I got lucky for sure. A lot of my friends in the office tried to keep working from home after covid and got let go. I just happened to time it perfectly where I asked a little later, after the higher ups got worried they were letting too much of the younger talent go by being so rigid with the in-office mandate.

I thought for sure they'd let me go when they found a replacement willing to be in the office, but it's been years and none of the new hires in my department have picked it up nearly well enough to take over my responsibilities. I think it's settled down enough by now that I'm pretty safe with my work from home exception.