Chronicles of working 7 days a week…

“I think the person who takes a job in order to live – that is to say, for the money – has turned himself into a slave.” Joseph Campbell

I realized I have become a slave. I took another part-time job because I wanted to earn more money and I was hoping this job lead me a step closer to my career. After almost two months working almost 7 days a week I want to share what happened to me:

First week – I was excited. It was kind of hard to regulate my schedule, but I managed. I felt useful and I like the new job. That week I took Sunday off from the other job. I went partying Saturday night. I slept all Sunday.

Second week– I was kind of tired, but I managed. I know the schedule now. Work Monday to Wednesday on the office from 9:30 to 6:30 (some days overtime), work Thursdays to Saturday at the store from 11-7 and Sunday’s 12-6. How many hours? At least 54 to 58 hours a week. Not bad I said.

Third week – I thought “I got this”! I started to see weird patterns in this new job. A lot of stress, not much encouraging from the boss, people quitting or getting fired. I was not going out and sleeping more. I wanted to prove them my worth.

Forth week – I was emotional. I could feel I was getting burn out. I asked off for a Saturday 31 on the store . By then I had work 12 days without a break. On Friday I decided to get drunk, but I didn’t. I wanted to enjoy my Saturday off, my first Saturday off since July 6. That day I danced and enjoy the company of my friends. Sunday I return to work.

“Work is love made visible. And if you cannot work with love but only with distaste, it is better that you should leave your work and sit at the gate of the temple and take alms of those who work with joy.” Khalil Gibran

Fifth week – I felt recharged and ready to work non-stop. I was “OK, I managed to work like this for one month, I can work for more”. I realized by then, I couldn’t go and visit my family in Puerto Rico for a week since I didn’t have time off and the office told me they needed me. I started to feel not appreciated by my office job since they told me they will hire me at the end of the 1st month.

Sixth week – I was so tired by working 7 days on a row that I got sick. A combination of lack of sleep, poor food choices, and trying to balance a social life. I missed work Monday and Thursday. I hate not going to work. I felt like crap and my mood was very emotional. I took off that weekend. I did go out, but not hardcore. They only thing I wanted to do was sleep. Zzzzz

Seventh week – I realized the office job it’s not fulfilling anymore and another person quit the office, which it’s a bad indicator. They put me more work under my shoulders and I don’t care about that, but my mind is not 100% active, since I been working so much, I’m so tired. I realized I was doing this because of money and I was not longer enjoying this job. Also, they weren’t even offering me a full-time position. I thought “I want to stay in the other job. I feel more appreciated and valuable there.”

Eighth week – I’m ready to quit my second part-time job at the office. Even if I like the job the pay is not great, they aren’t hiring full-time position and the atmosphere there is not the best. I been working 7 days and I’m way too tired, but most of all I’m mentally and emotionally drained. I can’t even believe I managed to do groceries, spend time with friends, do my blog, maintained my apt, clean, call my family, looking sharp and keep my smile. Saturday I went to bed at 10:30 pm and I couldn’t even wake up the next day.

Hours work in 2 months? Between 432 to 450 hours. Normally people work 320 with a 9 to 6 job. I don’t like to complain and when I do probably it’s because I’m not satisfied at all. I thought I could managed a life like this. I thought “I’m not a pussy. I can work long hours and excel on both jobs”. No.. if you want to excel at your job, you must rest your mind and body.

My friends asked me, “How you do this?, Where you find the stamina?” Well, I guess I had more in me than I thought. I really wanted to be very busy and I feel useful. I thought I was going to get a good offer in the new job, but after 2 months of hard work nada. They told me they weren’t looking for any full -time at the moment. I don’t believe I’m a quitter, but it’s good to acknowledge when companies take advantage of you. It’s perfect for them to have someone like me. They don’t have to pay benefits, pay my worth and they can fire me anytime they want to. Bah…Time to move on.

What I learned? I can work non-stop, but the next time I do this has to be for a job that is encouraging, that don’t take me for granted and I really love what I do. I learned what are my limits and probably my next job will be challenging but at least I will accept something way better than this.

Also, I learned that money isn’t everything. Yes, I earned way more $, but I ended up unhappy and super tired. I feel I’m going to get sick again. So, this is my last week. By Sept 29 I would be done working 14 days in a row. Back to normal after that. 🙂

“Nothing will work unless you do.” Maya Angelou

PS. I wrote this article on Sunday. By the time I publish this I already fainted on the subway Monday night, my head and my body were totally shut down. On Tuesday I quit my job, I’m better now.

Have a great week people. 🙂

xoxo,

Cristina