It’s been over two weeks since I began work as an essential service worker and I’m exhausted. Here are 8 points I’ve witnessed as a redeployed staff in a long term care home.
- There is a lot of positive cheer. Upper level staff from head office have been visiting more often to witness how things are going. They ask what department I’m coming from and thank me. Will this continue a year or two from now?
- There is always work to be done in the kitchen. Camaraderie is vital. When people around you work hard, you work hard.
- I haven’t seen any residents. I know them by what kind of drinks, food and utensils go on their trays. I think about them locked up in a room, getting these 3 meals and snacks. I look at the food we dish on and off for them and wonder how they feel about receiving it. It’s temporary, I tell myself, and work on.
- There is a ton of food waste. I don’t want to be negative during this temporary position but seeing it every day makes a hard job, harder.
- This may not be my dream job but it is my dream location. 18 minutes walk from work has always been what I’ve wanted. At the end of a hard day I’m a short walk home.
- Mindful practice in this position has improved me and the way I approach this challenging job. It makes me more aware of my surroundings, posture, the tension my facial muscles make when I’m uncomfortable under my mask. I catch these imbalances more often. It also makes mundane tasks not feel so mundane.
- Days off are extra special. By the time I’m back at work I realize how many more people need me when I’m there than when I’m at home. When I go back to work, I’m ready for it.
- My personal training background has been a lot of use to me. I’ve put myself on a new program to keep my body strong for the 9 hours of standing, twisting, bending, squatting and shuffling back and forth. My body hurts everyday but less and less as it gets use to this new kind of physical labour. (way harder then teaching 5 classes a day!)
Believe it or not, I am still putting customized programs together for some clients online. If you are ready for a program to make you stronger, hit me an email: Leehe@Wholeself.ca
