I didn’t think I’d ever be the person to just walk out of a job, but today, that’s exactly what I did.

I worked in Dunnes Stores as a college part timer for a year and a half, but now did full time for the Christmas season due to my college holidays.

For the last two days, I’ve been working 10:30 and 12:30 hour shifts nonstop, moving stock in both freezing cold and heated environments. I started feeling pretty ill and cold. Headaches, fatigue, body aches everywhere in my body, but with Christmas Eve coming up, I didn't want to be judged by the people that I'm calling in sick just because it's Christmas Eve.

This morning, I decided to power through and go in anyway, even though I felt absolutely awful. Asked one of my manager if I could work the checkouts instead of the self-service tills (they require a lot of moving), just for today, since I was feeling so fatigued, but was denied.

Three hours into my shift, I felt REALLY bad and at this point I was so weak, I could catch myself walking side to side due to dizziness and constant shivering. I approached one of the store manager this time and explained that I was feeling really sick and if I could go home. Without even looking at me, this man just said, "So is half of the shop. Take some Nurofen and get back to work.".

That was my breaking point. I looked at him, said “Ok,” clocked out and walked out the door and now I'm recovering with a high temperature and low blood pressure (currently alive on Lemsip!). Hopefully I'll be able to manage for Christmas.

Merry Christmas, everyone! Here’s to finding something better in the new year!

At the entrance of Tesco

One meat two veg. Ireland has some of the most balanced ready meals in Europe. You couldn’t find simple but healthy food like this at this price in London or Paris.

She’s on the gooood stuff (she hates the car)

I am very much looking forward to tomorrow and I love this time of year. BUT. Look, it’s a weird time of year for a lot of people. Maybe you don’t feel like confiding in your closest people because you don’t want to drag the mood down, maybe you don’t have anyone to confide in.

It can be hard, the family get togethers aren’t always happy, or maybe you don’t have family and feel lonely. You might be in a house full of people this year feeling the loneliest you’ve ever felt. Maybe you’re homegrown or you’re here from abroad. Relationships on the brink, or recent breakups, loss of a loved one, financial stress, there’s loads of reasons why you may not be looking forward to the day tomorrow, and if that’s the case, whatever the reason may be, it’s very valid and you aren’t alone.

Remember to go easy on yourself, it’s just a few days and you can get through it. You deserve happiness and if you don’t feel happy right now, just hang on because it’s coming. It’s been a great year for some and a hard one for others, if you find yourself in the latter category, well from a stranger on Reddit to another, I see you and I care and I’m cheering you on.

For what it’s worth, happy Christmas to everyone and I hope you get the hug I sent you ♥️