I was really dragging today at work and even started doing the tired head bob in the middle of the afternoon. Yeah, it was pretty bad. (Thankfully, it wasn’t as bad as a production editor who got hired at the beginning of the summer and released three weeks later: he fell asleep at his desk on his third day. Yeah, that’s even worse. One of my coworkers likes to refer to him as “Sleepy McSleeperson”.) But even when I’m really tired, there are still things to be grateful for.
- Having two break rooms at work. There’s one right across the hall in the part of the building where I’m working, but when I’m nodding off, taking a walk to the one further away is a good way to help me wake up.
- Old prescription bottles. After so many years of picking up meds at the pharmacy, I’ve had a variety of different sizes. If I want to recycle the plastic, I can peel off my prescription information and toss them. Alternatively, I can use them to hold other stuff: vitamins… fish oil tablets… coins… that’s right, one style is almost the perfect size for carrying quarters, so I filled one with a bunch of spare change to use in vending machines in the break room.
- Vending machines. Sometimes, you’re hungry and need a snack. Sometimes, you need an excuse to go for a walk that doesn’t involve all of the stalls being occupied in the restroom.
- Multiple restrooms in the building. Because sometimes “Just wait until one of these is available” isn’t a viable option.
- Walking. Because sometimes “Just put on some roller skates and skate to the break room/restroom” isn’t a viable option. Most times. Probably all the time. The employee handbook doesn’t mention it specifically, but I’m guessing no roller skating in the halls is an unwritten rule.
- Legs. Because sometimes “Just walk/roller skate with your hands” isn’t a viable option.