About Unwritten

On my first day in the office, I was the first to arrive. Open office concept. “Sit anywhere you like,” they said.

Back then, IT was still on the 47th floor. Anyway, I went straight for the corner seat. Coat hanger, plenty of space and perfect view of the entire floor. I unpacked my things, settled in, and thought, This is great. I can see everything, everyone can see me.

Turns out… everyone except me knew that seat was reserved for the highest in command, lol and it wasn’t even my department. The throne. The spot where you watch the whole game play out and control the room without saying a word. Sometimes it’s earned. Sometimes it’s claimed by the one bold enough to plant themselves there and stay put.

Over time, I realised every seat in the office comes with its own rhythm. Sit next to decision-makers, and you’ll hear things before they’re announced. Tone shifts, side comments.. and the little signals that never make it into emails. Sit next to your teammates, and collaboration flows without the need for scheduled meetings. Ideas get tossed around casually, and small problems get solved before they turn into big ones.

The middle tables are always buzzing with energy and snacks close by. They also make you the office greeter whether you signed up for it or not. The aisle seats are for those who thrive on conversation, but also the ones who end up interrupted the most.

I like to circle around, depending on my mood and the kind of day I’m aiming for. Some days I want to be in the thick of it, catching the chatter and energy. Other days, I need to be invisible and tucked away so I can get things done quickly.

But my favourite will always be the seat near the window. The sun comes through the panel, warming my side of the desk. Every so often, I pause, look out, and see the world moving without me. It’s actually pretty damn therapeutic. People walking, cars passing… a gentle reminder that there’s life outside these walls. And it makes me want to finish my work, pack my bag, and step back into it.

In the office, your seat isn’t just about where you work. It’s about how you work, who you’re with, and sometimes, the reminder of what you want to get back to.