What do you do when some sort of flu bug finds you despite the fact that you got your shot, take your vitamins, eat right, get plenty of rest and sunshine and exercise regularly? Well, I’m going to hunker down with a friend’s book, in between welcome periods of sleep.
I have one editing project and another on the way. I have SPAWN business to take care of. I have a book to write, a speech to develop, piles of paperwork/receipts, etc. to file, but that’s all going to have to wait while I go into recovery mode.
This affliction began toying with me Friday morning. I fought against it Saturday and Sunday, finally submitting to over the counter stuff to make me feel better—it didn’t. And today, I feel as though I am losing the battle the flu has launched on my poor body. Today, I reluctantly call a sick day.
What is liable to happen if I take a sick day? Will my business fall apart? I guess not, but we sure can convince ourselves that we are needed and that without us, things won’t go as smoothly. What if my book is delayed another one or even two days? What if the filing doesn’t get done until next week? What if I take a day off from the editing on my client’s manuscript? Will my business fail? Will the world fail? And in 100 years (20 years or even a week) will it matter that Patricia Fry succumbed to the dreaded flu for one day?
As you can see, I plan to be back tomorrow. Surely, if I give in for one day, that’s all it’s going to take, right? I’m not bull-headed. I just don’t do “sick person” very well.
Oh, I stay away from other people. I do not go to out shopping when I am, most likely, contagious, even though someone else probably did—or I wouldn’t be in this sick mess. I cancel face-to-face meetings. I do my best to keep these things to myself. (I wish everyone would be as conscientious, don’t you?)
So I’m headed to the sofa with my 3 cats and the book, “Thrift Me Deadly” by Wendy Dager. I hope to be with you again tomorrow with something more worth your while. In the meantime, stay well. Wash your hands a lot (something else I do religiously—but some germ wriggled through the barrier), eat right, sleep well. And if you do get dragged down by some evil affliction, stay home and take care of yourself. No one needs you in the office enough to risk everyone getting sick. Be a good citizen. Keep your germs to yourself.