To not want to go to work this week for no particular reason

[citruslemon]

I don't know whether everything that's happened this year has caught up with me (separation, new home, new job, new school for DD) or I'm suffering from Seasonal Affective Disorder... But I really have been feeling sad these past few days and wonder whether some time off would do me good. I only take time off when DD is on hols from school, so running around after a 5 year old never feels like time "off"! Have limited leave left and am tempted to take some sick days - can I use being "sad" as a reason? This week is busy at work as I'm coordinating large-scale events with lots of (disorganised) people and that is adding to my stress :/ Anyone else ever feel like this??

Yes, I felt like this recently. Love my job but just did not want to be there. Wanted to be at home doing my homely things. I have been tempted to do sickies but I think once you start 'and get away with it' it can become quite a habit.

YANBU to feel the way you do, it's understandable given the year you've had.

However, taking 'sick' days when you're not really sick is a slippery slope and I personally think feeling a bit sad doesn't equate to being sick. Sorry.

Maybe I'll just take a day of annual leave and go spend it in the salon getting my hair and nails done. That usually cheers me up!!

If you call in 'sick' will that put colleagues under extra stress and pressure? If so that's not really fair.
Unless you are suffering from actual depression or other MH problem I think it's unreasonable to call in sick. Most people feel like they need a break from time to time.

I felt the same at the beginning of the week; I seemed to have masses on but as I've worked through them one at a time and took a couple of early nights it's got a little better.

I look knakt though

I empathize totally, but I think its best to go in, face down a hard week and then put the kids to bed early on Friday and drink lots of wine

sickies are never as fun as you think they will be. You'll let people down, the guilt will make you stressed, and your return to work will be shit and stressful because you'll be playing catch up and wish you hadnt wasted time watching Jezza Kyle.

Absolutely chuck a sickie.
Life is short.
You need some time to yourself and to recharge your batteries.

I wouldn't throw a sickie, but how about half day Thursday and day off Friday with dh looking after dd Sat morning so you can lie in? Only one and a half days leave but you will feel so much better. I was stressed to tears earlier this month and did this, worked wonders! I had a bath, read, knitted, went for a walk...I didn't talk to anyone or do anything for anyone...bliss!

My work is flexible and I plan my own diary, albeit within certain parameters. Looked at the weather yesterday and thought ....nah! Had a couch day and didn't shower until 4pm ish..... resulted in feeling guilty, a wasted day, more pressure to play catch up today (which was shit by the way) and less leeway for flexibility for the rest of the week. So no...seize the day, the sense of achievement/success that you've triumphed in the face of adversity will far outweigh any navel gazing/hiding under the duvet! :D

The difference a day makes! The event I've been organising went so amazingly well that right now I couldn't be happier:) so you were right fiftyandfab, the sense of achievement & success feels great!!
Have got other half to book me a massage though :)