I've had many work roles but at the end of the day, I am a Social Worker. It is my strongest professional identity.
It is the driving force behind decades of dedicated work to help a multitude of communities I've been a part of or welcomed into.
To support others with care, boundaries, wisdom and actual resources has been the "how" to my "why".
I love the work that I do. I am so very grateful. I am who I am because of the people I've worked with - I thank you!
Patterns and Habits
Really seeing ourselves (as we evolve) is a journey. Really accepting ourselves and loving ourselves and taking the best care of ourselves - which includes stressful progress and rest - is a journey.
Notice your patterns and habits.
"It is said that we can't attain enlightenment, let alone feel contentment and joy, without seeing who we are and what we do without seeing our patterns and our habits.
This is called maitri - developing loving-kindness and unconditional friendship with ourselves" - Pema Chodron
Emotional Dysregulation
You don't need to wait until things get really bad or judge yourself or someone else for going through it. It happens! We just don't want to get stuck there. Get help. Do something to help yourself. When you are regulated, everything else feels easier.
Being dysregulated can look like:
Mood Shifts
Finding it hard to deal with stress
Angry outbursts
High anxiety
Depression
Feelings of shame
Self-harm
Suicidal thoughts or actions
Substance misuse
Transition Moments
A moment between a storm and calm. Do you know that feeling?
Notice if you feel...
👉Relief that something is over,
👉Concern that damage will now be its own journey to repair,
👉Curiosity about this moment,
👉Fear of the next big storm,
👉Excitement for the new chapter just beginning or
👉Something entirely different.
What it is the feeling? What is your story to yourself and others about this moment?
You and/or your people have probably had direct experiences with this kind of moment that sets the groundwork for how you experience it.