Don’t be too hard on yourself

Nakakapagod.

If there’s one word that would best describe my work before, ito yun.

Imagine…

I had to wake up early in the morning to avoid traffic and not to be late for work.

I had to commute from home to our office back and forth from Mondays to Fridays.

(Minsan, pag madami projects hanggang sabado pa)

Aalis ako sa bahay ng around 6 am and makakauwi ako ng 8 pm or pag minalas pa dahil sa traffic, 10 pm.

and it was a routine, an endless cycle.

But more than the negative idea of this tiring travel from home to work, may mas nakakapagod pa pala.

Pag dating sa work, there were lots of challenges na kailangan ko harapin.

Work overload.

Demanding boss.

Company politics.

Toxic culture.

Toxic co-workers.

and the list goes on.

Working in the corporate world is not easy. For you to stay longer, you need tons of motivation.

Good thing I have one - my family.

If it wasn't for them, I would have given up so easily.

I had to be strong because I had to provide for my family.

Walang mangyayari samin kung susuko agad ako.

But you know what,

Over time, I realized na motivation is not enough for you to survive.

Self-love.

Sometimes, work can drain you. And when it happens your drive will go out of the window.

You’ll be less motivated, less productive and worst, you’ll feel like a lesser person.

I worked in the corporate world for a couple of years and I know exactly how it feels when you are burned out and stressed.

It doesn't just affect your productivity at work but also your personal life.

When your work starts to consume you personally, you need to step back a little.

Assess yourself, listen to your body and ask:

Pagod na ba ko?

If the answer is yes, then you might have forgotten the most important love of your life - self-love.

Take a break.

Buy yourself a new dress.

Treat yourself to a salon.

Eat your favorite food.

I know you’re working so hard to give everything to your loved ones, but please find time to treat yourself as well.

I think one of the reasons why people get burned out so easily is because they tend to forget themselves.

Excess of everything is bad. So don’t be too hard on yourself.

Always remember that you agreed to a job in exchange for pay and benefits.

You did not sign up to sell your soul and every moment of your personal time.

So take your lunch break, your evenings, your weekends, your holidays and even your paid time off.

When you learn to take good care of yourself, you’ll see things from a different perspective.

You will be able to draw a line that separates work and your personal life.

Always remember, given the chances of being broken-hearted in this world, loving yourself definitely won't hurt.

Love lots,

Kajea