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Apr 18, 2021Liked by Nilofer Merchant

I am almost in tears with joy and sadness and resonance and relief and weariness and exhaustion and hope reading this post Nilofer.

No less than 24 hrs ago I was on the brink of fear and “IDGAF” type of approach to work. I sit in the middle, straddling the justification of how I’m contributing, holding others up, hating working from home every day, yet grateful I have the opp’y to choose that route. Working those long days, just like your husband and stress eating, unable to sleep a full 8 hrs for the past couple weeks because of stress and anxiety.

And by the grace of the divine.. incredible individuals in my network have helped me, reassured me, praised me, and supported me in the most precious ways these past couple days.

This morning I woke up at 7am and told my boss I needed a week off. I delegated, set up my teams for success this week and signed off. Am I afraid I might get fired? The thought lingers in the back of my mind..... am I afraid my boss and coworkers will talk behind my back “Yes 100%”. Do I worry that the rest of the organization will judge and say “ Arlene you dropped the ball on your deliverables this week and commitments”... “Yes 100%”

And I’ll be ok. Thank you Katie Hingle for the incredible support last night. Thank you!

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I wonder if just naming the reason for our tiredness helps. So that as we "go back" to what will be called the "new normal", we can be intentional about what we want, and even need. (And, to name that, of course, our needs matter).

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I am behind in reading the past 2 columns, and just catching up. THIS was another powerful, right when it's needed column. THANK you!!

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