(no subject)

[balmofgilead]

Usually menstruation doesn't bother me.  It doesn't squick me out and I don't have much in the way of cramps or anything anymore (they've lessened as I've gotten older).  If anything it's an interesting (if small) change from the routine of daily life.

Tomorrow is election day.  I will work at the polls (not in a spandex superhero costume, alas).  The head poll person is a...special...lady who isn't great about granting food/bathroom breaks, and the board of elections--in all their wisdom--has not mandated any bathroom or food breaks be given during the course of the 14+ hour day. This is an unideal situation in any case, but especially when one has endometrial tissue dripping out of their inner recesses.

It will be an exercise in assertiveness for me.  In reality, the head poll lady has no power over me--if I simply tell another poll worker I'll be back in a few minutes and walk out to use the bathroom, there's not much she can do.  I will still have worked the whole day, I will still have signed in and signed out, and I will get paid. 

Sometimes I (and probably others) have this false sense of someone else's authority/control over me.  Really, it makes sense to examine what exactly their powers are.

Comments

[wlotus.livejournal.com]

I have that false sense, too. Lately I have gotten into the habit of saying to myself, "I *choose* to do XYZ," to remind myself I can always, ALWAYS do what I want to do; it's just a matter of handling the consequences. No one can make me do anything.

[mactavish.livejournal.com]

I'd have a miserable time. I'm pretty much on doctor's orders to use the bathroom every two hours, because I have very slight issues with both stress incontinence and urge incontinence. Neither is severe, but they interact so that when I have to go, I have to go right now. The primary instructions I got from my doctor were "cut back on coffee" (I have) and "go every two hours whether you think you need to, or not" (I do), and that seems to help a lot.

I think your plan -- wait for a lull, tell your co-worker you're going to use the restroom and will be right back, then just go -- is completely workable.