Have you ever washed your hair and worked up a really good lather, then rinsed out the soap and discovered a clump of hair had fallen out?
I have. And it wasn’t pretty.
I experienced this type of hair loss for about a year. This was one of many symptoms that presented itself during a time when I worked in a job that I HATED.
I didn’t always hate this job. I excelled at this job. And I believe I was gifted to do the work I was doing.
Unfortunately, I allowed some unexpected circumstances and other people’s decisions to crush me. When I tried asking supervisors for help, I must’ve failed to get my message across, because nothing changed. And I became even more stressed and burned out.
Politics & People Pleasing
Admittedly, I’m not good at navigating office politics. And I’m pretty sure if you googled “people pleaser,” you’d see my photo. I kept living in a storm of stress that manifested in me physically, mentally, emotionally, and even spiritually.
And nobody at work knew about it.
I would come into the office in the morning wearing a fake smile. Then I’d go home at the end of the day and break down to my family, because that’s where it was safe… in front of my husband and two children.
This went on for a ridiculous amount of time until finally my family and I decided that I needed to GET OUT of that job. I needed to leave, even though I didn’t have another job to go to.
So I did. I left. Without a net.
And my hair stopped falling out!
Better Not Bitter
Since then, I’ve experienced many trials and a few triumphs. Thankfully, when I look back on that awful experience, I feel gratitude. It would have been so easy to stay bitter. Instead, I chose to become better.
I urge everyone reading this post to please, please, please listen to your body. And NEVER sacrifice your health for a job.
Because your health is worth more than any paycheck.
Point to Ponder: Your body is sending you messages whether you’re aware of them or not.
Questions to Consider: When was the last time you listened to what your body was telling you? How will you know when it’s time to make a change to save your health?