2020 is my 24th year in the broadcast industry. I’ve been on the air through 9/11, a direct hit from a a hurricane, multiple tornadoes, and the 2008 Iowa flood. However the past 72 hours has been the most unique of my broadcast career. The amount of information that we have all taken in from the National, State, and local levels over the past few days has been overwhelming. It seems like there is a constant stream of new press conferences, closures, and new guidelines regarding COVID-19. All of us that work in local media are having to digest the information just the same as anyone else, and then make decisions as to what we should go on air and online with.
If you personally know anyone that works in local media, you probably notice that their “motor” is always running. There’s something about this occupation that draws those of us that go 100 miles per hour at all times, even when we know our bodies have run out of gas. I have probably slept a total of 6 hours in the past 3 days, and I’m sure most of my colleagues would say the sames about themselves. While the rest of the world gets to deal with this stressful situation externally, we have to internalize it in order to continue to do our job properly and professionally. There is a level of mental exhaustion to this that we almost never recognize ourselves, and it takes someone around us to point it out. For me, today, it was a coworker saying “man, you look tired.” I laughed and said “thanks.” I used the restroom a few minutes later, and when I saw myself in the mirror I thought to myself; “Yup. I look terrible!”
At that point I decided to take about a 20 minute drive to clear my head, and write this as a little form of self therapy. You hear the phrase “self care” a lot these days, but sometimes you really do need a reminder that it’s essential. Today was that day for me. What does that mean? For me it simply means acknowledging my fatigue level, and making sure I get a legitimate FULL night sleep tonight. Honestly, it’s that simple for me. It may mean something different for you, but figure out what that “thing” is to make sure you’re taking care of you as we all work though this unique situation together.
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