So I’m up at 2:00 am with the compulsion to note that I’ve already broken one of my blogging goals this year: to blog daily. Unfortunately, I was struck down today with a fierce migraine which, until now, kept me in bed hiding from noise and light. My dedication has not wavered, but I know had I not flushed away the migraine it would be worse tomorrow, taking me out of the count for work for two days instead of one.
So quickly I’ll pose a question for my fellow workaholics out there – how do you deal with the guilt associated with being sick? You WANT to work, but just can’t. Are there techniques you employ or a mantra you tell yourself? How do you avoid the guilt associated with taking a day off to take care of yourself when you’re a workaholic?
Share… let the healing begin!
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I get migraines every once in awhile as well, so I can relate. They are terrible and I can relate to not being able to work, but still wanting to. I think you have to remind yourself that it's ok to have a down day every once in awhile. Also, the blog isn't going anywhere. As long as you don't make a habit of taking time off, you'll be ok. Hope you get well soon!
Thanks – I'm better already but it's deflating!
I am certainly looking forward to hearing some advice about this, I am completely the same, if its illness or even just being out of the office all day with meetings, I am starting to come round to the idea of a work/play balance but not there yet!
I've been holding steady at my breaking point for over a week now — with ONE too many things with deadlines right on top of each other — An overzellous work road trip yesterday was cut short after I slid through a stop sign on icy roads in a town in Timbucktoo; elderly people that witnessed it followed me until I stopped to yell at me about how disrespectful I was to run a stop sign in their town – with the old man hollering – “I've died twice since July – I sure don't need your help” — I appoligized and said I was quiet shaken too… they didn't seem to “get that” and continued with their reprimand for what seemed like an eternity — At about 3:30p – I finally broke down at a gas station when I went in seeking directions – and found out that the “road” I was supposed to take will indeed get me to where I need to be – but it's a logging trail — and not recommended… without chains on my tires, warm clothes and food in case I get stuck “out there” – forget cell service. So there was a whole leg of work that didn't get done – but I NEEDED to call it a day – as it was, shortly after that decision — I encountered a guy who had driven off into the ditch – he was fine, shaken – and couldn't remember how to use his cell phone to call his wife for help — so I helped him and called the police. I felt like these were signs or something – to SLOW down, take it easy, take care of you… I called my boss – couldn't reach her — have the guilt that she's screening her calls — I left her a message that “it is what it is” – and I'll figure the rest out tomorrow — that night – total meltdown while talking with my husband about the craziness I'm experiencing at present — my cold that's been clinging for a week feels worse, and oh yeah — the body aches are traced to bruises I sustained after I fell at a clien'ts the other day — I fell hard – a$$ over tea kettle or some clishe — but I laughed it off at the time as embarrassment – knowing it'll hurt later — well now it's later – my knee is swollen like a grapefruit, I ache everywhere, there's not enough Dayquill in the world to make me feel better — I called in sick today — I've already spent 2 hours working from home because I have guilt about not getting things done… I applogized to our secretary for any inconvenience this may cause — I NEEDED TODAY for ME — so instead of being in bed like I should – I'm searching for a remedy for my guilt —
The most frustrating thing for me is — I HATE DRAMA — I don't want to hear about it in the workplace, I feel like speople bring it on themselves — and here I AM MIRED in my own DRAMA – I just need to let it go — start over on Monday – and leave it behind me — sometimes crappy things happen to good people, and then it's done. The guilt thing though really bothers me – – I SHOULD NOT FEEL GUILTY — I think anyone reading the above would recognize I need a day – maybe a week away – maybe therapy at this point… but it still nags at me — If I can try and help anyone else – and talk myself through to some level of rationalization — I would say all this guilt — stems from perfectionism — if I don't do something the absolute best I can – It really takes a toll – and that's ridiculus — I heard a great saying the other day – I've been trying to use as a mantra — pass it along if it works for you — “Even when God created the world – he looked around and said – it was good… not PERFECT — It was GOOD.”
So thank you for the share-a-py… vital in my steps to get on with things — and stop dwelling — if nothing else – it's a comfort to know that other good, normal, contiencious people go rounds with this undeserved guilt thing too —
Sleep aid is kicking in now – thank GOd! Take care!