I work in an industry which operates 24/7, seven days a week. This doesn’t change because it’s the holiday season. From the time I started working, I have always worked some holidays.

This year, I am working on or right up to most holidays including today while many people who entered the business after me took off.  The heavy workload due to short staffing gets to me more and more each year. It’s not due to age. It’s due to the thought that others who came after me don’t feel the same obligation to work and my added pressure is not respected. I’m not certain my colleagues are wrong for being home with loved ones. Having lost so many relatives along the way, I realize time with them was the real gift of this lifetime. Yet, I wonder who will be left to once Generation X workers leave the workforce or are forced out. 

Still, I am grateful that today I can work from home. I don’t have to stress out or damage my body with the long commute. I don’t have to avoid sick people (especially with flu and COVID floating around) or spend the money to get there (with congestion pricing  added). A few times a year, I have to apply to renew my work from home accommodation despite living with an incurable autoimmune disease and being as productive, if not more, than some colleagues. But, I do it and will request this again in a few months because I know preserving my body and therefore extending my life is the best gift I can give to myself. So, I will keep raising my hand and let me needs be known. 

For day 24 of my Christmas sweater countdown, I’m wearing shirt that says, “dear Santa can I work from home?” 

Merry Christmas Eve!

#christmassweatercountdown #christmaseve #workfromhome #invisibleillness #autoimmunedisease #spoonie #happyholidays