Another Rough Day… But the Kitchen Tried Me Today

Hey… it’s Anna

Let me tell you about today.

Because today? It had a little extra attitude.

 

It started “not too bad”… which should’ve been a warning

The garbage actually wasn’t that bad today.

I know. Shocking.

But then I remembered…

I’m working alone.

Which means I’m not just doing half of the task list.

I’m doing everything.

 

The kitchen… oh the kitchen

So where I work, it’s not a traditional university.

The students cook for themselves.

Which sounds great in theory.

In reality?

It’s chaos.

And somehow… it’s worse now that they’re on summer break.

I don’t understand it either.

 

I have questions. Many questions.

At this point, I’m convinced:

• Making a mess on the stove is part of the recipe

Because every. single. day.

Something boils over.

And I know why.

They always pick the smallest pot to cook pasta.

Why?

I don’t know.

Confidence? Optimism? Poor decision-making?

All of the above.

 

Floor? Sink? Same story

If something falls on the floor?

They are allergic to picking it up.

Like physically incapable.

And the sink?

Don’t even get me started.

They dump food in there like it’s a trash can.

To the point where it’s:

• full
• overflowing
• and honestly… offensive

Rotten food just sitting there like it pays rent.

 

And this is how I realized something…

I don’t have kids.

And this job?

Confirmed that decision.

Immediately.

No hesitation.

 

The invisible worker experience

Here’s something I didn’t expect.

When you clean… it’s like you don’t exist.

People:

• walk right through freshly mopped floors
• dump trash without thinking
• don’t even look at you

It’s like you’re part of the furniture.

Actually no—people respect furniture more.

 

The “good morning” situation

Now listen…

I’m an introvert.

I don’t need conversation.

Matter of fact, I prefer silence.

But where I’m from?

You say:

• good morning
• good afternoon
• good evening

It’s just basic respect.

Here?

Nothing.

No eye contact. No acknowledgment.

And again—it doesn’t hurt my feelings.

It just makes me go:

“Oh… okay. That’s what we’re doing.”

 

But I made it through

I survived the shift.

That’s the headline.

Not gracefully. Not happily.

But I did it.

 

And now… the part I’m looking forward to

I’m OFF.

Thursday and Friday.

And let me tell you…

I have been working since last Wednesday with no break.

So this?

This feels earned.

 

My little plans (because balance matters)

Thursday:

• Laser hair removal appointment at 11:15am
• Then straight to my pedicure spot (because it’s right next door—God knew what He was doing there)

I treat myself every 3 weeks to a pedicure.

Non-negotiable.

After that?

Sleep.

Real sleep.

The kind where nobody needs anything from me.

 

Friday?

Still deciding.

But it’s looking like:

• stay in bed
• do nothing
• mind my business

And honestly? That sounds perfect.

 

Why I keep writing this

It feels good to say it out loud.

To not just carry everything in my body and my head.

And maybe…

Somebody out there reads this and thinks:

“Yeah… I get that.”

Because I know I’m not the only one.

 

Real talk about the pain

I don’t think I mentioned this before but…

My left knee?

No cartilage.

So yeah… knee replacement is in my future.

My right knee?

Working overtime trying to compensate.

And it is not happy about it.

 

What actually helps me

Nothing fancy.

Just what I’ve learned from trial and error:

• Heat (my heating pad is my best friend)
• Diclofenac topical gel (I use it A LOT)
• Ibuprofen (occasionally, not all the time)

I have high blood pressure, so I try not to rely on ibuprofen too much.

But on those extra days?

Yeah… I take it.

 

My go to heating pad

Topical Gel….I swear by… literally my after work lotion from knees to soles of my feet

Ibuprofen

 

One more thing

I tried the dual-action pain reliever too.

The one with:

• acetaminophen
• ibuprofen

And honestly?

It works pretty well.

 

And the dual action…has both ibuprofen and acetaminophen

 

Quick note (because I have to say it)

I’m not a doctor.

This is just:

• what works for me
• what I’ve tested
• what helps me get through the day

Real life. Real experience.

 

To End…

Today wasn’t the worst day.

But it definitely wasn’t easy.

And right now?

I’m just looking forward to:

• rest
• quiet
• not lifting anything heavy

 

Until next time…

I’m going to sit down, relax, and let my body calm down.

Because it deserves that.

And honestly?

So do I.