I was one of those people who turned over thanks to return to office. In the two years between the start of the pandemic and when RTO happened at my company, I bought a house (which requires upkeep), moved farther away from the office (from 5 miles away to 20), and had a kid.

Once you taste the freedom of being able to do laundry, wash the dishes, mow the lawn, etc., with the free time you’re saving by not having to commute, it’s really hard to give it up.

Likewise, my wife switched from a full time in-person job to a full remote job which eventually turned into a 2 days per week in office, then 3, job, and it’s getting harder and harder to manage. We’re hoping she can change departments within the company to a team that’s full remote.

I genuinely don’t know how people made it work with kids before. If I was spending an extra 3 hours a day “on the clock” (but not getting paid for those) commuting, taking an unpaid lunch, etc., I literally wouldn’t have a single minute to engage with my hobbies or hang out with my wife, my house would be a mess, and more.