Grief with work

One of my biggest regrets professionally and personally is declining a speaker opportunity because “I didn’t feel ready” at that specific time in my career. What my asker knew is I had done it several times before, and it was very aligned with what I was doing with my work - women driven work placement initiatives.

My biggest lessons from that experience are:

1. Sometimes we really do need to think beyond our personal selves and understand the significance our professional flag can represent or even do for others.
2. Listen to your village! Our circles can know us well beyond our current limitations.That’s why we even ask for advice to our closest confidants in the first place. My asker, had been my best friend for 19 years.

Now unfortunately for many of us, a best friend even of those many years, don't actually qualify as family for one to take grievance leave. We just have to manage. I urge you to manage in the most healthy way possible - write, tell, utilise your number one love language because it makes a difference in your performance and how you actually show up at work/ with your work.

I eventually took to writing,consistent cleaning, relaxed exercise i.e. Yoga and Pilates (more suitable to my body after almost damaging it from crossfit) , listening to alot of Indie music and most importantly sitting in my grief- which looked different almost every single time and continues to.

Just try, and let your team know where you are and generally why - it goes a long way.

Many medical schemes and providers do have a facility to get support. You can always ask your HR or health provider what's available to you and how it works e.g. covered upto 70% etc. A great resource to work through whatever vulnerable situation you are dealing with is Dr. Karen: [email protected]

If you feel you are at your whitsend the lovely Dr.Kitazi will be a big help at Aga Khan University Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya: +254 722 317193