It All Starts With Me

It’s been nearly sixty years since Martin Luther King Jr. declared that he dreamed a dream. No more segregation or discrimination. He was assasinated in 1968, but his words and legacy still lives on. With all the social movements going around, his speech had never been so relevant.

I dream of being in a job that makes me happy, one where I work the same days and times of the week and be able to plan my life properly. I also want to travel again.

Whilst British politicians partied during the lockdown rules that they created, civilians like us had to think of new ways to look after ourselves and the community. We’ve learned not to rely on politicians and world leaders. The majority of them do not know nor care about the vulnerable. They way they work brings little to no empathy or kindness. They would take everybody’s benefits and welfare funds to themselves if they could. Thanks to the many charities, activists and people fighting for their rights and others, they can’t.

We know we can all do our bit. And if I want to be a kinder person in 2022, it’s all got to start with me. It’s my turn to take over what people before me had been fighting for, and I have to fight harder to make sure we keep it.

As a care worker who’s worked in health and social care for years, I am always looking after people. But now I need to look after myself too if I want to carry on with that. Here are some Ways I am being kinder to myself

• Being vegetarian and avoiding dairy products. I believe cutting meat out of my diet and avoiding dairy is one way I am contributing towards making this planet healthier and kinder. I took part in Veganary and I don’t regret it. I opened myself to herbs, spices and vegetables I didn’t even know existed.
• Not buying ready meals. These are often full of chemicals that are not good for me. Many of them can also be expensive and hold little value for money unless you cut it in half, though they’re not always very appetizing.
• I don’t eat out or have takeaways as much as I used to, but their portions tend to be very generous. I only try to order foods that I know I will eat or need to avoid food waste.
• Buying reduced food to stop waste. Not only is this better for the environment, it’s also cheaper for both the shops and for me. A lot of foods with the exception of dairy and meat are safe to eat after their sell-by date. A lot of it is great in the fridge or freezer.
• Take time out to rest. I don’t have to do everything before I get old. I work a lot of hours and go to the gym once or twice a week and that can take up a lot energy.
• Seek medical help when I need it. My knees and body have been hurting a lot. My job requires me to move around a lot. At the gym I am also moving a lot. When I went to the doctors about it I was advised to exercise more and they gave me some exercise for my legs and knees. I feel better for it, but my body aches so much at work, especially after a 14 hour shift.
• Looking at other jobs in the market that will suit me better than the one I got now. I can see myself having a lot of health issues in the future if I stay in the job I am in. I may also do something I will regret.
• No more overtime as my body can’t cope with them. I’ve collapsed at work a few times due to it. That should have been the wake up call for me.
• Speaking out when I feel something is wrong. New management at our workplace kicked out the care home’s animals out. The residents were in tears over it. The animals have nice new homes now, but that action made me lose respect for care homes in general. They never have staff meetings anymore. It’s bad that care homes are struggling to pay their staff properly when the wages are already low as it is. Yes, most of my complaints have been lost in cyberplace.
• As you can see, I feel negative about my work place, and whilst I understand that we have to be positive, you shouldn’t invalidate your anxieties and concerns. That’s why I am going to remove myself in negative spaces.