What would you do?

[Canjo]

I got a text earlier asking me to babysit next weekend. I usually live helping people.

However lately my job is causing me a lot of stress. It's huge. Nobody understands. I work in care and it's abusive. They would have me working 24/7 if they could. Today is my 6th working day of the week. Definitely since September, it's all been work with limited time off and breaks. I am getting some time off but it's not great. Like I worked a 5 week stint from September to October and that was very hard on my. I genuinely got sick so that was my break.

I have no idea what sort of dumping work will do on my back for the upcoming week.

I am so depressed too.

I am definitely in a weak and fragile state. Physically and emotionally.

I don't know if I will have a normal week or something harder.

Babysit for who and for what reason? Who is asking you to do this? Of course, you are not being unreasonable to say no. Does this person ever do anything to help you out?

It sounds like babysitting could give you a much needed connection to the outside world?

I’ve been there with work, and getting out to do something that helps other people helps me to break out of my internal cycle of being just work-focussed and remember there’s a world out there. It feels like you don’t have the energy, but really provides something you need.

If actually what you really really need is sleep, then just say that to the parents, if they’re good friends they’ll understand (and probably be worried about you)