How to transition back to office after 2+ years fully remote?

The biggest thing is easing into it gradually instead of going full-time all at once. If your company allows, maybe negotiate starting with 2-3 days in the office per week for the first month, then ramping up from there. This gives your brain time to readjust to the commute, the office environment, and being around people all day. You'll also figure out what actually works for your routine without getting overwhelmed immediately.

Plan the practical stuff ahead - know your commute time, maybe scout it out beforehand, get your workspace sorted so you're not spending energy on that stuff when you're already tired from the transition. Pack your bag the night before, sort out your lunch situation (bringing it vs buying it), anything that removes friction. The first few weeks you'll probably be more drained than you expect, so don't overload yourself with other stuff.

Mentally, remember that it's normal to feel rusty around people or find the noise level jarring at first. A lot of folks underestimate how much they got used to their home setup. Give yourself grace if you need headphones sometimes or want to take breaks alone. Most people adjust way faster than they think they will, usually within 3-4 weeks things feel pretty normal again.

Your body's circadian rhythm takes about two weeks to fully reset when you change your commute and schedule. I went back after a long stretch working from home and made the mistake of jumping straight to five days - spent the first week absolutely exhausted, couldn't focus in the afternoon, and realized I'd gotten used to sleeping in and working in silence. What actually helped was negotiating those hybrid days upfront, but also treating the first few weeks like you're retraining yourself: consistent wake-up time, getting outside during lunch, and being honest with yourself about what your energy actually allows instead of powering through.