My head hurts. The flood of articles about firms mandating a five-day return to the office feels overwhelming. While enforcing a full-time in-person schedule is a company’s prerogative, it’s equally your decision whether to stay—or consider new opportunities.

Outside of emails from my daughters’ school and activities, nearly all the texts on my phone are from clients who feel unwilling or unable to return to a five-day office routine. The Anxiety and distrust built up over years of working 24/7 through the pandemic linger, and navigating this shift feels deeply personal.

Of course, there are three sides to this story: companies’ expectations, employees’ needs, and the messy middle where reality lands. Research echoes these sentiments—Gallup studies continue to show rising dissatisfaction and disengagement among employees, with quiet quitting remaining a persistent trend.

Clients’ reactions to RTO vary by stage of life. Some thrive in their at-home routines, unable to justify the commute due to family, health, or mental well-being. Others are eager to return, seeking work-life separation and in-office community.

Wherever you stand, here are practical and holistic strategies to manage the transition back to in-person work.

Fostering Emotional Wellbeing

1. Reframe your commute.

Transform your commute into a time for joy or personal Growth—listen to a favorite playlist, a thought-provoking podcast, or reconnect with an old friend. I love sending 5 thank you texts each week to new and old friends.

2. Schedule restorative breaks.

Incorporate short, intentional pauses into your day to recharge. Step out for a coffee or tea, take a brief walk, or schedule 15-minute mental resets to avoid Burnout. I do visualizations in the afternoon to clear out bad meetings and prep for evenings

3. Take a strategic approach to your career.

If you’re considering a change, start small. Network in short, focused bursts rather than dedicating entire weekends to a job search. Download my Clarity Map to streamline your efforts and gain clarity.

4. Prioritize Personal Development.

View this phase as an (selfish) opportunity to gain valuable skills, certifications, or connections that will prepare you for the next step in your career—whether it’s internal or external.

5. Use your calendar as balance.

Set yourself up for success by mapping out your year. Solidify vacation dates, work Travel plans, and family commitments to create structure and mental predictability.

Tip: Don’t overlook free resources available to you. Many companies provide Employee Assistance Programs (EAP) or free access to mindfulness apps like Headspace to support your well-being.

Streamlining Logistical Wellness

1. Pick your office environment.

If your company has multiple offices, consider working from a different location periodically. Travel for conferences or client visits can also add variety to your routine. Sometimes smaller offices are an option every so often as well

2. Give yourself an overnight reset.

Treat yourself to an occasional staycation or discounted hotel night to recharge. Apps offering last-minute deals make this an affordable option

3. Maximize your lunch breaks.

Use lunch as an opportunity to connect with colleagues and change your environment. Conversations over a meal can often lead to greater productivity and Innovation than hours at a desk. Call on your inner Don Draper!

Leading Through the Transition

1. Keep your RTO ideas private.

While it’s important to advocate for yourself, avoid publicly expressing frustrations. Focus instead on managing your boundaries and needs discreetly.

2. Encourage team wellness.

Facilitate walking 1:1s or move meetings to different spaces, like an atrium or outdoor patio, to bring fresh energy to the day.

3. Build in intentional team breaks.

End meetings 5-15 minutes early or start them late (with notice so they can look forward to space!) to allow your team moments for water, rest, or mental resets.

4. Make in-person time count.

Use office days for collaboration, brainstorming, and problem-solving. Prioritize activities that benefit from in-person interaction, rather than defaulting to independent offices or screen-only meetings

Transitioning to a full-time office routine is challenging, but it’s also an opportunity to reimagine how you approach work, well-being, and long-term goals. Whether you’re finding ways to adapt or considering a new path, intentional strategies can help you thrive.

If you’re ready to gain clarity and take actionable steps forward, download my Clarity Map or reach out to start the conversation.

Lynn Mull Holistic Career Coach & Author

Career Coach | Author | WellNess Advisor | Reiki Master
I offer Clarity through Reiki healing sessions, and Holistic Career Coaching and Facilitating Teams to professional wellness. I use various tools and methods to speak, write, and provide 1.1 counsel to move out of the stuck into the actions that help you or your teams reach their goals.I found my way because I had to create it.
As a working parent and a sandwich caregiver in my early 30s, I understand the pressures to keep going, provide for my family and prioritize everyone else’s wellbeing.

I looked in many corners and could not find one coach to break into my inner blockages and move my career until Reiki and a Career Coach got me there. We can be all the things to everyone, but first, we must get aligned and intuitively move forward for our own .