I’m half way through the Indiana Chapter of the NASW (National Association of Social Workers) conference in Indianapolis.  I look forward to the chance to learn some new material and techniques, reconnect with other social workers, and be encouraged by others who struggle with some of the same frustration and compassion fatigue that I do.  This afternoon’s workshop was entitled “The Ethics of Self Care”, and there was some material that really grabbed me by the throat.  Social workers are above average for risk of burnout and compassion fatigue.  Not a surprise, but it got my attention when spoken aloud.

In the past few weeks, I’ve found myself feeling rundown and stressed and not doing a very good job of taking care of myself.  The speaker today quoted an author (John Norcross) while talking about why it is that social workers know how to tell clients to take care of themselves, but they tend toward self-neglect in certain areas, and he said “It’s easier to be wise and mature with others than ourselves.”  He asked the room why that is.  Why do we not take the good advice we give others?  We don’t heed the airline’s advice to put on our own oxygen mask before we help our neighbor.  Someone in the back of the room suggested that it may be shame about being seen as needy.  Gulp.  She said out loud what I fear in my gut: God forbid someone see me as needy.

So, I sit in a hotel in Indianapolis, doing some of that self care.  My brain is still processing some of the discussion about taking care of myself and what that may look like in practice in my life.  For the moment it means a hot shower, clean sheets, and a little Iron Chef America.  What do you need to do to take care of yourself?