Fake it until you make it, right??
Sick people know how to do something really well, fake being healthy. We are really good actors. You may ask, why would we fake being well? Plenty of reasons:
- We don’t want people to worry
- We HAVE to go to work (Sick days eventually run out and bills need to get paid)
- Tired of being sick
- It’s easier
Recently my childhood best friend was in town and we planned to have dinner together her last night. Well, that day I was in excruciating pain. I left work early and took a long hot shower. My friend would definitely have understood if I canceled like a sane person, but I missed her wedding because I was in the hospital AND I was sick during her last visit. I was determined to see her. So I put on some makeup and a smile and hid the pain I was in.
At dinner, I didn’t TOUCH a thing. Honestly, just the sight of food was rough. My friend noticed I wasn’t eating and I explained that my stomach was a little iffy. We hugged goodbye and hopped in the car to go home and I just started crying. Pain sucks, but trying to mask it just makes it worse.
A sensible person would have canceled and maybe gone to the hospital. Reason and logic sort of go out the window when I’m in pain.
The easiest way to hide you’re sick – good makeup, smile and stand up straight. I’ve written about this before and I have plenty of photos of myself that look like I’m having a great time, but I know that I was miserable.
I’ve gotten better at not doing this and giving my body rest when it needs it, but I’m still human. I can’t say I’m always going to do what I should do. Life keeps going and it doesn’t wait for you if you’re sick. It’s a sad truth. That’s why I truly enjoy the good moments, it makes the rough days a little easier.