I returned to work yesterday (Thursday) after three days leave. The problem with this was that while my colleagues were beginning to unwind for the weekend (some might query did they ever wind up in the first place) I bounced into the office with a bad case of Mondayitis. In my mind it was the first day of the working week as opposed to the fourth. I had no idea what day of the week it was.
This led to all sorts of problems. I made phone calls arranging meetings on Tuesday when I meant Friday. This made me look an even bigger idiot than I normally am when I make such calls. And my relaxed five day list of tasks suddenly became a panic stricken race for survival as I desperately tried to cram them all into two. My time management and prioritisation skills went out the metaphorical window as I struggled to adapt.
It was all a bit disorientating, like being in a different time zone from everybody else. They were buzzing along in an East Coast stylee while I was plodding along several thousand miles behind them, just off the coast of California. I was trudging through treacle as they shot out of the starting blocks and sprinted towards the weekend. For once, Stephen the Tortoise was not winning the race.
I often feel the odd one out where I work. As I head out for a lunchtime run, many of them are tucking into not so healthy lunches. When I mention I’m writing a novel, most of them look at me as if I have two heads. And a tail. They scramble over each other to ascend the slippery career ladder. I care about my job and what it involves but now have other competing priorities in my life. Work is no longer the be all and end all.
This can be a lonely existence at times. Some might view me as a dreamer who needs to wake up and smell the coffee. Who needs to get his head back in the game and his body back on the hamster wheel of reality. But that’s not me anymore. And yes, while I may dream, I am working towards making those dreams a reality. A reality that will provide a better future and lifestyle for my family. While at the same time scratching an inch that I have had for most of my adult life.
What I am trying to say in my own hamfisted way is that it is okay to march out of step from the masses. You are not a rat and this is not a race. You might be sitting reading this feeling unhappy or unfulfilled. That is good believe it or not for those negative emotions are the fuse you need to light in order to propel yourself towards a better, brighter future. Towards becoming the person that you were created to be.
Become a Thursday person. Or a Friday person. Or an any day of the week you want to be person. Life is about making choices and you have been blessed with the freewill to do so. It might result in a few wrong choices but that is how we learn. And who cares if your choice is against the flow and results in a few funny looks or snide remarks. To me that proves you are headed in the right direction….wherever that may be.
I write this on a Friday morning. When I woke up I was convinced it was Saturday before realising I had to get up and go to work. I have no idea what day of the week it is. But I do have an idea of what I want to achieve today. And the day after that. And the week after that. I encourage you to do the same. Get up, stand tall and walk free. The rest of your life is just around the next corner.
Do you ever get your days muddled up?
Are you stuck on the hamster wheel of life?
I jumped off that hamster wheel a few years ago, to the consternation of a lot ofco-workers. I’ve never looked back. But! I still get my days of the week mixed up😬
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Good for you 🙂
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I swear we are living parallel lives in some ways! I was totally off the calendar this week and yesterday I realized I had an appointment that I’d forgotten. I didn’t want to go anyway, so I cancelled it. I took the kids on a one night vacation Tuesday/Wednesday which threw me off. And although I haven’t had a job since 1990, I do feel the whole thing about my priorities in life being different than most people. I just want to experience life, not buy things. And by experience life, I mean run,hike, climb, and now I’ve discovered the joy of paddling a boat around a lake!
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I usually know what day it is, just not the date. I’m forever bringing up my calendar. I wish I could say I’ve left the hamster wheel behind but sadly there are times when I just can’t seem to get off it.
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I feel your pain Deborah 🙄
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You have shed light on my disdain for the words “rat race”. I am not a rat and I don’t like to race. My entire life has been at my own personal pace and today as I celebrate 71 years, I am grateful for that. Poor as a church mouse, but happy.
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What a great attitude to have!
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Today is a Friday but it feels like a Saturday.
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Snap 😂
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I almost never know what day it is because I work from home now. It was hard enough for me to keep the days straight when I was going into an office 5 days a week but now I’m always at a loss for what day it is. But somehow I’ve managed to avoid any major scheduling snafus.
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Oh working from home is my dream. I don’t think I’d ever get dressed up again 😂
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“The rest of your life is just around the corner.” This is equally comforting and terrifying, since I am aware that life is there, yet remain unsure if I can make the turn.
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I hope you can find the courage to do so. All it takes is that first step.
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I do get my days muddled – all day yesterday I thought it was Friday, when in fact it was Thursday. I have come to the conclusion that my job is not my identity. Yes, I will do my best at my work, I will go above and beyond what is asked of me, and I will succeed, but not because I want to join the rat race and climb the corporate ladder. I will do those things because I have integrity, honor, and I value a job well done. If those characteristics earn me a promotion and/or a raise, then so be it. If not, then that’s okay too. While I do enjoy my work {I’m in online marketing}, I tend to think that the relationships I have with my coworkers is more important than which email was sent to which audience on which day. 🙂
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I totally get my days mixed!!! Either a day behind or ahead. I’m so confused xD
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Join the club 😂
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Working night shift was the worst for having any idea what day it was. You’d go into work on a Monday, then a few hours into your shift it would suddenly be Tuesday. Then you’d go home and sleep and when you went back into work that night, it was still Tuesday. It was especially difficult when I would have to put dates on medication labels and I’d always have to be looking at the clock to see whether it was after midnight yet! 🤷🏼♀️ Plus we would work seven days in a row, so “Friday afternoon” wouldn’t actually happen until Monday morning…🤦🏼♀️
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I’m afraid I would have a nervous breakdown if I had to do that 😆
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Sometimes I think I was on the verge of one! 🙃
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Join the club 😂 just e mailed you.
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I’m a teacher and school’s out for the summer and I regularly have to ask myself what the date is. I’ll get back on track in no time 😏
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Ha Ha. So is my sister 😆
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I get my days mixed up especially when I take a Monday off (holiday or not) and/or when I am doing a lot of traveling. That said, I’ve always marched a little out of step with the masses. I’ve learned to treat is as an asset. 😉
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You might be out of step but I prefer it as you’re one step ahead of the masses 🙂
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YES! That’s a great way to look at it.
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Throw in blog posts from people halfway round the world, and I’m lucky to know the current year!
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It’s the year of our Lord 2018 Chelsea. I think.
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You say that NOW; I’ve a feeling you’ll be telling me something different in five months or so…
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Chugga-chugga-chugga – just call me Hammie. 🙂
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😂
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March to the beat of your own drum. Everyone gets days of the week confused. It is Friday, right?
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Ha Ha. Who knows? Thank you 😊
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