Growing up my parents taught me that if you’re too sick to [insert responsibility here] then you’re too sick to [insert something that makes you happy here].
It took me a really long time to unlearn this. When I would get sick or have a “bad day” I would deprive myself of anything that made me happy. Watching movies, eating something I enjoyed, going for a walk, playing video games or just browsing online looking at funny cat videos. I wouldn’t let myself do these things because I was always told that if I’m too sick to go to work, or do homework, or go to school then I must be too sick to play Mortal Kombat or watch Unsolved Mysteries lol.
Whenever I wouldn’t feel good, which I later learned as an adult was due to sleep deprivation caused by my ADHD and depression (and of course the depression itself would cause me to feel like shit), my parents would tell me “if you’re not throwing up, then you’re not sick.” And when I would stay home from school (or even work in my later teen years) my parents would make sure that I didn’t have any “fun.” No TV, no movies, no games, no going outside, no arts and crafts, no books, no nothing. Just lay in bed and feel miserable.
I’m happy to say that I no longer do this to myself. Now when I’m having a bad day or I’m sick (cold, flu or whatever) I allow myself to do the things (within reason lol) that I actually love doing. If I’m not too sick to step outside for a few minutes then I’ll go for a walk. I’ll watch my favorite movies and if it’s a bad day or a cold (something that doesn’t hinder my appetite too much) I’ll eat my favorite foods. I don’t guilt trip myself anymore for having a “sick day.”
Just because you’re sick (whether physically, emotionally or mentally) doesn’t mean that you can’t do things you enjoy. You’re not any less sick because you watch TV. You’re not any less sick because you’re playing video games.
Actually you SHOULD be doing these things when you’re not feeling good because they make you feel better. The better you feel, the faster your heal.
Thank you! I needed to read this.
oh. oH. OH. I needed this omfg
Staying home from work when you feel sick means you are;
Not spreading disease to your coworkers
Trying to relax so your body can fight the disease faster without extra stress holding you back.
Too tired to concentrate for 8 hours straight
Too tired to do laborous physical activity for 8 hours straight
Not risking aggravating your symptoms and passing out or vomiting on the job
Staying home from work does not stop you from;
Doing relaxing things, like reading a book, browsing the internet, or watching a movie. These things take little mental effort, and are not comparable to working.
Doing some chores, ormildly laborious hobbies like knitting, writing, painting, or playing video games. Just because you are shedding germs that could make others sick doesn’t necessarily imply you are incapable of physical activity. Even people who are recovering from a surgery that removed an entire organ can knit and play video games while they heal. Part of their GUTS are missing and they are ENCOURAGED to do hobby stuff.
Going outside for a walk. Fresh air and the sight of trees and animals is actually proven to help you heal faster. It’s a verified form of physical and mental therapy. I encourage you to do it.
Feeling happy, feeling relaxed, feeling positive and stress-free; those things help you recover faster.
Take note of the COVID virus. Some people feel perfectly fine while infected. They might feel like they have a tiny cough, or a little tired, but they certainly are not bedridden.
However, it would SAVE LIVES if that infected person would STAY HOME and not go in to work or school.
To prevent the spread of disease to your classmates and coworkers is an ETHICALLY and MORALLY GOOD reason to stay home. You are a part of society. Extend that kindness to the folks around you.
Addition to this: the rationale of this among many parents us “my kid will fake sick to get out of school” - that was why I malingered so much as a kid. Neither of my parents ever wanted to examine why I hated school enough to induce vomiting to avoid it.
If you’re worried your kid is pretending to be sick, it’s worth examining why they would want to “pretend” that in the first place instead of assuming the worst of them and instilling in them the fear of being seen as “not sick enough” if they don’t perform misery to your standards.
Oh hey shit I wish I could have laminated for my mother years ago.
Alphonse Maria Mucha (1860-1939) - Champenois calendar, c.1898
Vintage poster. Printed by F. Champenois, Paris.
22 x 7.75 inches, 56 x 19.6 cm. Estimate: US17,000-20,000.
To be sold Poster Auctions Intl, New York, 20 March 2022.
The calendarium at the bottom is blank. Printed for an unrealised project, the image was repurposed (minus the calendarium) for the 1899 Champenois catalogue cover. This is one of only three known copies.
Do you know how hard it is to live with a cat that has the intelligence level of literally like a 3 year old but the pure chaos of a high ranking demon?
He’s learned to open the lazy Susan and won’t stop clawing open the flour and rolling in it like a little chinchilla
Criminal charges
Hey hey hey HEY
He’s been CRAWLING INTO THE BOTTOM CABINETS to TEAR OPEN THE INSTANT POTATOES and EAT BAGS AND BAGS OF THEM I’m livid but also impressed.
Do you have anything with that kind of texture that he can safely play with? This sounds like an understimulation issue.
He’s not playing with it
He’s eating it.
I can tell because the bags are nearly empty except for a few small clumps.
I knew he loves mashed potatoes. I just didn’t know the extent he’d go to to get them.
We had him tested and in the course of that vet visit he stole
6 tips
3 of the ear light cover things
Our other cats collar
the ear bud of the vets stethoscope 
several hearts
a plastic glove
the vet techs hair tie
Also yeah he’s fine he just likes to steal
Not guilty by reason of deficiency of other people’s stuff
This is his ledge
His ledge is taller then my husband who is 6’2”
I am 5’5”
I have to get the step ladder out once a week and see what Orange Sherbert has taken to his ledge for safe keeping. It’s usually the remote.
Narratively speaking, ending this saga with the reveal that his name is Orange Sherbert was a masterstroke.
WHY DONT YOU HAVE BABY LOCKS ON ANYTHING??!?
I DID HE LEARNED HOW TO OPEN THE BABY LOCKS BY HANGING OFF OF THEM AND RIPPING THEM OUT OF THE CABINETS YOU CANT OUT SMART THIS CAT
People who act aggressive and negative as fuck and then when you’re like “hey can you stop” they’re like “I’m going through some stuff 🥺🥺🥺” like damn dude that’s crazy me too - for example right now I’m going through YOUR behavior.
“I’m dealing with a lot 🥺🥺🥺” and I’m dealing with you so I guess we’re even
If your reactions to your trauma or your problems are making other people around you feel unsafe you need new coping mechanisms.
i love that post thats like “never trust how you feel about your life after 9pm” that shit changed my life. every time i feel bad i look at the clock and i’m like Aha It’s 10:26 PM You Cannot Fucking Fool Me
