Balancing a New Career with a Chronic Illness: Part 2

Another obstacle that many people with chronic illnesses face is the repercussions of the stereotype that we have a ton of free time on our hands. For a while, I was too sick to work, and when I told people this, I was almost always met with something like, “Oh, that must be nice having so much extra free time!” Because of this, I’ve run into quite a few people who seem to think that I will be available 24/7 because I don’t have a “real” job.

This situation can be tricky to navigate. On the one hand, people who say these things are partially correct but only partially. I don’t have a 9-5 job that restricts my time. However, I do have an illness that sometimes takes up the same amount of time that a full-time job would. I try to balance this by working when I’m feeling well and recognizing when I need rest. One major benefit of being a freelance editor is that I create my own hours. So yes, most days I don’t wake up until after noon, but I also tend to work until 1-2 in the morning.

Finally, a new challenge that I’ve faced recently is feeling too good. I know what you’re thinking: “How is feeling too good a problem?” Well, let me tell you. I have had multiple days where I’ve been able to work more than 8 hours, something that was unheard of for me for many years. Unfortunately, I tend to get carried away when I’m feeling well, and I have a harder time of recognizing when I need to take a break. Just because I can work multiple 10+ hour days in a row, doesn’t mean I should. Mostly because, even though I am physically capable of doing this, it usually ends up taking a toll, which ultimately wipes out an entire day of potential work.

To manage this, I have been trying to find balance within my work. I try not to spend hours on end working, even if I just take small breaks to scroll through Instagram or crochet. This helps me feel like any work I do isn’t really work. I have a ton of fun with my job, and when I focus on the joy it brings me, it is less taxing physically and emotionally.

I’m also trying to self-impose a weekend. Truthfully, I haven’t been very successful with this strategy yet. When you don’t have a job with set hours where you need to be present, it can be difficult to set time aside for relaxation, nonetheless a whole day for relaxation. I’m not quite sure yet if this goal is attainable, or even necessary.

Whether you find yourself struggling with issues stemming from chronic illness, or you’re just trying to find balance in your life, I hope some of what I said resonates with you. Let me know some of your favorite strategies for balancing work and life in the comments!

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How Do I Know I’m Pursuing the Right Career?

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Balancing a New Career with a Chronic Illness: Part 1