By Malakai
Not feeling well and still trying to keep up with the demands of everyday life is not easy.
One morning, I awoke feeling dizzy and achy, like a typical Monday morning. All I had to do was drag myself out of bed and get my day started. Figuring out what was wrong took a while to figure out, so I attributed it to not getting enough sleep as the cause.
However, this did not seem to be the case, as my symptoms grew worse throughout the day. It was evident that I had a problem. That morning, I woke up with a stuffy nose, a scratchy throat, and a feeling like my head was going to explode and that was all I could think about. As I took orders, I couldn’t help but think about how much I would rather be in bed snuggled up under the covers.
Although, I knew that would not be an option for me as a responsible adult. So I soldiered on and struggled throughout the day. My coworkers were sympathetic, offering me tissues and cough drops, but I could tell they also wanted to keep their distance. As the week progressed, my cold got more severe. I was now in full-on survival mode, doing whatever it took to survive each day. At work, I avoided contact with everyone, knowing I didn’t want to infect anyone else. I did not have COVID. But even with all of this help, I still felt like I was barely holding it together. I could barely keep my eyes open due to exhaustion.
As the weekend approached, I knew I needed a change, but I still had responsibilities. I ground my way through this past week at school and work. It is 10 times more stressful when you can’t breathe. It wasn’t easy, but slowly but surely, my symptoms faded. My throat stopped hurting, and I regained some energy.
On Monday, I felt like my old self again. Looking back on that week, I am happy to say no one else got sick. I realized how much I had taken my health for granted. Being sick was a stark reminder of how fragile we all can be, and how imperative it is to take care of ourselves. Remember that Gen Z works hard, the stereotypes of being lazy are not true. Taking a break from our fast-paced lives, giving our bodies a chance to heal, and slowing down were the best things I learned.
Malakai is a Gen Z member, student, and TikTok social media influencer “Surreallt” and would speak about mental health if Boomers and Gen Xers gave Gen Z more opportunities. You can contact him at info@tncpnews.com.
