Sick of Being Sick - by Kelsey Boyanzhu

If you follow me on Instagram, you've heard me whining about being sick for like, basically two months now. We had our engagement party back in February and I've essentially been sick ever since. What started as a champagne hangover morphed into a cold. Once I thought that cold was subsiding, post nasal drip RE-irritated my throat into a multi sweet sore throat. Weeks of coughing into various blankets and pillows (and I swear we do laundry) eventually caused me an eye infection.

Basically I've been sick forever. And I'm really sick of being sick.

Part of my motivation for coming on here and writing this post is selfish - I really have been just sort of wallowing in my own misery at how crappy I feel.

But at the end of the day, I always try to write my posts in a way that adds value. Like if I had to give my Blondes & Bagels elevator pitch, the phrase "adds value" would definitely be in there. I want every post to add some sort of value, whether that's educational, inspirational, relatable, or entertaining.

In my what seems like never-ending (I'm a drama queen, I know) time being sick, I've honestly learned a lot. This post is definitely for you guys - but also a little for me to remember for next time.

Here are the four things I've learned from my time being sick.

It's okay to be selfish and put yourself first.

I'm just going to come right out and say it.

Corporate America has cornered us and convinced us into coming into work while sick.

Most companies count sick days as PTO/vacation days. A lot of companies/jobs don't permit working from home. We're encouraged to put work first. Because we don't want to waste vacation days on being sick, we come to work ill. We're subconsciously taught not to put ourselves first.

I don't like it. I don't agree with it. But I can see that it's a thing, and I can see that I participate in it. I hate asking to stay home. I am embarrassed to admit I don't feel well enough to come into work. I feel guilty. Finally I physically just couldn't do it anymore and was forced into being "selfish."

I wish I had been selfish sooner. I probably wouldn't have been sick of so long if I had just taken a few days to REALLY let myself rest vs operating at like 60% for a month and a half.

Be selfish. Stay home. Take time to heal. The world - the office - will keep chugging along without you for a few days.

Taking care of yourself is actually taking care of other people.

Ironically, being selfish and staying home while being sick is actually being selfless.

By not staying home and taking care of yourself, you're putting your coworkers, friends, family, people on public transit - everyone - at risk for getting sick, too.

I know this sounds dramatic and like whatever - but real talk. Do everyone else a favor and take care of yourself.

It's okay to ask for help.

I'm the worst at asking for help. I have a tendency to take on everything, do it all myself, and never ask for help even if I'm drowning.

And let me tell you, lately I've been drowning.

KB and I are great about acting as a total team unit when it comes to running our household. There's no nagging, assigned chores, etc. But while I've been sick, he's also been slammed at work. So I think throughout this process we've both really learned to ask for more help. I usually do most of the cooking, but there have been a few nights where I've said the kitchen is closed dude, can you pick up takeout on your way home? He usually does the dishes, but there's been a few nights where I need to lean in and take that on.

It's about being honest with yourself, your partner, your family, your friends - let people know when you just CAN'T and need a little extra help. It's okay to ask for help.

Drink a shit ton of water. Always.

Honestly this is always a good tip. DRINK LOADS OF WATER.

I swear one of the reasons I got sick and have stayed sick is because I wasn't fueling my body properly and staying hydrated.