At the end of the day — you’re just a number to your job.

That has been one of the hardest life lessons I’ve had to learn.

I don’t know where this came about; since I got into the work field, my job has always been my purpose. There has never really been clocking in or out. I’ve always had a laptop to take home to work, been on call, had Slack on my phone, etc. Your laptop goes with you everywhere you do: grocery store, park, vacation, doctor’s office, etc.

Everyone I know is that way, that’s the game in the Advertising & Marketing world. The world does not stop because you go home at 6 pm, you get sick, or are on vacation. You’re on call 24/7. 9-5 is not a thing in this industry, no matter what anyone tells you.

As I’ve had multiple jobs and am a bit older — I’ve started to try and break that train of thought. It’s a slow process, and I’m not sure if I’ll ever fully recover.

I’m thankful now that I work a job that respects my work hours, believes in mental health, and is very understanding. There isn’t to say that there are emergencies — it’s the advertising world. I’m compensated for the extra hours worked. I’m not asked to work 4-5 extra hours every day of the week — and given a slice of pizza.

And last week I received the best life advice: “You are 100% replaceable & none of this will matter 5 years; so don’t let it ruin your day or stress you out. Take a deep breath and have a snack.“

I’ve been laid off twice. Each time realizing it did not matter if I put the extra hours in and dedicated all my time — I was just a number. I am 100% replaceable, I mean nothing to that company. No mater how many times they state, we’re all family here or we value you. At the end of the day, you’re easily replaced.

If you died tomorrow a job posting would be up in less than an hour.

So take this with a grain of salt, go have a snack, take a nap, and don’t stress you’ll only work yourself up. Treat yourself to a mental health day, take a vacation, go read a book, or have an extra cocktail. Turn off your work email and slack.

Because you might be a number to your company, but you’re worth so much more to yourself.