Its okay to have a sick day (no really!)

So lets start with a moan. This week has not gone to plan at all. I originally planned to get organised with some Christmas shopping, start planning and writing content on my recent trip to Disneyland Paris, which was totally magical. Then return back to work on wednesday feeling all prepped and ready for the rest of the week.

It didn’t happen.

I, unfortunately came down with a cold and & flu. So everything just crashed and burned.

The week started fairly well, I was lucky enough to be invited to the bloggers kiehls event in Cambridge and I had a lovely evening learning about all things skincare while sipping prosecco. So a fabulous start to the week. However on my way home I was soon hit with the dreaded winter cold and started to worry about my plans for the rest of the week. I had to go back to work on Wednesday and after having 10 days of annuals leave the day before, there was no way I was taking a sick day. That just didn’t feel right, I had a gut wrenching feeling that nobody would believe me because I had just been on annual leave. Have you ever felt like that?

So I went to work, they looked at me. They sent me home. I tried to go back the next day, they sent me home. REST, they said. I have 218 emails to read, I said.

But in all seriousness, I had to take a step back and really ask myself as to why I could take allow my ill feverish body to rest. Surely that would be better for everyone and most of all for me?

Then I realised that, I never been able to take a day off without feeling guilty, even if I am really chucking up my guts. Why is this? Why do we live in a culture that makes us feel awful for taking the day off? It is important to realise thats it okay to take a day off, or even a few days in my case. Drink that medicine and do not allow your work life or online life to consume you when it would be better to allow your body to use that energy to rest and regenerate.

It is important to not feel guilty, do not allow yourself to be made to feel guilty and that a hard lesson I’ve learnt this week. I know I’ll get back on track soon, as I’m finally feeling this flu leave me. I know I’ve been able to recover so quickly because I’ve allowed my myself to be sick after adjusting and taking time off.

Work isn’t everything, but your health is.