you need to slow down.

 

Yesterday I started to feel super sick; flu or covid? no idea. But for the first time in my recent job I called in sick and I felt guilty about it. 

I felt guilty that I would be letting my team down and that I'll miss pay (I'm on probation and don't have paid sick leave) which is absolutely ridiculous. My team would want me to look after myself and my health is much more important than like $200. 

It really highlights the toxic productivity/hustle culture that we have; the way that we need to be constantly working and being productive that even the thought of looking after ourselves seems ridiculous. 

And throughout my day, there have been many times where intrusive thoughts entered my mind like 'I should watch a lecture', 'I need to work on my assignment due next week', 'I should get out of bed and do something productive'. 

All of which is counter-productive considering the best way to recover fully from illness is to rest. 

Here is your reminder that it is okay to slow down. 

When you are sick, you need to slow down.

If you are sick, you cannot show up as your best self to do the things that you want, and need to do.

Slow down.