Stop Being a -Holic

I’m preaching to myself here, but maybe you can relate. Is there something in your life that you are addicted to? That you do too much of at the expense of your health? I am guilty of having been a workaholic – whether that’s school work or work work. But my, my how I have improved.

After finishing up school last Wednesday, I had work-related decisions to make. 1) Would I continue to study for my next national registry exam? Old me would have responded, “Keep grinding. If you stop now, you may never have the motivation to do this again.” New me said, “You have done more than enough for now. When the time is appropriate, you will do what you have to do to do what you have to do.” 2) Would I continue to work even though the offer letter for my full-time position stated that I can begin work as late as June? Old me would not have missed a single day – no questions asked. In fact, let me pick up some more hours while I’m at it. New me asked the questions, “When will you get a break like this again? Don’t you need time to take care of personal business and, I don’t know, do nothing for a change?”

Let me tell ya, I am so grateful for the new me. I learned the hard way, but nevertheless, I learned. In my case, the pressure to be a -holic is real. It’s pressure from society and from myself. Maybe in your case, it’s not pressure that gets in your way. Maybe it’s money or the lack thereof. Or maybe you are masking some emotion, pain, or vulnerability. If you’re a -holic like me, ask yourself what’s at the heart of the matter. The more self aware you are, the better equipped you will be to make a change before you hit rock bottom. Check your attitude, your behaviors, your “why” behind what you do. If for no other reason than to improve your mental health, that’s reason enough.

Remember: Your mental health matters.

Lai