In our catchup, we discovered we’d both been through the wringer in finding our latest job. Me? Six months and over 100 applications. Her? A year and a half of trying to get a remote role—which she eventually compromised on to score anything at all.
We noted we’re both grateful for our jobs, but we also don’t want to desperately cling to them, because that often leads to burnout. I told my friend I’d lost a bit of my zen formula that I initially started my role with, and that I’m slowly finding my way back to it. In response, she shared a line a former mentor turned friend had repeated to her over and over again while they were working in the same team: “We’re not saving lives here. Relax.”
Now, if you’re a nurse, doctor, fire fighter, police officer, or first responder, my hat goes off and my heart goes out to you. Thank you! Frankly, I don’t know how you do it. Or, rather, I don’t know how I would do it with that brain of mine, which already overthinks the most trivial details all the time.
But if you’re part of the large majority typing, tapping, and staring at screens, chances are, whatever you do can wait—and if you won’t do it, someone else will. Or not. And, in many cases, that’s fine, too. This isn’t to say your work doesn’t matter. Just that your sanity matters more. It’s not worth throwing away over any project, product, or service. However much it is, you’re not paid enough to worry.
If you’re having a tough one, and the stress seems to drill straight through your skull, imagine how a monkey would describe what you do if he could speak. Remember life is a ridiculous affair all around, and if you’re not saving lives, it’s probably okay to relax.
