IF IT AIN’T BROKE (SO WHY FIX IT?)

ork is a topic I usually steer clear of here, largely due to the strict social media policies that govern my professional life. However, it’s such a significant part of my day-to-day that I’ve been looking for ways to share my experiences—suitably sanitised, of course—to keep the powers that be in the ivory tower happy.

I’ve always enjoyed what I do, but lately, office politics have cast a long shadow over everything. My philosophy has always been to stay as long as I’m enjoying the role, but I’ll be honest: I’m finding it harder to leave the stress at the office door. If I’m being candid, options feel a little more limited at my age, and that sense of being "trapped" only makes the current atmosphere more suffocating.

We could be facing a potential reorganisation. It’s not because the team is underperforming; it feels like change for change’s sake—or perhaps a line manager wanting to flex their influence. It is incredibly unsettling to have a settled, successful routine thrown into chaos for no discernable reason. I’ve spent years building a rhythm with a brilliant colleague; we are a proven team. Now, I’m training a new starter with the looming threat that this will be my new permanent partner.

It’s not about the new person—it’s about the mental exhaustion of unnecessary disruption. At this point in my career, I’ve earned the right to stability. If this manager insists on fixing what isn't broken, I may have to look elsewhere for my own peace of mind. My work partner is already eyeing the exit, and frankly, the thought of losing that support system is the heaviest weight of all. Change is fine when it’s constructive, but right now, it just feels like a burden.

On a brighter note, I’ve had a much-needed distraction from office politics recently. Last weekend, we celebrated my mother-in-law’s milestone birthday. If I’m honest, I’ve never been a huge fan of family parties—which is probably why I’ve always conveniently managed to be away for my own milestones! Still, the main thing is that she had a wonderful time and made some fantastic memories.

If you appreciate the stark resilience of northern life—and the persistence it takes to stand your ground when things aren't broken—you'll find those same echoes in my webcomic, Northman. While I’m navigating the shifting sands of office reorganisations and the "ivory tower," my characters are facing far more predictable (if more dangerous) foes across the rugged landscapes of Jorvikshire. Sometimes, the treacherous terrain of a fantasy world feels more straightforward than the politics of the workplace.

Read the latest chapter here: northman.kirt.me.uk

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