When is returning to the office really worth it?

We all have different ideas about what we like about office culture and what we don’t. Maybe you appreciate having some reason to get out of bed in the morning and put pants on. Maybe you like the routine of gathering yourself on your commute, listening to a good podcast, and stopping at your favorite coffee shop. Maybe you enjoy seeing your coworkers face-to-face and find it easier to have empathy for them when you know them a little bit better. Maybe you appreciate being able to reach across the table and ask a question or have a discussion, instead of having to conduct it all over a messaging app. But every job is different, and not all jobs require the same sense of in-person camaraderie. Some jobs are independent by nature and are only disrupted by the need to share a space with other people.