03 Feb The Everyday Magic of helping Professionals!
As we embark upon a new year I have been reminded deeply and intentionally of the importance of looking after ourselves, especially as practitioners in helping professions.
I have seen many reminders of self-care, alerts around burn-out, research and articles on compassion fatigue and the increasing pressure placed on allied health professionals across sectors.
It has reminded me of a presentation I did a couple of years ago, it was delivered to a room filled with representatives from across the Youth Sector. It was delivered just as we came out of all of the lock downs throughout 2020 and was focused on wellbeing.
But there was a little bit of something different thrown in the mix.
There was a strong message that throughout a really tough time the strength, adaptability and the sheer tenacity of those working in caring professions had never been so important or so recognised, globally!
There was also acknowledgement that during a time of uncertainty, a time when each and everyone of us faced personal challenges and changing circumstances, practitioners still showed up – every day, to support others. Practitioners were expected to remain positive, be resilient, think clearly and basically function as they usually would.
“To fill your cup is an expression which means to replenish those stores of mental, emotional, and physical energy. It means that you need to stop and recharge your batteries.”
- therandomvibez.com
And they did, we all did! Which is pretty incredible!
But this presentation wasn’t just about recognition there was also a request, a special request, of each and every person in that room! A request that I feel is as relevant now as it was then.
I asked each person to take a moment, a moment to reflect – and I would like you to do the same now, as you read this…
‘I want you to take a moment to think about your strengths, your skills, the resilience you bring to the work that you do.
I want you to think about this as your magic!
Your magic is your strengths and your skills, but it is also the things that are uniquely you. The things that come from within you. It is what you bring, what you give, what you teach and what you show by what you do.’
“Any device which has run of battery cannot run properly. Similarly if you are depleted, that is if you feel emotionally, mentally or physically drained then you won’t be able to help other. This means your cup is empty and you need to fill it up with self care, self love, and pamper yourself.”
- therandomvibez.com
That magic, your magic, is what you give to clients every day. You show them compassion, kindness, respect, encouragement. You bring them acceptance, hope and humour. You encourage bravery, find meaning and embrace joy.
So, the purpose of this reflection was to ask those in the room (and you reading this now) to remember to use that magic for yourself too! Remember to show yourself compassion, kindness, respect, and encouragement. Remember to be brave, hopeful, use humour where you can and acceptance when you need.
Remember that to be the best we can be, personally and professionally we need to provide ourselves with the same level of care we provide others. We all know the analogy of not being able to pour from an empty cup!
So, what magic will you embrace for yourself today?
For more reading about taking care of yourself as a helping professional here are some links:
Self-Care 101: You Can’t Pour From an Empty Cup | Psychology Today Australia
Self-Care for Allied Health Professionals — Australian Allied Health Agency (aaha.com.au)
Self-Care for Healthcare Professionals (welldoing.org)
Image Credit: Spoonie Village
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