Office Work Mandates

You know how some people are so sad or depressed they can't get out of bed?

I think I'm so sad or depressed I can't sleep.

After 6 years of hybrid work arrangements, my employer mandated a 4-day in-house work week this month. No one is happy about it. The first week, many departments were empty all 5 days. As I walked the building, any time I came across two or more people together, they were talking in whispers. And those who continued their conversations after seeing me approach were talking smack about the new policy.

At 5pm Friday after that first week, I already started dreading the next Monday. Sunday Scaries began immediately. 

I'm typing this Sunday morning because I haven't been able to fall asleep yet Saturday night.

The few days I had to recuperate and recover are being wasted with feelings of sadness and loss.

Yes. Yes. I *know* four days in office isn't as bad as 5 days in. And yes, yes, it's not as bad as other people's working conditions. 

Someone else's two broken legs being worse than my one broken leg does not negate the pain of having only one broken leg, though.

This sucks, and it hurts, and it's weighing so heavily on me that I cannot rest properly.

And I *like* my job, you guys.

I'm just so tired and sad.