It's around that time of the year when most people are either closing from their businesses or vacating their jobs for the holiday. Quite unfortunately, while some people are closing, there are others who do not get the luxury of a vacation basically because they are essential staff or they need the extra income going forward.
You see, when a relative of mine first relocated abroad, she had her hands on so many jobs to meet up with her financial expenses. There were times we’d talk on the phone around this time, and she was shivering from the cold. Countless times I tell her how strong she is, as I am of the opinion that if I found myself in such a situation, I just might perish.
But then was that really the case When I found myself multitasking and doing literally everything that were already assigned to other staffs? Well not quite. Notably as I read through the Ladies of Hive prompt for this week on working during the holidays, I am quickly reminded of one of my previous employments.
It so happened that by this time a few years ago, I was managing a hotel and a guest house simultaneously. You see that work almost unalived me. I had no break, plus the pay was very poor, below the minimum wage even. But regardless of the unfair working conditions, I did that job judiciously, like my life depended on it. And while every other day had its trying times, festivities like the Christmas period were more of trials and tribulations.
We had 50 rooms in the hotel and 18 rooms in the guest house. And during the Christmas period, there were lots of festivities which usually leads to all our rooms being fully booked but then not without dealing with all kinds of people. The frustrating part? I do this alone, as the rest employees were usually nowhere to be seen around midnight, when the demand is at its peak.
Again, during these times I become not only the manager but also the receptionist, cleaner, security, etc. Looking back to those years, I really do wonder how I managed it all and still showed up the following day at home to make the Christmas meals and return back to work same day. Honestly that was no life neither was it any way to live.
Those days really did burn me out in a way that such jobs are examples of offers that I will never consider again in my oife even if I’m to be paid millions.
To wrap this up, I’m currently all about the soft life with no stress, please because I have paid my dues lol. Basically, as human beings, there should be a time for rest and family, as even machines do break down when overworked.
PS
All images are mine