Should I Feel Guilty For Taking A Mental Health Day Off?
This morning, I bathed, got dressed, did my hair and makeup, got my son ready and out the door to school, but then…I just couldn’t bring myself to head out the door and go to work.
Some days, the idea of leaving the house and dealing with people is as overwhelming as the idea of facing a mob wielding pitchforks and torches. I’m not sure whether to attribute this feeling to ongoing depression or anxiety (which I’ve battled for over 15 years) or if it’s a product of my introverted personality. Perhaps it’s a combination of all of the above.
Regardless of the cause, the effect was that I began an internal debate over whether the right thing to do would be to force myself out the door or if I should stay home. And of course, this led to lots of hand-wringing and a doozy of a self-imposed guilt trip.
Why can’t I just go to work like everyone else?
Plenty of folks don’t have the privilege to call and take the day off “just because”.
You’re already dressed and ready! Just grab your purse and go.
You’ve been doing so well lately! Don’t ruin a good streak.
Are the neighbors going to notice your car is still parked out front and speculate? Will coworkers think I’m flakey for taking off (via email) just a half-hour before our daily morning status meeting is scheduled to begin?
Ultimately, I decided to stay home. No, the guilt didn’t go poof (although I really wish that were the case), but I realized that I needed to be kind and gentle with myself. Sometime, I feel blessed to be firing on all cylinders. Lately, there have been way more good days than bad. Today’s just not that day.
Regardless of the why, I am mentally exhausted. It wouldn’t benefit anyone for me to go to work and then being unable to focus — becoming increasingly agitated, worrying that a coworker or (worse) my manager will notice. No, if I’m showing up to be paid, I need to be ready to earn my keep.
So, I took a “mental health day” off from work. I’m still feeling a bit guilty about it — about wanting it…about needing it — but I’m not letting that keep me from doing what’s best for me.
Do you ever feel the need for a mental health day off? Do you feel guilty at all for playing hooky?
