Ageism is a real thing. I’d been told that I was not image the client wanted/looking for, literally in a bathroom while meeting the client by my executive managers. I am the oldest in the program (mid 50s), my bosses are 37 & 41. Needless to say I proved them wrong but to what extent. The last two and a half years I had been consistently working 12–14 hour days for the same company you and David work for. I was and still am the #1 manager in the program day after day, week after week (boring.. no challenge). Perseverance or just plain stubbornness on my part…But for those first two years I didn’t take time off when I should have. I didn’t trust that another manager “covering” for me would excel as I did. (And they still don’t.) Within these past 2 1/2 years my mother died of brain cancer (1 yr ago) and my aunt died of intestinal cancer (6 months ago). My mother lived abroad and so life had to stop so I could travel to see her ( I took work with me). When I got there we planned for her exit in this world and equally stubborn and defiant she lived another 8 months. My mother and I never got along really well (a love hate relationship) but she was still mother and I felt obligated to do the daughterly duties. In the interim my aunt who lived 4 hours from me needed visits to her doctors and couldn’t drive. I planned my work trips to accommodate these appointments while visiting my reps and working with them. I was people pleaser to all. Then I got sick after my aunt died last January. I hadn’t been sick in 13 years. I used to be proud and boasted to my family and friends how well I was. The sheer mental and physical exhaustion of traveling for work, taking care of sick relatives, a semi handicapped husband had taken it’s toll. I knew from doctor’s advice and reading medical articles that the body shuts down by making you ill so you can rest and recover. So I was down for almost 3 weeks. That was the turning point in deciding to take time off and switch off (Airplane Mode). What a great feature on a phone! If anyone called I didn’t know. Many things happened after I was ill. Our division approved a full time employee for each region and I was hell bent on getting that employee ready to replace me. I started taking time off every two months or so and started saying NO to every request that was asked of me. My full time employee is able to manage my area better than any of the managers that were “helping”. The first time I left him to cover I had him download “WhatsApp” and instructed him to call me if he had an emergency. He called me once. (Wi-fi is not readily available in countries abroad.) I ensured that he could replace me. He continues to learn all aspects of the job and every single time off I have taken since March has gone off without a hitch. Moral of the story we are all replaceable if you find the right person. Sometimes it may take a few tries to get the right person. Take your earned time off and recharge. I encourage my full time employee and part time employees, to take time and the need to have work/life balance as well so that they also do not burn out.
