Tasia W

I had a bad day! My work requires me to participate in work functions such as volunteering in fundraising events. I work 30 hours a week at this job plus I have a second job where I work 6 hours a week (I need both of these jobs for financial reasons). I also work many unpaid hours just to get done what is needed. I love my career and am dedicated to the clients that I work with.- I willing participate (although often exhausted) in all fundraising events that my company puts on and these are usually on my days off. We have two big fundraisers per year, which requires lots of planning and prep and then we host little ones through out the year. We also plan fun recreation activites, such as barbecues, picnics, plays, field trips, etc.

Well recently the group planned a fun outing although it was a work function it was not a fundraising one. It was just a fun activity. I let everyone know the week prior that I would not be attending! I did not sign up nor did I pay to attend the function. Reason-too tired!

I am married and have 3 step children. Weekends are busy with sports, sports and more sports (often taking us out of town). When I am not at work I am running errands, doing laundry, making dinner, picking up a kid or driving a kid somewhere etc.

Because this was not a fundraising event I bowed out because I was feeling run down, tired and needed to be at home that evening. As I stated before I let everyone know well ahead that I was not attending! I had already worked over 8 hours that day-no break. I have a 20 minute drive home and I did not feel like driving back to town to watch the play which was over 2 hours long.
I work with people all day, I listen to their problems, gripes, issues etc, don't get me wrong(thats my job), I absolutely love what I do!! I just find myself emotionally drained at the end of the day and I need some "me" time when I can get it. I see these people all day and I did not feel like socializing with them that night. Is that wrong of me to feel that way? Am I selfish?

The next day at work my co-worker came down on me hard!! telling me that I was EXPECTED to be there!!, that it was a work function! Well, I had it out with her! I told her that I participate in all the work functions (unpaid hours) that I can and that she was being unreasonable. I told her that if her and the board (I am also part of the board) expected me to be there then it should have been stated to me that I was expected to attend! I also told her that if I was expected to attend then I expect to be paid for my time!! (I was mad at the time and things just flew out of my mouth!)

I have not been feeling well for the past couple of months. I have had flew like symtoms for going on two months. Stiff neck, sore throat, fatigue etc. I start to feel better and then wham it hits me again.

I have not told my co-workers that I have ms. To look at me I appear fine. I am still not ready to tell anyone cause I am still dealing with it myself! Fatigue is one of the biggest issues that I am facing right now and I usually ajm good about taking care of myself. That is why I opted out of this recreational activity.

I feel that my time is being taken advantage of. When I got home from work I cried my eyes out, my husband could not console me he wanted to come to the office and punch my co-workers lights out. Anyways, am I being selfish not to tell anyone? Really, it has not affected my ability to work, I get the job done and then some!!
Thanks for listening,
T