Monday marks the beginning of a new week, new opportunities, new experiences. Most people do not look forward to Monday because it also means for them the start of another work week. For a shift worker, such as myself, Monday is just another day because I work all hours of all days. Take today for example, today and tomorrow are my weekend after working the technical weekend and before I go back for a two night shifts on Wednesday and Thursday.
Being a shift worker has its perks. I love being off during the week because I can get all the errands done that you can’t do on weekends, these being going to the doctor/dentist, going to the bank and getting a haircut. Sure some of these things can be done on weekends now a days, but most places set different weekend hours that aren’t always convenient. Being off during the week also means that you can do a roadtrip to see a movie in the city or get Christmas shopping done when the stores are less busy.
As with any perk, there is always a downside. Shift work takes a toll on the human body. Working long shifts, staying up all night, and waking up at unruly hours (can I say 5am for all my late sleepers?). I for one am not a morning person, never have been and never will be one. I guess being a nurse and a waitress in a convention centre probably weren’t the best career choices for someone like me. I like sleeping in until atleast 9am if not later and I don’t usually go to bed until midnight. With that being said, you can understand how waking up at 5am and to be at work for 630am is a hard task for me. Other downsides include, working the holidays, missing out on group events and not having a “normal” schedule. Most people know they have the weekend off and plan accordingly. That’s when social gatherings usually happen, when most events are held, etc… Shift work throws all that right out the window and you have to adapt to a new way of life.
I don’t want you to think that I don’t like shift work, because I do, I love the profession I chose as a nurse and I love working as a waitress at night. Nursing is a very rewarding job all in itself; getting to see the smile on your patients face and knowing you helped contribute to it is very fulfilling.
You are probably wondering where I am going with this post since it is entitled “Motivational Monday”. I wanted to show you, the reader, that just because you may or may not work weekends or nights or even holidays you can succeed in daily life if you know how to adapt. Don’t fret when “Sunday” comes along and you haven’t finished your to-do list, because whatever hasn’t gotten finished will still be there when you come back to the list. All to many people worry or get mad when they don’t finish every single thing that they had set out to do on their days off. During the work week instead of spending two hours sitting on the couch watching television, you can be cleaning or throw a load of laundry on during the commercials. If you were wanting to do errands and you get off work at 5pm, if the places are open when you are done go and do the errand on the way home from work. You see where I am going with this? Adaptation!
So I challenge you this week to pick up your to-do list, see what can be done during commercial breaks, what can be done on your way home from work and what needs to wait until you have a whole day off, and stick to it. You will find that come your official days off, you may have more time to enjoy doing things you love.
Before I leave this post I want to send a shout out to Here Is Motherhood, as I recieved in the mail today the gift card I won on her first ever giveaway! Thank-you Ashlyn, this coffee is much needed! Check out Ashlyn’s blog at http://www.hereismotherhood.com and remember life is never boring!
A Day In The Life of... 