Passionpiece
  • Home
  • Blog
  • About the blog
  • Contact
  • English (US)
  • Polish (PL)
September 16, 2019  |  By Natalia In Blog, Chasing dreams

When I know it's time to go …

Passion Piece - When I know it's time to go 7

Coming back to work may sometimes not be easy, especially when it comes to teachers, who in summer have the opportunity to forget about the problems which will be waiting for them in the new school year. However, this text is referred to all those of you who don’t know when to say it’s time to go, and sometimes it’s really not a bad idea.

Will it be then a text of a depressed person? Why should you know when it’s time to go? Of course, it won’t be anything like that! I come from a family, in which we go to work to the last, until we simply can’t. No matter whether we have a runny nose, or a strong cough, or the way we feel sucks a big time. As we say what youth is used to, age remembers. I must admit that, there’s something in this saying, and at least in my case it’s applied well.

Since I started working for the state schools, which was exactly 6 years ago, I was on the doctor’s leave twice, oh sorry … now the situation has changed a little bit, as my organism has also given out. Does it mean that I’m indestructible? Maybe I’m a woman of steel? I regret to say that, but no. I was brought up in a way that I feel guilty when I need to miss work due to illness. It has happened many times that I treated common cold and cough for three weeks, and having fever in the evening, but waking up without raised temperature in the morning, I decided to go to work anyway. I also went through blurred vision, when the light in the classroom was purple and I saw the kids as if they had been under the surface of the water. It was quite silly, as not staying in bed when you suffer from flu or cold may have a detrimental effect on your body. Unfortunately, as long as we are not struck by something for good, we count on dumb luck or we hope a given problem won’t concern us. As I’ve already mentioned, I was twice on the doctor’s leave until now, when I had a high fever at work and I decided it was high time to take care of myself, and once when I had chickenpox, which I couldn’t ignore. Last week my voice stopped working well, and to some extent it was caused by not a very wise change in Polish education system. Secondary schools accepted mass amounts of graduates from both primary schools and junior high schools at the same. The classrooms are overloaded, the lessons last until late afternoon, and after reaching my home I need to prepare myself to work. No one will tell me, as many people think, that teachers work 18 hours per week, as there’s nothing more deceptive. It’s a kind of work you can never get out of. Since the beginning of the new school year is usually quite intensive, unfortunately it happened that I didn’t sleep long enough, not to talk about resting after work. My organism, when it’s overloaded, becomes prone to all kinds of illnesses and infections. I’m not able to cope with them at that time, and what surprises me the most, during summer, when it happens that sometimes I get cold, my body is rested and strong enough to overcome everything on its own.

As I’ve mentioned before my voice stopped working well last week, and it’s the main tool of work for me. It started gradually, however the workload occurred to be so big, that I got hoarse for good. That’s why, waking up one morning and not being able to say a word, I finally decided to go to the doctor. Of course, in my case it wasn’t the end of the whole story. I went to check into the doctor, getting up early in the morning, unfortunately the first available visit was possible after 10 am, and I started lessons a little bit earlier, to make matters worse my day at work was supposed to last till late afternoon. Having no choice, I called the office to report my indisposition, which was difficult to hide via the phone, as my voice sounded at least like after a good boozy party. I was patiently waiting for the hour of my visit at the doctor’s, suffering agony, imagining that I won’t get the doctor’s leave, as I wasn’t dying yet. Maybe, I could still say something in the classroom. I was testing my voice, making strange sounds similar to the ones produced by not well tuned violins. I had a fear of not getting my doctor’s leave to such an extent that I even didn’t drink warm tea in the morning, as the tea would make me speak with beautiful and crystal voice again. So it turned out that at 10 am I didn’t get my voice back and I wasn’t healed in a miraculous way, just on the contrary, I had to whisper, so that my doctor could understand anything. In my small, yet smart head, I figured it out that I’d get 2 days at most plus weekend and since Monday I’d be a marvelous teacher again, straining my voice at work. I was really surprised with the fact that I got a much longer leave which was supposed to last the whole week. I was diagnosed and it turned out that I had laryngitis. The warmth of my home, peace and quiet, as well as not straining my voice did real miracles, and all in all, I could speak freely again next day in the afternoon. Of course, I started feeling guilty, as I was not dying, and I had a few more days to stay at home left. Luckily, as I have already mentioned before, I’m not a totally brainless person, sometimes I even experience some moments of enlightenment, sparse, but quite spectacular. I was struck with such a thought: ‘Natalia, you can speak only because you are resting your voice now. Otherwise you would strain it even more, not to compare it with using old socks, which should be thrown away a long time ago.’

Remember that everyone can be replaced. One day you will be fired or what’s even worse you’ll simply leave this world and you’ll be quickly forgotten at work. If you think differently, many of you are mistaken. No one will appreciate your work more, because you decided to come to your office despite the fact that you are ill. You’ll also not get the Nobel Prize for sure. So my question sounds as follows: is it really worth it? Without health there’s no work, no life, that’s why you need to respect it. Because of this article I keep humming a song by Agnieszka Chylińska, which I’d like to quote as a way of summing up my today’s text:

‘When I know it’s time to go

And I know it will happen soon

When I want to leave this world

Then I know, I won’t wait for you, no

I’ll leave in silence, like I want

And I’m sure you won’t be around

Nobody will remember me

And I know that I’ll be all alone (…)’

See you around!

Yours,

Passion Piece

Photos by: Photo by Yuris AlhumaydyNaomi August, Christian Fregnan, howling red, Natalia Figueredo, Gabriel on Unsplash

Podoba Ci się? Udostępnij!
Previous StoryThe weekly interview: Patrice Rutledge
Next StoryThe weekly interview: Lauren Covino Smith

Comments: 19 replies added

  1. Amber Myers September 16, 2019 Reply

    I keep hearing how tough it is to be a teacher these days. Many are leaving, which is sad. They should be treated better and given so much more money.

  2. Cristina Petrini September 16, 2019 Reply

    I agree with Amber! We need more teachers who love their work and are given what they do even at the monetary level!

  3. Agnes September 16, 2019 Reply

    Being a teacher is a tough choice. I guess teaching is a profession that needs someone who is passionate about teaching and handling kids.

  4. Lina Ray September 16, 2019 Reply

    As I was going through your post I remembered recent stats that say teachers work the least a week but have the highest rate of stress. My dad is a retd. teacher and I have seen him how stressful his life can be. But who cares? Love that you brought the issue to the world.

  5. Tara Pittman September 16, 2019 Reply

    I admire teachers. It is a tough job but the rewards to see a child learn is worth it.

  6. Alvern @ Success Unscrambled September 16, 2019 Reply

    It is tough being a teacher but it is worse when you feel guilty when you are not well. When you become ill it is your body's way of telling you that you need to rest so you should listen to it.

  7. Sophia September 16, 2019 Reply

    the teaching profession is such the difficult job. but in the other hand its an art which polish the skills of students.

  8. Jen Walker September 17, 2019 Reply

    Self care is so important, and I'm a fan of making it a routine before your health takes a nosedive because you've put your needs aside far too often. Work/jobs come and go, but there is only one you. The workplace so rarely appreciates the sacrifices many make, and it's not worth it.

  9. Joanna September 17, 2019 Reply

    I think that as a teacher, when you have the flu you should stay home. You are not only risking your own health but the one to the children you are teaching as well. And why should you feel guilty for not going to work? It is your right as a human being to take care first of yourself and make sure you are healthy before worrying about something else.

  10. Cynthia Nicoletti September 17, 2019 Reply

    My daughter is a teacher and it is a very hard job. She teaches first grade and I admire her for all her hard work

  11. Jasmine M September 17, 2019 Reply

    I have seen a lot of teachers give so much of themselves to schools. Sometimes teachers need self care days whether feeling sick or tired and it's understandable since you guys work so hard. I don't think you should feel guilty. Your body was overworked and needed time to rest. Always remember to take care of yourself and make sure you're healthy so that you can keep teaching. You've got this!

  12. Cindy Ingalls September 17, 2019 Reply

    There is such a stigma around staying home when you are sick, when in reality, you are much better off taking the time off to let your body heal. No work is worth letting your health suffer. At the end of the day, it is our experiences we will remember, not how many days we did or not work.

  13. Krysten Quiles September 17, 2019 Reply

    Once upon a time I wanted to be a teacher but I didn't think that I would be strong enough to get through it. Teachers give so much and definitely don't get enough in return.

  14. Jessica Joachim September 18, 2019 Reply

    My sister is a teacher, and it is such a tough job. While I'm not a teacher, sometimes I feel it is time to go when it comes to my own job.

  15. Echo September 18, 2019 Reply

    I am not a teacher, but I can definitely relate to the depression and fatigue!

  16. Lyanna Soria September 18, 2019 Reply

    A lot of teachers nowadays are not really that much passionate about there work anymore and it saddens me. Teacher is not easy and I hope they get appreciated more on their hard work.

  17. Tisha September 19, 2019 Reply

    Glad to hear you were able to rest and your voice came back! I went through a similar thing last year. I kept loosing my voice on an off and come to find out being stressed can bring that on.

  18. georgia boanoro September 22, 2019 Reply

    Yes, having a job is important because it pays the bills and one must respect it; however, one must never place a job above his or her physical and mental health.

  19. Patricia M. October 12, 2019 Reply

    So true, we need to take care of ourselves and our body because no one else is going to. I'm guilty of going to work when I'm not feeling well to.

Join in: leave your comment Cancel Reply

(will not be shared)

Search

Menu

  • Blog
  • Books
  • Chasing dreams
  • Cooking
  • Inspirations
  • People with passion
  • Travels
  • Uncategorized

Najnowsze

  • The weekly interview: Cosmina Manea
  • The weekly interview: Marta Samson
  • The weekly interview: Laura Moseley
  • The weekly interview: Jessica Marchant
  • The weekly interview: Michelle Moyer

Tags

#bestage #books #celebrities #christmasiscoming #christmasmarkets #dreams #fashion #fight #food #goodtimes #greece #happiness #inhibitions #lifestyle #LO3 #love #magicofchristmas #memories #modernsociety #mylittleparadise #newstart #newyearseve #opportunities #overcomingtheodds #passion #passionpieceblog #reachinggoals #reachingyourgoals #resolutions #reunion #schoolmates #sea #societyproblems #success #summer #travels #vienna #youth Akureyri hostels Iceland interview passionatepeople

Archives

  • June 2023 (1)
  • May 2023 (1)
  • April 2023 (1)
  • March 2023 (2)
  • January 2023 (1)
  • December 2022 (1)
  • November 2022 (2)
  • October 2022 (1)
  • September 2022 (1)
  • August 2022 (2)
  • July 2022 (3)
  • June 2022 (1)
  • May 2022 (1)
  • April 2022 (2)
  • March 2022 (2)
  • February 2022 (1)
  • January 2022 (4)
  • December 2021 (1)
  • November 2021 (3)
  • October 2021 (2)
  • September 2021 (3)
  • August 2021 (2)
  • July 2021 (2)
  • June 2021 (2)
  • May 2021 (2)
  • April 2021 (4)
  • March 2021 (4)
  • February 2021 (4)
  • January 2021 (4)
  • December 2020 (4)
  • November 2020 (4)
  • October 2020 (5)
  • September 2020 (4)
  • August 2020 (4)
  • July 2020 (6)
  • June 2020 (4)
  • May 2020 (4)
  • April 2020 (5)
  • March 2020 (4)
  • February 2020 (4)
  • January 2020 (4)
  • December 2019 (5)
  • November 2019 (4)
  • October 2019 (5)
  • September 2019 (5)
  • August 2019 (4)
  • July 2019 (5)
  • June 2019 (4)
  • May 2019 (4)
  • April 2019 (5)
  • March 2019 (4)
  • February 2019 (4)
  • January 2019 (5)
  • December 2018 (4)
  • November 2018 (4)
  • October 2018 (4)
  • September 2018 (4)
  • August 2018 (5)
  • July 2018 (4)
  • June 2018 (4)
  • May 2018 (5)
  • April 2018 (3)
  • March 2018 (4)
  • February 2018 (6)
  • January 2018 (6)
  • December 2017 (5)

Pageviews

  • Home
  • Blog
  • About the blog
  • Privacy policy
  • Contact

About the blog

This blog has been created with the readers in mind, the ones whose passions help them pursuing their success and self-realization … but not only! I’ll also write for those of you who feel that there is a raw potential hidden somewhere inside your true self! I keep learning new things about myself everyday and I try to find new passions which allow me not to get crazy and get away from it all once in a while!

Recent Posts

  • The weekly interview: Cosmina Manea June 1, 2023
  • The weekly interview: Marta Samson May 7, 2023
  • The weekly interview: Laura Moseley April 20, 2023
  • The weekly interview: Jessica Marchant March 27, 2023
  • The weekly interview: Michelle Moyer March 8, 2023

Archives

  • June 2023 (1)
  • May 2023 (1)
  • April 2023 (1)
  • March 2023 (2)
  • January 2023 (1)
  • December 2022 (1)
  • November 2022 (2)
  • October 2022 (1)
  • September 2022 (1)
  • August 2022 (2)
  • July 2022 (3)
  • June 2022 (1)
  • May 2022 (1)
  • April 2022 (2)
  • March 2022 (2)
  • February 2022 (1)
  • January 2022 (4)
  • December 2021 (1)
  • November 2021 (3)
  • October 2021 (2)
  • September 2021 (3)
  • August 2021 (2)
  • July 2021 (2)
  • June 2021 (2)
  • May 2021 (2)
  • April 2021 (4)
  • March 2021 (4)
  • February 2021 (4)
  • January 2021 (4)
  • December 2020 (4)
  • November 2020 (4)
  • October 2020 (5)
  • September 2020 (4)
  • August 2020 (4)
  • July 2020 (6)
  • June 2020 (4)
  • May 2020 (4)
  • April 2020 (5)
  • March 2020 (4)
  • February 2020 (4)
  • January 2020 (4)
  • December 2019 (5)
  • November 2019 (4)
  • October 2019 (5)
  • September 2019 (5)
  • August 2019 (4)
  • July 2019 (5)
  • June 2019 (4)
  • May 2019 (4)
  • April 2019 (5)
  • March 2019 (4)
  • February 2019 (4)
  • January 2019 (5)
  • December 2018 (4)
  • November 2018 (4)
  • October 2018 (4)
  • September 2018 (4)
  • August 2018 (5)
  • July 2018 (4)
  • June 2018 (4)
  • May 2018 (5)
  • April 2018 (3)
  • March 2018 (4)
  • February 2018 (6)
  • January 2018 (6)
  • December 2017 (5)
Copyrights © 2018 Passionpiece | Wdrożenie strony 13design