Anonymous
I am not sure where I got it from. Maybe it was being the son of immigrant parents, my overachieving peers, or just expectations of myself. Either way, I grew up with this crazy good work-ethic and by the time I got to college, I ended up being kind of good at working. It was almost enjoyable to just grab a coffee, throw on some tunes, and get into the zone.
However, my life was turned upside down in the middle of my freshman year of college. And my once “healthy” work-ethic, became a crutch for dealing with the premature death of my father.
My dad passed away in a car crash well before his time, and I took it hard... even if I did not show it. Like most people, I was looking for something to distract me from the whole thing. So, I did what I was good at: work. I studied all day, took on every responsibility at every club, and filled all of my leisure time with busy activities.
Don’t get me wrong, I still saw my friends and went out, but I was definitely burning the candle at both ends. I had a one-way ticket to burn out before I would even reach my mid-twenties. And the crazy thing was, I did not even realize it was happening. I did not realize I was using work as a way to avoid facing the new world I was thrust into.
I was running away from it all. Running from the fact that I lost someone so special. Running from dealing with what happened to my family. Running from the fact that I did not see my dad enough as a kid. Running from the reality that I never got to say goodbye.
And like all runners, you eventually get tired.
At some point after college, I looked around me and realized that this was not the life I wanted to live. I did not want to work all day and be married to my laptop 24/7. I had to make a change. I had to step into the ring, take the punches, and see what life was really all about.
And you know what? I found out that life is hard, it’s ugly, and that nothing is ever going to fill the void left by those you love. But, I also realized that there is something that can make your life full of more joy than you could possibly imagine: People.
Looking back on my years as a “workaholic”, the only things I really remember are the fond memories with my friends, family, and housemates. They made my life worth living, and although life would not be the same without my father, I knew that I was loved. So, I implore you, put your people first. Never be too busy for those you care about because one day they might not be there.
