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| Copyright: Glynn Jackson Photography |
A customer said to me last week, “Why are you limping today?” and then on the same breath, followed with “Fell over and had a big weekend, did you?”
I replied
with “Long story” and walked away, but the truth is…I happen to have a broken
hip.
And no, not
through some crazy sexcapade that happened at Coachella either. I can usually conceal it quite easily as I’m
on my feet all day anyway but on this particular occasion, eight hours of
standing was taking its toll and my body was complaining. Yes, the otherwise normal, petite, pretty looking
girl was walking somewhat abnormally as she made a quick dash for the bathroom.
It gets
tiring, having to tell the same story over and over to people who look at you with a blank expression and say "But you're too pretty, too young, too normal to be sick." and when I consider the amount of strangers
I must pass in the street, suffering MS, depression, chronic fatigue, cancer
and other things that can be hidden behind a brave smile and a strong
willpower, it’s an easy consolation.
Speak Up
No one can
help you, unless they know what’s wrong.
This doesn’t mean carrying around a proverbial cross, it just means
having the freedom to express when you’re struggling to get through the
day. Whether this means asking your boss
for a time out, having a vent to a friend or being honest about your
capabilities, you should remind yourself that, there’s no shame in being human.
Mum’s The Word
On the same
token, you should never feel the need to explain yourself unnecessarily. If someone asks you a question that you find
unnecessarily nosy or inappropriate, you’re doing your integrity a disservice
by answering it. Unfortunately that old
adage “Curiosity killed the cat, but satisfaction brought it back” is
especially pertinent for our generation, nevertheless, when it comes to your
private affairs (illness being one of them), silence is key.
Know Your Limits
Yes,
reaching for the sky is all very well and pushing yourself to achieve your
goals, but what about when you’re faced with the kind of limitations that only
get worse when you strive the hardest? The body isn’t bulletproof unfortunately
and as it’s the only one we have, sometimes it’s not a matter of willpower,
it’s a matter of nurturing yourself.
Keep
hydrated, eat regular meals and don’t tell yourself that you can function on
three hours sleep, if you physically can’t.
