I have an amazing job. I love it, and I am so grateful for it. But I have to be honest – it’s freaking exhausting.

I am up before dawn every day (including weekends) to get started on my work. I am often up late as well, making sure loose ends are tied up and things are ready for the next day.

I am on call 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. I don’t get holidays off, and forget about sick days! I am expected to show up no matter how I am feeling. I knew this expectation when I accepted this position, but it’s still tough.

I am the manager of all the things around my job and am required to be on top of everything involving the people I work for. I am the one expected to have the answer to every question asked. Sometimes it feels like too much for one person, but I do the best I can.

Often I am met with demands coming from many different people all at once. Sometimes they ask nicely and sometimes not so much. I have learned ways to juggle the simultaneous requests and the various assignments that are constantly on my plate. But, still, I get tired. Both emotionally and physically.

My job does not allow for scheduled breaks, so I grab a bathroom break or meal when I can. Sometimes I will try to steal a few quiet moments for myself, but that is often unsuccessful because there is always someone looking for me. Always.

I often wish I could get a day off. Sometimes you just need a little break to reset and refuel so that you can be your best self, ya know? But right now with the great amount of responsibility that is on my shoulders, this is usually not possible. On occasion I can make arrangements for someone to cover for me for a few hours, which is so nice but often difficult to do. And I’m never really off-duty.

Don’t get me wrong. This is my dream job. I know I’m unbelievably lucky to have landed it in the first place. I absolutely adore the people I work with. I love the work that I do, and I know it’s an important job.

I’m a mother, after all.

What I am trying to say is that moms get tired, too.

And, we can be tired and still love what we do.

*This post first appeared on Mia’s Facebook page.

Read more from Mia Carella on her website, www.ThisMomWithABlog.com, and on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Pinterest.

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