeping in because I don’t have to get ready and drive to work.