Self-Care is an Inside Job

So three things happened in the last month.  First, a colleague made a comment about how much they loved my blog (mental reaction:  What?  Someone actually reads that?).  Second, a friend told me I was the most positive and optimistic person they know (mental reaction:  Me?  Wow, that’s cool!). Third, on a particularly stressful day a mentor checked in on my self-care.  On this third one I responded by quickly going through my check list (Physical, spiritual, emotionally, intellectual).  They all checked off.  Daily workouts and nutrition – Check!  Daily prayer, reading, and meditation – Check! Plenty of processing with supportive friends –check, check!  And intellectual, well my month has been full of hanging out with brilliant colleagues and students so again –check. 

Here is the thing about self-care.  We often teach it as a check list.  It boils down to take care of yourself, and make sure your needs get met.  This is true but the external acts we take are really a means to an end.  Sure there are benefits to staying healthy and they certainly are an important part of self-care, but the truth is the most important part of self-care is a mind-set.  It is the difference between happiness and joy.  Happiness is situational.  It is fleeting.  We are happy when life goes our way.  Joy on the other hand is constant.  Joy is related to peace and serenity.  It is a spiritual understanding that in both times of tribulation and times of triumph there is a constant in knowing that you can rest in the assurance that in the end all will be alright. 

That sense of joy, that view of the world is what allows me as a social worker and an educator to walk with people in their vulnerability.  People are people.  They are by definition imperfect.  They will stumble and fall and they will rise and overcome.  As a social worker you will see their fear, their weakness, and their shame.  Working effectively with people (and living with them) is like differentiating between happiness and joy.  You must love them and believe in them in a constant way.  You must know without a doubt that whether at the bottom of a valley or the top of a mountain their value doesn't change.  Their value is constant and whether they know it or not irreplaceable.  The world needs them. 

Self-care as a social worker is more than whether or not you did that run.  It is about protecting your joy and your belief in the “inherent dignity and worth of the person (NASW Code of Ethics)”.  Be mindful to protect this, because the world can never be what we have given up hope on.

                                                                                                                    

My hope as an educator is that we will model and teach our students about the very real and complex work involved in maintaining self-care from the inside.  That we will teach students to articulate who they are well, so that when the world is filled with negatitivity they will guard their joy and love for people. 

 https://www.socialworkers.org/About/Ethics/Code-of-Ethics/Code-of-Ethics-English