Tuesday Real Talk

Not Every Accommodation Is Laziness — Some Are Survival

Let’s be honest for a moment.

Not every accommodation is about taking the easy way out.

Some accommodations are about making it through the day with dignity.

Working from home.

Being on phones instead of front desk.

Needing a quieter space.

Adjusting how you show up — not if you show up.

That’s not laziness. That’s survival.

There’s a difference between avoiding work and working smarter when your body is asking for mercy. People dealing with chronic pain, fatigue, or invisible challenges aren’t trying to do less — we’re trying to do what we can, consistently, without breaking ourselves in the process.

Showing up doesn’t always look the same.

Some days it looks like standing strong in front of people.

Other days it looks like using your voice while protecting your body.

And here’s another truth — flexibility doesn’t erase work ethic.

It often reveals it.

Because the people who ask for accommodations usually care deeply about doing their job well. They just need the space to do it in a way that doesn’t cost them their health.

So if you’ve ever felt guilty for needing adjustments…

If you’ve ever minimized your pain so others wouldn’t question your effort…

If you’ve ever pushed past what your body asked for just to prove a point…

Let this be your permission to stop explaining.

Taking care of yourself isn’t weakness.

It’s wisdom earned the hard way.

And survival?

That deserves respect.

Question:

Have you ever needed an accommodation but felt guilty asking for it — even though it helped you do your job better?

— Lady Flava