It’s very tempting to just brute force your way through the fatigue to get to done. I’ve pulled 23 hour shifts to do just that, but paid a heavy price. Once deadline was met, I was out for a week, using vacation for recovery instead of true r and r.
Everybody was working long shifts, including managers. Mandatory 20% overtime, but obviously I did more than that. Our managers would get meals for everyone. The record continuous shift on our team was 38.5 hours. And we were union, which shows how much the union actually helped us. LOL.
That line about being sick and staying home.... I can't imagine what it's like to be dealing with an actual chronic condition at the same time....
I've mentally been there a few times, though. I gave in a few times too...
Against better judgement, I went in anyway semi-recently and sort of short-circuited. I ended up doing some writing to save my sanity. What popped out was honestly... A little like a manic version of your piece here... Maybe one of these days I'll work up the courage to publish that 😅
I thought about not publishing that, but I decided it would be good for me to define the main purpose of my Substack and look back to it for guidance on what to write from time to time. It might just resonate with someone else out there. You have no idea how many people I've worked with that were silently managing autoimmune illnesses or chronic illness behind the scenes. They were all amazing at what they did and very productive, but there was always a hidden cost behind the scenes.
The trouble with fatiguing at work is that the body is very resilient and has ways to keep you going even when your optimal levels are declining.
If you’re also a ‘doer’ and take satisfaction in getting things done, that can all mask your need for r and r.
It’s very tempting to just brute force your way through the fatigue to get to done. I’ve pulled 23 hour shifts to do just that, but paid a heavy price. Once deadline was met, I was out for a week, using vacation for recovery instead of true r and r.
Oh wow, and it takes the body some time to recover from intense periods like that , but there's only so much vacation you can take.
And I take it your manager never questioned your long shifts?
Everybody was working long shifts, including managers. Mandatory 20% overtime, but obviously I did more than that. Our managers would get meals for everyone. The record continuous shift on our team was 38.5 hours. And we were union, which shows how much the union actually helped us. LOL.
Oh wow that is some serious overtime.
At least your managers did the basics and got you guys food, it’s the minimum but it does show some degree of care.
But yeah when it comes to union, don’t get me started haha
That line about being sick and staying home.... I can't imagine what it's like to be dealing with an actual chronic condition at the same time....
I've mentally been there a few times, though. I gave in a few times too...
Against better judgement, I went in anyway semi-recently and sort of short-circuited. I ended up doing some writing to save my sanity. What popped out was honestly... A little like a manic version of your piece here... Maybe one of these days I'll work up the courage to publish that 😅
I thought about not publishing that, but I decided it would be good for me to define the main purpose of my Substack and look back to it for guidance on what to write from time to time. It might just resonate with someone else out there. You have no idea how many people I've worked with that were silently managing autoimmune illnesses or chronic illness behind the scenes. They were all amazing at what they did and very productive, but there was always a hidden cost behind the scenes.