With 2+ years of #LifeAtPetSmart (and a former PetSmart summer internship!) under her belt, Megan has truly helped to make a positive impact on our associates in her time with the company. We are so incredibly appreciative of her taking the time to share some perspective with us in support of Mental Health Awareness Month.
Meet Megan | Sr. Human Resource Business Partner
This week, I turned on the news and immediately felt heartbroken and exhausted. I took a few moments to sit with my thoughts and consider how difficult it would be to go about my workday. I am feeling overwhelmed and consumed with so many heavy emotions. I thought to myself, “how am I supposed to act upbeat, meet essential deadlines, and somehow go about my day like none of this is happening in our world?”
These images of darkness and division are especially timely for me since May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I will be the first to admit that my mental health has struggled more than ever before in these past few weeks. I continually wrestle with ways to balance success in my career without letting my mental health crash and my despair slip through the cracks.
When I first logged onto my computer this morning, my manager sent me a note – a straightforward message checking to see how I was doing. I didn’t know how much I needed that until she sent it.
It reminded me that we are all human beings first. We are more than our work deadlines and each one of us is dealing with complex and challenging things in our lives. It is not enough anymore that we separate the two worlds. We are tired – plain and simple – and it can be hard to feel that there is a light at the end of the tunnel when all you see is darkness in the news.
Today, I talked to my leader, peers, and friends about how I felt and was not surprised to hear that all were feeling the same. This hasn’t freed me of these heavy emotions, but even the simple acknowledgment has made all the difference. As associates and leaders of our amazing organization, I urge you to check in with each other. Take off your “work hat” for just a few minutes and simply connect with others. It may feel small – but for associates like me, and the many others impacted, it matters.
The Belonging Program’s “I Belong” Series harnesses the power of empathy through storytelling. This series is intended to give associates a greater sense of understanding, a bridge to gain new perspective, and a way to build connection to each other.