I am taking break.

[Ms. Yoko Anna]

Hi there

Recently, I have been quite stressed out from

Organizing tours
Communicating with clients who don't know how to
Taking bookings
And being disappointed from cancellations.

I had to cancel Regina tour due to all the cancelation I had.

I also have a lot going on in my life.
Currently I am a primary care giver for someone I care about a lot.
Going to schools, and such.


It is getting too much for me.
I think the stress has been there without me knowing it.

This morning, I had another cancelation from Saskatoon, and I had almost melt-down, which seem to me is the sign of insanity.

I think it is healthy decision for me to take a break from work.
(as I cannot take a break from life!)

I will start from one month of break, and see how I feel.


I thought I would like to thank you all for being nice to me on the board.
I hope I will come back soon and will talk to you guys soon.

Ps: I will do sask/wpg tour as planed.

 

[Dgodus]

Feel better soon yoko, happy people stressed out makes me sad.

 

[tokugawa]

Hi there

Recently, I have been quite stressed out from

Organizing tours
Communicating with clients who don't know how to
Taking bookings
And being disappointed from cancellations.

I had to cancel Regina tour due to all the cancelation I had.

I also have a lot going on in my life.
Currently I am a primary care giver for someone I care about a lot.
Going to schools, and such.


It is getting too much for me.
I think the stress has been there without me knowing it.

This morning, I had another cancelation from Saskatoon, and I had almost melt-down, which seem to me is the sign of insanity.

I think it is healthy decision for me to take a break from work.
(as I cannot take a break from life!)

I will start from one month of break, and see how I feel.


I thought I would like to thank you all for being nice to me on the board.
I hope I will come back soon and will talk to you guys soon.

Ps: I will do sask/wpg tour as planed.

気を付けてください。

 

[uncleg]

What Hunka said. Take care and don't be afraid to call on friends if you need help with anything...........

 

[Holly Taylor]

I hope you have a relaxing break! It definitely sounds like you need to take some time for yourself.

Good for you for recognizing that - I bet some people would just try to keep going, and then have a big crash or melt down. It's much better to take a break, figure out what you want, and then figure out how to make that happen.

There might be things you can do to make work less stressful. I know you have other things going on in your life, so it's not just work that's causing issues. However, after taking a good break, you could consider some changes that might allow you to enjoy the fun parts of this job, and leave some of the less fun parts behind.

I get the impression that you really enjoy the work itself, and that you enjoy the company of gentlemen that treat you well. It sounds like the stress is coming mostly from other aspects of this job (last minute cancellations, tedious tasks like organizing tours, etc). I believe that you could make adjustments to some of these tasks and save yourself some time and stress.

Just a few examples:

-Last minute cancellations and no-shows are extremely rare for me. I believe this is because I require references. You could consider only seeing gentlemen who have references, or who pass some other form of screening criteria. I enjoy my work MUCH more since instituting this policy. I feel more relaxed, more respected, and I can just focus on having a nice time. Some ladies will say, "It's just part of the job," and it doesn't bother them. That's fine. But if it bothers you - like it bothers me - then consider ways to minimize this issue. It doesn't have to be references, it could be some other form of screening. There are some gentlemen who don't like this policy, and you will lose their business. Just accept it. Put your mental health and well being first, and you will be able to sustain this career for much longer, resulting in more profit in the long term anyway!

-Spend more time researching touring cities. Often, ladies have similar experiences in certain cities and many are nice enough to share their tips and advice with you. Last year I had a 4 day period to do a little tour. That was all the time I had, so I could only pick one city. After some research, and after talking with several ladies who are experienced in touring Canadian cities, I picked Edmonton. And I had an AMAZING experience there. I have wanted to go back for months, but haven't had the time because I've been busy with school. I might not have had such a good experience if I had picked a city that wasn't a good match for me.

-Don't be afraid to ignore stupid emails and phone calls. I get a lot of emails that I simply ignore. If someone writes me a one-line email, or there is some other indication that we will not be suited to each other, I just ignore it. It's not worth the stress of a back and forth conversation that won't go anywhere. Focus your attention on all the gentlemen who treat you with respect.

Finally, go get yourself a massage and buy yourself your favourite meal! Have a nice day where you treat yourself to some little luxuries, if possible. It doesn't have to be expensive - you could do a 30 minute massage, and buy yourself your favourite dessert. And it doesn't have to be a whole day, because I know you're busy. Maybe just pick a 3 hour block of time. But do something that's all about YOU. In your role as a primary care giver to someone else, I bet you're really focused on that other person. But don't forget that you have needs too.

Best wishes, Yoko!! *hugs*

 

[blazejowski]

I hope you can get some much-needed rest, Yoko - you are a one-of-a-kind lady, and you deserve some time off. I don't blame you, what with your touring schedule, and your studies.

That being said, I am glad you didn't decide to cancel Winnipeg, cause I am looking forward to seeing you once again!

 

[plumbcrawl]

I understand the cancellations are frustrating but it can be tough sometimes to book traveling girls. You advertise your tour well in advance and it sometimes is difficult to know what is going to be happening at 7:00 a month from now. It seems guys are trying to do the right thing by letting you know before you come to town instead of just not showing up at the appointed time. Hope your trip goes well =) (Ps I wasn't someone that cancelled on you....)

 

[violetblake]

Aww that's too bad you're so stressed out Everything Holly said is great advice. Take some time for yourself, because if you're not healthy than the person you're looking after won't be either. It's not selfish to do some self-care, and it looks like you know that anyway, since you're stepping away from this while it's not too bad. Good for you for being aware. I really hope everything works out and life calms down soon

 

[Sleepmonger]

Oh no, you seem like such a happy person.
I couldn’t imagine you being stressed out!

I hope you feel better soon. :high5:

 

[Daytime Owl]

In addition to the great advice already provided by Holly and others, I know some ladies have an assistant to look after the day to day email replies, reference checks, screening, organizing, bookings, cancellations, etc. Hope you feel better soon.

 

[shyboy123]

Good for you in taking some time to recharge it sounds like you will be more than welcome when you are ready to return. I hope all is well.

 

[*emmanuelle]

That's terrible, I'm so sorry to hear that!

In my fantasy future world, our clients will have to leave a CC number and be billed a charge for cancelling under 48 , just like at the dentist. (I know, "dream on" right? But it would do sooooo much for our sanity)

*empathy hug*

 

[InTheBum]

I've had mass cancellations lately too! What gives?
Sounds like you have some heavy stuff going on, it's never easy
You're a smart lady for knowing yourself so well.

Probably stock market dropping like a rock!

 

[InTheBum]

Hi there

Recently, I have been quite stressed out from

Organizing tours
Communicating with clients who don't know how to
Taking bookings
And being disappointed from cancellations.

I had to cancel Regina tour due to all the cancelation I had.

I also have a lot going on in my life.
Currently I am a primary care giver for someone I care about a lot.
Going to schools, and such.


It is getting too much for me.
I think the stress has been there without me knowing it.

This morning, I had another cancelation from Saskatoon, and I had almost melt-down, which seem to me is the sign of insanity.

I think it is healthy decision for me to take a break from work.
(as I cannot take a break from life!)

I will start from one month of break, and see how I feel.


I thought I would like to thank you all for being nice to me on the board.
I hope I will come back soon and will talk to you guys soon.

Ps: I will do sask/wpg tour as planed.

Not a big deal Yoko...you sound like you have too much going on...simplify your life a bit...:thumb:

 

[Ms. Yoko Anna]

Thanks everyone.

The cancelations stress is, I think, the trigger of all stress coming out.

Also, it is one of a few situations that you cannot mess up wth your priority in your life now.
I believe my gut is telling me to focus on being a care giver now.

I hope I will come back soon with refreshed spirit.

Thank you very much for the warm words.
It literally gave me tears reading those.

 

[blazejowski]

So, I wish you the best on your SK/Wpg tour and for your break. And I hope to see you back here soon with a smile on your face and in your heart.

Well, I will do my best to cheer her up...

 

[Walk Softly]

Take care of yourself Yoko.

A rest now and again is good for everyone!

Cheers! WS.

 

[beavereric]

Yoko, I am very sorry to hear that you are hitting a bit of a rough spot in the road. Am also very surprised at that as you gave me the impression that you were able to handle any situation. (remember I visited you last summer on a hot day and had trouble with the entrance, you met me in an long coat at the front door!!) I still visit Victoria on a regular basis and when you get better I like to meet again.
Look after your self and your friends and family. get better soon

respectfully, Randy

 

[Ms. Yoko Anna]

Hahahahaha.
Many people who I met through this business may be surprised to hear this story.

Of course, I am a professional, you would never find me stressed out, sad, nor angry during the time you have me.
During the time you book me, I give all my compassion to you, and that put my problem hidden in the closet.

I am not sure how long I have been severely stressed out.
Everyone have stress in his or her life.
Going through grad school, career, running business, who knows?

I have been afraid to waste my time.
No serious drug, alcohol, nor any other vices that can make my life progress slower just so I can keep go forward. Some of you who have seen me can remember my tattoo on my back. And I thought, hey, why don't I stop, waist my time, and see if that is that bad.
May be it is arrogant of me to think I should not waste my time.
Other animals do, so why not me?
This is a sort of new way of thinking I have been playing with last few weeks.

On top, last few months, I addded another tremendous stress roots in my life.
I signed up for two schools that require a large number of practice cases, reading, researching, and such.

I have given my compassionate heart and spirit to every single clients I met.
I have huge desire to give, and this job was, at first, the perfect job to distribute the desire.

Now, with my family member being ill, I found it is extremely hard to spair much love to others.
I have just about left for this sask tour, and I will go hibernation to restore my spirit and recharge the empty pool in my heart.

We will see.

I truly appreciate everyone's comments.

 

[mjjsk]

Sorry to hear that yoko ann but you can take out your stress on me with our meeting in winnipeg if you do come out next week hope you get well and maybe think of the postive things in life.