Magic-academic-al

Growth is about stretching, trying new things, and setting small, realistic goals for yourself, not picking a “good habit” you’ve decided you will be doing always and forever from now on. That’s not discipline. That’s pointless self-torture and unhealthy resistance to change.

It took me a really long time to unlearn this. When I would get sick or have a “bad day” I would deprive myself of anything that made me happy. Watching movies, eating something I enjoyed, going for a walk, playing video games or just browsing online looking at funny cat videos. I wouldn’t let myself do these things because I was always told that if I’m too sick to go to work, or do homework, or go to school then I must be too sick to play Mortal Kombat or watch Unsolved Mysteries lol.

Whenever I wouldn’t feel good, which I later learned as an adult was due to sleep deprivation caused by my ADHD and depression (and of course the depression itself would cause me to feel like shit), my parents would tell me “if you’re not throwing up, then you’re not sick.” And when I would stay home from school (or even work in my later teen years) my parents would make sure that I didn’t have any “fun.” No TV, no movies, no games, no going outside, no arts and crafts, no books, no nothing. Just lay in bed and feel miserable.

I’m happy to say that I no longer do this to myself. Now when I’m having a bad day or I’m sick (cold, flu or whatever) I allow myself to do the things (within reason lol) that I actually love doing. If I’m not too sick to step outside for a few minutes then I’ll go for a walk. I’ll watch my favorite movies and if it’s a bad day or a cold (something that doesn’t hinder my appetite too much) I’ll eat my favorite foods. I don’t guilt trip myself anymore for having a “sick day.”

Just because you’re sick (whether physically, emotionally or mentally) doesn’t mean that you can’t do things you enjoy. You’re not any less sick because you watch TV. You’re not any less sick because you’re playing video games. 

Not spreading disease to your coworkers

Trying to relax so your body can fight the disease faster without extra stress holding you back.  

Too tired to concentrate for 8 hours straight 

Too tired to do laborous physical activity for 8 hours straight

Not risking aggravating your symptoms and passing out or vomiting on the job

Staying home from work does not stop you from;

Doing relaxing things, like reading a book, browsing the internet, or watching a movie. These things take little mental effort, and are not comparable to working. 

Doing some chores, or mildly laborious hobbies like knitting, writing, painting, or playing video games.  Just because you are shedding germs that could make others sick doesn’t necessarily imply you are incapable of physical activity. Even people who are recovering from a surgery that removed an entire organ can knit and play video games while they heal.  Part of their GUTS are missing and they are ENCOURAGED to do hobby stuff. 

Going outside for a walk. Fresh air and the sight of trees and animals is actually proven to help you heal faster. It’s a verified form of physical and mental therapy. I encourage you to do it. 

Feeling happy, feeling relaxed, feeling positive and stress-free; those things help you recover faster. 

Take note of the COVID virus. Some people feel perfectly fine while infected. They might feel like they have a tiny cough, or a little tired, but they certainly are not bedridden. 

However, it would SAVE LIVES if that infected person would STAY HOME and not go in to work or school. 

Some things are better than no things if you can’t (physically OR mentally) handle everything.

Still got stopped in the corridor by an earlier-class’s teacher to be told “I thought you were supposed to be home sick” though.

Proff: What’s the first step to solving any problem? Class: Don’t panic. Proff: And why is that? Class: Because we know more than we think we do.

Went into a bathroom at a conference (ages ago) before a grad student’s talk and she was in there tying up her hair and her advisor came out to wash her hands.

Grad student: “Advisor, do you think I should cut my hair?”

Advisor (looks puzzled): “Why are you asking me?”

Grad student: “is the correct answer, fuck that, let’s go do science!”

They left laughing and just had generally awesome interactions every time I saw them together.