A New Office and an Unexpected Routine

Well, the news is out… we officially moved into our new office! Can I get a 'Whoop whoop.'

Now, if you know me or have worked with me for any amount of time, you’ll appreciate this: since joining Colliers in 2017, I have heard we were “moving offices” approximately once a year. Every year there was a rumor. Every year there was a conversation. Every year there was a plan.

So when discussions started again last year, I refused to believe it until I physically saw the new space with my own eyes.

And phew, is it gorgeous.

After hearing about this move for nearly nine years, it almost felt surreal walking through the doors on day one. One of those moments where you think, “Wait… this is actually happening.”

The office has incredible views overlooking the Roebling Bridge and the river. The natural light is amazing. The space feels fresh, collaborative, and energizing.

But surprisingly, my favorite thing about the move has not been the office itself.

It’s the routine I’ve accidentally created... Every morning this week, I’ve grabbed a cup of coffee, sat down on the couch overlooking the river, and just… paused.

No emails.

No Teams messages.

No questions.

No projects.

Just me, my coffee, and a few quiet moments before the day begins.

And I’ve realized something... I think this needs to stay.

One of my favorite things to do on vacation is wake up before everyone else. I grab a cup of coffee and sit outside while the world is still quiet.

Those moments have always felt sacred to me.

No agenda.

No rushing.

No expectations.

Just stillness.

It’s funny because I don’t really have that opportunity at home. First, I don’t even have a coffee maker. Second, after boxing in the morning, I have about thirty minutes to shower, get ready, and get out the door. There isn’t much time left for slow mornings.

So somehow this new office has unexpectedly given me back something I’ve been missing... A moment to breathe. A moment to think. A moment to level-set before the day starts throwing a million things my way.

And if you know me, you know that is probably something I need more of.

I am someone who likes to be moving, I like projects, I like having plans for the plans. My husband would probably tell you that I struggle to sit still for more than five minutes before finding something productive to do.

But lately I’ve been learning that not every moment has to be optimized. Not every minute has to be productive. Sometimes the most valuable thing you can do is sit quietly with a cup of coffee and watch the river flow by.

A lot of life happens in the small moments:

• The first sip of coffee.

• A conversation with a coworker.

• Sunlight coming through the windows.

• Looking up from your laptop long enough to appreciate the view.

Those tiny moments are easy to overlook because they don’t seem significant. But they’re often the moments we remember most.

So while everyone else is celebrating the new office, I’m over here celebrating something a little different... A couch. A cup of coffee. A view of the river. And five quiet minutes that belong entirely to me before the chaos begins.

Turns out sometimes the best thing a new office can give you isn’t a new workspace. It’s a new perspective.

Sipping coffee and pretending I have my life together,

-CC