I actually did it. I called in sick. I had crawled back into bed ten minutes before I was supposed to leave for work, which is not normal for me. I hardly ever call in sick, and would prefer to wear a mask and take medicine than to take a day off. But on that morning my throat hurt so bad that it felt like it exploded up to my ears. I submitted lesson plans and let my administrators know I was going to be out and went back to bed for four more hours. I am a morning person and I usually get up between 1-2 hours before I leave my house around 6:30am. Sometimes there are days when my body says, “That’s enough!” and it usually comes in the form of me getting sick. So I have to listen.
What about my writing on these days? Sometimes a sick day is good for writing because I can stay in one position and type away, being productive and restful at the same time. Mostly, though, I sit on my couch with a book or a movie and get lost in the worlds that someone else has created. Those adult coloring books are fantastic for listening to favorite music or a book.
One of my newfound favorites—granted, my mom has been trying to get me into it for years!—is a “yoga while sick” video. I’ve used this several times and after twenty minutes it reminds me to get at least one productive thing done that day. This is one of my favorite instructors, as I started using her videos last year during my off-days for running. It’s practical and happy, which remind me to take care of my body and still take time to do what’s best.
Everyone’s sick days are going to look different. But (preaching to the choir here!) don’t forget to relax and enjoy the day! It’s hard for me to remember that I don’t have to complete a running to-do list. The work days will come soon enough! Take the day to REST!
The next day I went to work with a mask and cancelled my weekend plans. It’s hard to miss out on people I’m familiar with when I live in a town where I don’t know many people. But overall, I think it will be better to rest up than to attempt to go places while not feeling up to it. This reminds me of a book that I read on setting boundaries, by Allison Fallon. Sometimes I need to stop and take care of myself. Instead of a ballet concert and coffee with friends, my weekend consisted of going to sleep at 7:15pm and sleeping twelve hours. Taking medicine and drinking my peach ginger tea. Reading my Bible and snuggling with my cat. Catching up on drawing. Finishing a book and writing some new scenes in my WIP. Binging favorite seasons on Netflix.
Not what I had planned for my weekend, but it paid off and I am still doing work that I enjoy. Sometimes doing what I want to do comes mixed with things that might not always be a walk in the park. More on that later.
Until then, rest up, breathe, and remember that everyone’s self care looks different. What does this look like for you? I’d love to hear your thoughts!