Whew mampos, August has certainly been a demanding month, seeming to stretch beyond its usual length.
As we find ourselves in the final moments of August, with less than an hour before September arrives, I reflect on the overwhelming exhaustion that characterized this month.
The initial two weeks of August were dedicated to serving the nation through reservist duty, subjecting me to physically taxing training and unbearable humidity. Amidst draining days, the nights allowed me to reminisce about my life before becoming a parent, featuring peaceful and uninterrupted sleep. No longer awakened by a crying baby, I luxuriated in a tranquil night’s rest in a super single bed by an open window, accompanied by the soothing sounds of a movie through my AirPods. In essence, reservist provided a refreshing deviation from the typical demands of work and family.
Following those two weeks, I reentered the realm of work, only to be confronted by an onslaught of challenges that had a simultaneous impact on my mental, physical, and emotional well-being. My teammates were struggling to maintain stability, compounded by a colleague falling ill and being unable to contribute for an entire week. Consequently, my already substantial workload doubled. Interestingly, I was blamed by account managers for their hectic period during my absence, as though I had willingly left them to endure hardships while I lounged on a Fijian beach. This insinuation disregarded the reality that I had no choice in the matter. Unsurprisingly, nearly every day necessitated staying late to complete the day’s tasks, in order to prevent the accumulation of unfinished work. August was marked by a continuous flurry of busy workdays. Eventually, we took the step of interviewing potential team members to provide better support during times of absence. Furthermore, I was simultaneously undergoing biweekly leadership training, adding to the already considerable workload. Amongst our Motion Graphics Team, this period was christened “The August War,” and the relief of surviving the month was palpable as we clocked out.
Here I stand, having persevered and grown stronger. A positive outcome of this challenging period was the team’s enhanced unity, as we banded together to confront each day with resilience. This newfound cohesion will better equip us for the anticipated challenges, perhaps in the form of another demanding period towards the year’s end. Though it may be a larger battle, we hope to have an expanded team to face it head-on.
As a long weekend unfolds, it is an opportunity to recover and spend time with my family. My child, AF, is set to begin playgroup next Monday, and while I’m hopeful for a nurturing environment, concerns arise about entrusting him to strangers, especially given recent reports of mistreatment in such settings. The world isn’t always a safe haven, yet we cannot confine him indefinitely.
Will September offer respite? Here we go!