Thinking About: Crying at Work

Sometimes, I have good reasons to cry at work. Maybe I'm sad about a personal thing, or someone has asked me to write a report that will go nowhere for the thousandth time. Maybe I'm feeling overwhelmed by all the things I've said I'd do but don't have time for (next week - saying "no.") Or maybe I just watched a heart-warming video about a dog who adopted an iguana or some sort of animal wheelchair. Lots of reasons. But I don't do it. The workplace does not tolerate emotion. At work you are to HOLD IT THE FUCK TOGETHER. Your workmates are uncomfortable when your human shows. Work is about getting tasks accomplished and the prevailing view is that emotion prevents this from happening. Tears are poison for productivity. If your co-worker sees you crying, they're all "whoa, what horrible tragedy has befallen this person that they've become so weak as to cry at work?" Weak. There's the rub. Crying is weak. That salty bodily fluid makes us intellectually inferior and incapable of contributing in a positive way. Bullshit. Normally, after a good cry I feel rejuvenated - sometimes sleepy depending on the length, reason and intensity - but mostly I feel better. People are now encouraged to work remotely when need be. Some experts suggest taking 20 minute breaks every 90 minutes to increase productivity and reduce stress. I would like to add crying your fucking eyes out when shit gets sour and not pretending you're a stoic droid to the inventory of coping with your goddamn work life.

*Sorry for the swearing. I'm not allowed to swear at home anymore.