I can admit it now. It was a struggle for a while. I was telling myself, "hey, I'm not a workaholic. I can quit anytime."
But who was I kidding? Soon it got to the point where I had to work every day. I needed to go to work just to get up in the morning - and vice versa. It had gone beyond my control. I needed help.
Finally I hit rock bottom. Everyone knew it. I was forced to stare long and hard in the mirror and admit to myself that I had a problem and that if I didn't quit, it was going to put me in my grave. With the help of supportive family and loved ones, I was able to give it up - to quit cold turkey. I'm proud to say now that I haven't taken a paycheck in 18 months.
Oh, it was hard at first. That withdrawal can be a bitch. You really become addicted to the sweet rush that paycheck provides! But luckily, I was able to qualify for a government-sponsored program for recovering workaholics. They helped me taper down with a series of simulated paychecks - not the same high as the real thing, but enough to keep you from relapsing.
Sometimes it's hard though. I miss the way work made me feel. Especially when I'm lying on a beach, sipping something relaxing and looking out at the sun-dappled waves, I'll feel a sudden pang for the heady rush of running around trying to get other people's stuff done for money. But I know now that I can never go back.
It'd kill me for sure.
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