When the world shifted to remote work in 2020 during Covid , I found myself surprisingly at ease in this new chapter of life. As someone who\u2019s equally happy in a quiet space and with a good crowd, I loved the independence of working from home. Those early lockdown days turned into a \u201cgolden era\u201d\u2014a time where I could dive into hobbies, tackle work tasks in my own rhythm, and create a life that felt perfectly balanced. I had my own routine, my own space, and a newfound freedom.\n<\/p>\n
Then came the inevitable \u201creturn-to-office\u201d emails, nudging us back in stages\u2014first two days a week, then three. For someone who had settled so comfortably into the rhythm of home, this shift felt monumental, like being asked to uproot a carefully tended garden. I could almost feel the resistance rising up, a weight pressing against the idea of leaving my quiet, controlled space to dive back into an office environment that now felt foreign and overwhelming.<\/p>\n
The thought of giving up the independence and the blend of work and personal routines I\u2019d come to love felt like scaling a mountain I hadn\u2019t signed up to climb.<\/p>\n
As I started going back into the office, I found myself looking beyond my own projects, seeing the company\u2019s broader vision and the unique needs of our different locations. That\u2019s when I spotted an opportunity: to create something that didn\u2019t exist before. Along with the help and support of other colleagues and leaders, I founded a UX\/UI community\u2014a kind of Meetup.com-style network within the company. What started as a simple idea to connect with others in the UX\/UI space soon turned into a thriving hub, with regular tech talks, workshops, and a growing network of talented people all driven by a shared passion for design and technology.<\/p>\n
Leading this community became one of the most rewarding challenges of my career. Suddenly, I wasn\u2019t just attending meetings or delivering work; I was shaping a vision, organizing events, and even mentoring others who were eager to grow. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, transforming me into a leader with responsibilities I hadn\u2019t foreseen.<\/p>\n
Each event brought new faces, fresh ideas, and a deeper sense of purpose. And through this, I realized the power of simply showing up\u2014of being there, listening, sharing, and creating a place where people could connect in meaningful ways.\n<\/p>\n
One unexpected bonus of returning to the office was reconnecting with my public speaking skills. I used to be a confident speaker, but over the past five or six years, those skills hadn\u2019t been tested, especially with the shift to Zoom. Speaking to hundreds of people on a screen often felt lonely and one-sided, with no real-time feedback or connection.<\/p>\n