Can I tell you a story?
I’ve worked at the hospital for almost SEVEN years now (no, I am NOT a nurse), which Β is officially the longest time I’ve ever been with a company. Since my very first job, where I waitressed in a little mom & pop-style restaurant at 15 years old (paid under the table…hush, hush), I’ve always given everything I’ve got. I feel a sense of pride with any title I carry and I can’t help but form family-like ties with my coworkers…I mean, heck, when you spend more time at work than you do at home, it’s only natural. Besides, there’s no “i” in life, right? Wait, I mean…uh, never mind! π
Ok, let’s get to the REAL story…
Last week was rough…on top of being busy, I was sleeping very little and feeling a bit under the weather. So come Thursday, I was seriously patting myself on the back for having the foresight to book myself a massage that night. My plan was this: hour-long massage > bubble bath > glass (possibly bottle) of wine > Benedryl > bed…where I hoped to slip into the best drug-induced coma possible.
As I pulled into the parking lot of the spa, I got a call. It was work, asking if I could come in that night because the regular tech was sick.Β I sat there…in my car…staring at the door to the spa…and literally could not form words for nearly two minutes. I was a little upset, but my immediate thought was to agree to work. I couldn’t cancel my massage without being charged, but I could still get it AND get to the hospital IF I hurried.
But…
But I was scheduled for call on Friday night AND Saturday…hence the reason for the “party girl” plan on a Thursday. What if the tech was too sick to make it in for the rest of the week? What if I ended up working ELEVEN days straight?? My gut told me to say no, so that’s what I did. I knew that with a week of averaging 4-5 hours of sleep a night AND feeling a bit sickly myself, I needed to take care of ME, but I still I couldn’t seem to shake that twinge of guilt…
UNTIL I got on that table and had one of the best massages ever! When I told her about some migraines I’d been having, my therapist practiced some reflexology and I could actually feel my scalp tingling…as she was rubbing my FEET! Afterwards, I went home, and carried out my plan as…well, planned. I’m sure Meghan would be proud! π
Then I went to bed and slept for TEN HOURS!
Since then, my throat has quit hurting and I haven’t had any headaches. I’ve even had a bit of energy…which looked to be jussssssst enough to get me through a shift on Saturday (since the tech was indeed to sick to work the rest of the week…luckily Friday was covered) without a nap…hence the brain-dead ending to Sunday’s post.
Moral of the story:
Wine and chocolate are a girl’s best friends.
Always trust your gut.
And never EVER feel guilty for taking care of YOU!
And since I actually thought ahead and planned this post for today, I’m super excited to be linking up today’s post for my very FIRST Treat Yourself Tuesday hosted by the lovely Becky of Olives ‘n Wine! Be sure to head over and check out all the other links to see just how everyone else has been TREATING themselves this week!
What’s the last thing you did for yourself?
Do you struggle with guilt for putting yourself first?
DON’T!!
One important thing I have to note here is that you work at a hospital, where people need the best care possible. If you aren’t feeling 100% yourself, you’ll be off your game. You have the right to take a night off and feel better, because that way you can go in and do your job well when you’re actually scheduled! I’m so glad that your guilt went away because you definitely do more than your part from what I can tell. I love this post. Self-care is undoubtedly essential! And now I want a massage that makes my scalp tingle.
I HATE those calls! They always leave me feeling guilty if I say no and usually overly exhausted when I say yes. Good for you for listening to what YOU needed and giving yourself that night off. π
I love that you said no to work, Heather! It’s so important to take care of yourself, especially with the lack of sleep you were having and the fact that you weren’t feeling well. So proud of you for listening to your body and giving yourself a break!
This is SUCH a good reminder! I’m awful at saying no to things, without feeling absolutely guilty. It’s hard to remember that sometimes you just NEED to put yourself first! Good for you, doing what you needed π
The last thing I did for myself… was go shopping. I had some extra income and treated myself to a few new dresses for wedding events I have coming up! I don’t really feel guilty, unless it’s something expensive since I don’t have much income at the moment. When my paychecks get bigger, hopefully I won’t have that guilt problem!
massages are the BEST treat, I just got one the other week too. I felt like my body was hit by a bat in a good way π
I am SO PROUD OF YOU! That is all. π
OOOO I have been wanting to try those chocolates. Chocolate and wine have soo many antioxidants. And it’s fruit, dairy, so many food groups. π
Guilt is such an awful feeling – way to treat yourself and NOT feel guilty! And you’ve now reminded me that I need a massage in a bad way. Maybe it’ll be on the schedule for next week π Thanks for linking up!
I love this!! I worked relief at one of my old jobs, and I always felt like I had to take every call I got…even if they were asking me to do an overnight awake shift in like 3 hours. Eventually, I had to learn to turn them down if I really wasn’t feeling up to it!
Oh goodness, Brookside chocolates. Those things are amazing.
good for you! I’ve worked the night shift off and on for over 7 years.. mostly off the last couple of years because I’m in school full time…. but you need to take care of yourself first!
You have to take care of yourself once and awhile. It really does and will take its toll on your body. I am glad you were able to get some peace and relax, it’s obvious that your body needed it. No guilt lady!
I need that much sleep!
Yes! Could not agree more. I’ve made some bigger decisions revolving around my career that put myself first and I felt like such a slacker for doing it, but I’ve come to peace with my decisions and it feels so good to have some me time! Now, I want to book a massage ASAP. Just looking at that table makes me feel all relaxed…
I’m more proud of you for saying No and decided to take care of yourself than following through on a plan. Good Job Mama. You have come a long way, and I’m so glad you’re seeing the positive results of that. Two snaps and a twirl.
Now pass me that bottle of wine. π
last week when I got broccoli bombed I was in a massage. I never spend that kind of money on myself. Well my old job covered massages (Canada is awesome) but my new job is part-time so it doesn’t. Money well spent though and I came home and polished off a bottle of wine with the man and netflix marathoned it. Perfection and exactly what I needed..
That…sounds…like Heaven! Good for you, lady!
YES! Good for you! Honestly I’m the type of person who always said “no” when my summer job workplaces called and asked me to come in when I wasn’t scheduled (unless they were in a real pinch). Maybe you could call me selfish and uncommitted, but I know myself and I know that I burn out and have a big drop in my mood if I don’t get enough days off. It’s important to know what we need to thrive and to not be afraid to put our feet down! π
Amen!! And I don’t consider that selfish or uncommitted at all…if anything, that’s just a strong testament to how in sync you are with your body which is amazing! Go girlie!
YES. I’m so glad you said no and put yourself first. I used to be the biggest YES man and doormat (and ironically, how funny we both wrote about this on a Tuesday…must be the amazing vibe!) but I’ve learnt to be unapologetic and not feeling selfish for putting myself first- It’s been a long time coming and hell yes to a guilt party of ZERO.
Love love love. So hard to say no, but so important!
I LOVE a massage, there’s nothing quite like it! And we all deserve to indulge ourselves every once in a while. I should definitely book up tomorrow…I haven’t had one since August!
Oh yeah, you are WAY overdue for some table time! Book that appointment girlie! π
Oh girl, you gotta take care of YOU first and foremost… A lesson I’ve been learning and relearning these past few weeks. I’ve just needed to spend time acing my finals, doing laundry, and spending time with loved ones rather than blogging and such. You get it ;).
Treat yoself, baby!
I totally get it! We just try to stretch ourselves too thin sometimes. Just have to remember that it’s normal to not be able to do “everything” and if we don’t take care of us then how are we going to take care of anything/one else?! Hope things are going well for you, sweets! Love you!