So much of what I do as a Therapist requires me to be available (and effective) in providing encouragement and motivation for change – Change that makes my clients feel healthy, productive, proud, and connected to the things and people that are important to them. Being intentional about my practice of self-care is essential to me being able to accomplish these tasks with and for my clients, while ensuring that I have access to the same.
“Self-care is an essential social work survival skill. Self-Care refers to activities and practices that we can engage in on a regular basis to reduce stress and maintain and enhance our short- and longer-term health and well-being. Self-care is necessary for your effectiveness and success in honoring your professional and personal commitments.” Source
I often hear from friends, family and clients, “I don’t know how you do it.” Questions like, “How are you able to listen to so many bad things everyday?” and, “How does it not get to you?” never get old. A few years ago my go-to response was ‘I don’t know, I just do it.’ I was being fueled by the drive I had for my work and did not realize that I was in an auto-piloted survival mode and headed towards a crash. It wasn’t until I burned out that I came to appreciate the impact that being intentional with how I maintain my mind, body and spirit has on my ability to do what I love at my best.
What my daily self-care practice looks like today is starting my day with movement. I began prioritizing movement as self care in 2020, and am currently on day 19 of a personal 30 day challenge (30 minutes of intentional physical movement each day). Starting my work day with a workout allows me to go into my work feeling proud, strong and capable of taking on whatever may come that day – endorphins for breakfast can’t be beat. On days when I haven’t had what I needed to wake up and move, I completed my 30 minutes in the evening and allowing myself that flexibility has assured that I’m still connecting with those feelings of proud, strong and capable at some point in each day.
When I previously worked in community mental health I missed a lot of meals. There were many work days during which I either did not eat or had my meal at my desk as I worked. I’m certain this did not help with the burn out that I mentioned earlier. When I was only working in private practice, scheduling my lunch time (and sticking to this schedule) ensured that I ate, and that I had some time in my work day to disconnect and recharge for the day that was left. Returning to corporate has come with no longer having control over my schedule, and I am certainly working through many scheduled lunch periods; however I have exercised control over the time my schedule does allow me to support not missing lunch, even when it means eating a little earlier or later than scheduled. I also cook regularly and am sure eat food that I enjoy, I am a beast at honoring my bed time, I see my therapist regularly, I journal in between sessions, I’m connecting more with friends and family, and I am engaging in hobbies that bring me joy.
Some self-care goals that I am currently working on include: Checking in with friends more regularly, making time for travel, and exercising my creative brain muscles. A Self-Care Assessment can be helpful with gaining insight into what your self-care needs may be. I have a free Self Care Assessment that is great for daily check ins!
Prioritizing and continuously checking in on my self care goals now allows me to answer the question of, “How do you do it?” with “By making sure that I am taking care of myself.”
Cultivative Counseling 