Where to begin? I suppose I should start with the story of the last few days which can be summarised thusly: ‘the good, the bad, and the downright shitty’. As I write I am somewhere between bad and downright shitty which although not ideal is a whole lot more ideal than just plain downright shitty….
I’m currently signed off from work owing to the downright shittiness that descended on Sunday morning. Being off work is an unusual state of affairs for me and I’m not entirely sure how I feel about it. All I know is that I got to Monday morning (somehow) and it became blindingly obvious to me that I couldn’t carry on going on the way I was going on. My GP and my employer agreed.
Thankfully, it’s a short term ‘rest’ rather than long term sickness. I think a period of long term sickness would drive me mad (ho ho). I’m expected and expecting to be fit to return to work next Tuesday on a ‘phased return’, which would probably be a bit extreme were it not for the extent of the downright shittiness that has been upon me. By the way I’m not going to tell you about the downright shittiness – I’m hoping you will take my word for it: it was DOWNRIGHT SHITTY SHITTINESS for a little while there.
It’s tough enough for anyone to admit that they aren’t coping, but I manage to make it double difficult on myself, because coping is the only thing I do well: whatever the horror in my head, however low I go I make it my priority to function because I don’t want to let people down. I don’t want people to make allowances, or worry about me, or (to be honest) know how bad things have really got for me.
Trouble is that’s pretty much the same as pretending and you can only play make believe with your broken brain for so long….
In the end, for me it came down to a simple choice. Take a break, and go back to work in stages or find myself being a gibbering wreck, probably in hospital and definitely unable to work for a considerable amount of time. As tough as it’s been to say ‘Help!’ and ‘I need to stop’, I feel like I’m doing the right thing and taking care of myself (possibly for the first time in my life)
So I finally said it – in no uncertain terms: things are bad and I can’t cope. Truth told, I already feel like I’m coping better just for having said it. I don’t have to be ‘strong’ all of the time or rather perhaps I’ve misunderstood ‘strength’. I suppose you could call it a lesson well learned.
Lots of love,
WeeGee xx
How do you eat an elephant? 
As everyone else has already said, good on you for asking for help and taking care of yourself. I hope your rest does you the word of good.
Me too! I already feel much better about things too 🙂
good for you letting yourself re-couperate for a bit. It can keep you from having to take a lot more time off work later 😉
That’s the plan… 🙂
Hey – good on you for doing what you need FOR YOU. Good on you for recognising when things need to just stop for a while. I know it’s hard to ask for help and hard to admit to feeling unable to be okay. But you did it =) Hoping that you feel better soon. I am only a text away if you get bored and want a chat. xx
Thanks sweetheart. I feel much better about things already…. sometimes you just need a rest I guess.
I feel you, once again we are on the same wave length. I had six weeks off in the end, but that was my fault for pushing myself for the last three years, had I have confronted this three years ago, maybe it would only have been a few days? Just rest your body and your brain, I felt so much better not having to put on the front for a while. The front is back on now……. but, y’know, it’s never gonna be normal in here is it??
Love and hugs, take care xoxoxox
I don’t mind about normal, so long as I can ‘cope’. I know I need a rest and it actually makes a nice change to have the space to do that. I could’ve pushed on, I guess, but it was doing no good. Maybe that’s what ‘taking care of yourself’ is all about? Hope you are okay lovely?
xxx
Good for you! This is a HUGE step and this type of growth (at least in my case) is incredibly uncomfortable and scary from the outset. But I’m learning like you, it’s a process.
My Neurologist told me years ago it is always a good sign when people ask for help. That sure put a brighter perspective on it than how I was feeling at the time. Cheers & hugs! 🙂
We just have to keep on learning don’t we, and trust it will be okay in the end. Hugs back at you lovely xx
Yes, I agree. And as Winston Churchill said so well, “Never, never, never, never give up!” 🙂
Way to go WeeGee for making yourself and your well being priority!! I’m so proud of you and I hope you can enjoy the break guilt free!
I needed the break and it’s nice to have the space to put my head back in order for a change xx
wonderful, i hope you are able to get some rest!
weegee remember im always an email away from you if you need me
Oh – you are a sweetie 🙂 I know where you are and how could i forget your lovely self xx
You are so brave WeeGee. Big hugs and lots of strength to you 🙂 x
Thanks Madness42 – I like a big hug, me 😉
Hope you’re well? xx
It’s been a bit mad here… but I’m getting there, I think. Wherever “there” is!
I am very proud of you Wee! xxx
Thanks lovely. It feels good to do the right thing for once! xx
I can empathize with you on how hard it is to ask for help. I have a terrible time myself. Keep hanging in there, it’s bound to get better. And congrats on asking – that’s a huge step. 🙂
Thanks mental Mama 🙂 It is a big step, but once you’ve taken it you wonder what all the worry was about… xx