Resting Through the New Year: Navigating Sickness and Recovery

It's never easy to make the decision to call in sick to work. For me, it's even harder when I know how busy things are and how my absence might affect the team. But when you’re feeling truly unwell, sometimes you have no choice but to prioritize your health.

Earlier this week, I started feeling pretty rough. It began with a dry, violent cough that rattled my chest and left my throat raw. Breathing became more difficult, and even my usual inhaler wasn’t enough to keep things manageable. By Monday, I had powered through a shift, even though I knew I wasn’t in great shape. One of my coworkers noticed how ill I looked, coughing nonstop, and commented on it. That should’ve been my first clue to stop and rest, but I’m the type to push through when I can.

By Tuesday, though, my body had made the decision for me. I couldn’t go on like that. I rang in sick and started resting properly. Unfortunately, with it being New Year’s Eve and New Year’s Day, I couldn’t make an appointment to see the doctor until today. When I finally went, they prescribed antibiotics and steroids to help with what had turned into a nasty chest infection. I’ve been resting ever since, focusing on giving my body the chance to heal.

Today, I made the call to extend my sick leave for another two days. It was a tough decision, but I’ve learned from experience that returning to work too soon can set back your recovery and leave you feeling even worse. This time, I was honest and upfront, letting them know I’d reassess on Monday depending on how I’m feeling.

The thing is, calling in sick often comes with a sense of guilt—especially when you know how much your team relies on you. I’ve noticed that even when I’m clearly unwell, I’ll worry about how my absence will affect things at work. But the truth is, none of us are irreplaceable in the grand scheme of things, and trying to push through illness often does more harm than good.

This week has been a reminder of the importance of listening to your body and knowing when to take a step back. It’s not easy, but it’s necessary. Hopefully, with a few more days of rest and medication, I’ll be back on my feet and ready to tackle whatever comes next. Until then, I’m giving myself permission to heal—because sometimes, that’s the hardest but most important thing to do.

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