Take your own needs seriously
My dental hygienist noticed something was wrong.
“Olle, are you okay?” she asked me. “Are you under a lot of stress at work?”
I lied and told her everything was fine. She sighed as she continued to clean out my gums, washing away the blood that dripped from my mouth.
I climbed the career ladder faster than most, and I saw no need to stop. I worked late nights, and thought about my job all the time.
After a while, my job took over everything. It robbed me from valuable time with friends and family, not to mention other fun activities. My life was out of balance, but I was blind to it.
What was worse, I became bitter – both towards myself and those around me. In hindsight, I hid parts of my identity to those I worked with. I couldn't bring my full self to work. Perhaps I experienced minority stress without knowing it.
These changes happened over several years. Like a slow-burning disease, they crept up on me. I refused to take my own needs seriously, and I ignored the early warning signs. In the end, I paid the price for it.
"The body keeps the score," as they say.
I finally went to see a therapist, who helped me get better.
And it led me to where I am today. Now, it's my turn to help others.