Hey you! Yeah…YOU!
Yup, January is almost over. Can you believe it? With all the resolutions and the NEW Year NEW YOU shenanigans, I wanted to remind you of, well, YOU, just YOU and the work you do EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
My therapist (Yes, I see a therapist on a regular basis and it’s wonderful!) once said to me, “Stefanie, you walk in to battle with people every single day. You put on your armor and fight for freedom along with your clients. Think about that for a minute.” So, I did, and it’s true. Figuratively, we, as mental health therapists are walking into battle every day. We are warriors along with our brave clients. So, we must do for ourselves what we would recommend to our clients. We must be our own best friend. Here’s a good start…
1. Own Your
Morning
.
Take time to reflect when the day is still brand new. Even if this is only for 10 minutes. Take time to be silent, pray, or journal. Notice I did NOT recommend you make a to do list or get on a device. I said, spend quiet time with you, and only you.
2. Have a
transition ritual
.
After seeing clients all day it’s important you have a ritual to transition to home. Do something to “wash off mentally.” Get in the shower quick when you get home, listen to your favorite music on the way home, before leaving the office take 5 minutes and do a reentering meditation. Find something!
3. Be
present
.
Really think about this one. How present are you, really? Do you scroll mindlessly through social media? Are you present with yourself and others or is your device controlling you?
4. Take care of your
physical health
.
Walk, run, lift weights, do yoga, stretch. You get it right? MOVE your BODY!
5. And finally, as Rachael Hollis tells us in her book, Girl Wash Your Face, (I highly recommend it)
“Slow down your yes.”
Protect your time.
When you stop and drop down into the depth of the work we do, it is truly an honor. But it’s also super stressful. Take time for YOU.
