September
18
Justin was sick this week. He wasn’t feeling well on Monday and came home from work. He then stayed home for 2 more days.
I couldn’t stand it!
He wasn’t that sick and I did not understand why he was staying home. I know I would have gone to work in much worse health and sucked it up and suffered through. Also he was planning to take days off for my birthday and now would he even have the time? I mean, he was off for some days already so why would he take more days off so soon. That would be crazy!
PLUS, he will be taking time in January to be with his mom and he might need time off when our friend Brittney is in town the same month. I just do not understand how he can take off so much time and still be a responsible worker.
Of course we all know this is not an issue with Justin. This is really an issue with me. An issue about jealousy.
I am jealous when he is sick he really takes time to call out and recover. He puts himself first and allows himself the time to heal. When he calls out, he doesn’t feel guilty or worries about work. He really just spends his time feeling better.
Justin also takes more time off to take care of things in his life and spend time with friends and family. He takes more vacations than I do. When he seems to get time off at work, he uses it within a short time.
I, on the other hand, feel bad when I take time off. I work through being sick. I rarely take vacations or time off for friends and family. Even when I do, I feel guilty and make promises to myself that I will make sure I am not out for at least 60 or more days until next time I am off. I check and respond to emails and calls. I will even show up at meetings even though it is my scheduled time off.
This is just another example how I am not present in my life. That I am not taking the time to put me first. I am meeting the needs of others (businesses, employers, etc) before I even check to see if my needs are met.
I know many of my friends who live like Justin and have great lives. I know many people who live like I do and they seem to be missing something like me.
We are missing our needs. We are missing putting ourselves first.
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Robert
on 18 Sep 2009 at 12:43 pm #
YOu just save your sick days so we can go to Halloween Horror nights all night and stay out late… Oh wait, if your boss is reading this… Just kidding..
Mike
on 19 Sep 2009 at 9:33 am #
uh oh, that’s kind of like looking in the mirror. I guess I need some more “me” time in my life. Thanks for the reminder!
Felecia PN
on 20 Sep 2009 at 8:32 am #
OMG!!! I was SICK AS A DOG on friday when you posted this and it was like looking in a mirror! Even with a fever I went into the office to finish work that maybe coud have waited but that I felt needed to be done. After reading this I did see I needed to go back to bed and stay there until my body says that it is ready and not a minute before! Now granted I am feeling a little better but weak as a kitten but I am going to be like Justin and just take it easy!
Becky
on 22 Sep 2009 at 11:34 am #
I had a sick day last week cuz of another fire ant reaction. I now have a phobia.
(Ps. Can you e-mail me at work, got a new computer and lost your address, need to send you something). Thanksssssssssss.
Becky
on 22 Sep 2009 at 1:40 pm #
PS….EVERYONE needs to take sick days when they are sick. By going to work, you take it with you making other people sick. This drives me nuts!!! People really need to use their sick days this year with the swine flu because it’s no joke.
Michael
on 22 Sep 2009 at 2:29 pm #
Becky,
You have me so freaked about the swine flu now. I cleaned my house twice.
Kahnrad
on 20 Oct 2009 at 6:07 am #
This ties in nicely with your more recent post, “Tired of Renting Out My Life”… Seriously! I have always been “Justin”… When I’m not well, I’m just wasting the company’s money being unproductive and at the same time not allowing myself to rest and get well, so I stay home.
Company’s don’t care if you’re sick or not, they just want your time (all of it if you’ll let ‘em!) – Taking care of yourself is super important.
Nice post, and awesome that you realized the situation wasn’t about Justin, but about you. Good job.