Depression is one of the major contributors to mounting sick days. Its as if, we will get better, then we wont take so much time off. But its short lived.
The ramifications are big. Your boss increases his frustration whether you know it or not, it will be there. As 80% of people have little empathy for mental illness, you might regret exposing your reasons for time off. The whole saga gets worse over time. What are your options?
Drop full time work- consider casual or part time. In some situations your boss might agree with this concept. A friend of mine had a boss that actually preferred a 4 hour shift 11am to 3pm at a call centre to cover full time workers lunch break..
If you can secure a couple of part time jobs you will have more variety and sometimes more total income but less security.
Another tactic to rise in the morning is baby steps. When I worked in my own business I had to rise at 3am then drive 1-3 hours to my workplace. When first waking up to the alarm if I thought about the drain of the next 3 hours I'd stay in bed. My method was to focus just in getting into the shower. Hot water stimulates you, helps you wake up. Remember breakfast.
Confidentiality - your workmates will judge you negatively. You owe them nothing. I always go on a "need to know" basis. "Just personal problems" as a reply to gossipers covers a lot of possibles. Let them guess. Trust one colleague and rumours will flow.
Holidays- make them count. Being idle or working at another job is not taking a break. Google
Topic: holidays- beyondblue
Topic: cheap recovery idea, camping- beyondblue
Following many sick days off you might have to take a punt and disclose to your boss your predicament which means telling him/her about your illness amd how you have battled with it. This happened to my friend that worked in retail. His travel time was one hour by train and a 15 minute bus. His boss had a wife with depression and sympathized. He arranged a transfer to a store closer to home. It was the answer.
Taking sick days isnt ideal. Discuss medication and sleep patterns with your doctor. Restructure your life, consider all options and limit your guilty feelings.
And try one step at a time starting with a long shower.
Tony WK
