Dec
6th
The wellbeing of a wellbeing practitioner...
By Miriam Henke
Over the last couple of months my life was supposed to get simpler.
I finished up a part-time 'secure' coaching job to do a placement
in a psychology clinic as part of my Masters in Psychology program
and focus on my coaching business. I reduced my working hours,
which was supposed to make my life more balanced and
allow me more time to give to myself. This 'simple' life has
'simply' not come to be.
My week days fill up quickly; my weekends are a busy mix of business and pleasure. I can barely remember the last time I had a whole day to myself! So what am I doing? I don't think I'm intentionally wearing myself out, burning my candle at both ends. What I'm doing with my time is enjoyable, it's inspiring and I'm making a difference to many people's lives, which generates it's own energy. Perhaps this is how I've managed to keep going with this hectic schedule! Maybe.
Self-care is very important to me - it's one of my highest values. I always address clients' holistic wellbeing with them as part of my standard coaching practice, in an effort to restore balance, enhance life satisfaction and increase longevity. One of the fundamental beliefs I have as a wellbeing practitioner is being a model of someone cultivating their wellbeing and making it a priority. This is important for credibility - who's going to listen to someone who doesn't take their own medicine?!
It's time for me to wind things down, say 'no' a little more and discipline myself to schedule time for 'me'. Not just an hour here or there, but precious whole days to just 'be', relax, unwind and reflect. My wellbeing is not just important to me - if I burn out I'm no good to anyone!
Reflective practice is important for anyone involved in working with other people, particularly those who practice healing techniques and modalities. It can be all to easy to give away all your energy, love and light to your clients and either leave little to yourself or neglect to recharge quickly and frequently. As part of my psychology study at the start of 2010, a wise and quirky lecturer set myself and my fellow students an assignment to keep a reflective journal. "Be honest with yourself, record your thoughts and feelings whatever they are about yourself as a practitioner", she said.
So for the last 9 months I regularly reflected on my professional life, recording my thoughts, feeling, insecurities, joys, challenges and successes. What a marvellous practice! I've enjoyed the process so much, I'm going to incorporate my reflections into my Adelaide Wellbeing blog. Sharing with my friends, colleagues and community my experiences and learnings. I encourage you, my reader, to do the same. Together may we grow, learn and celebrate the joys of good self-care and honest reflection!
My week days fill up quickly; my weekends are a busy mix of business and pleasure. I can barely remember the last time I had a whole day to myself! So what am I doing? I don't think I'm intentionally wearing myself out, burning my candle at both ends. What I'm doing with my time is enjoyable, it's inspiring and I'm making a difference to many people's lives, which generates it's own energy. Perhaps this is how I've managed to keep going with this hectic schedule! Maybe.
Self-care is very important to me - it's one of my highest values. I always address clients' holistic wellbeing with them as part of my standard coaching practice, in an effort to restore balance, enhance life satisfaction and increase longevity. One of the fundamental beliefs I have as a wellbeing practitioner is being a model of someone cultivating their wellbeing and making it a priority. This is important for credibility - who's going to listen to someone who doesn't take their own medicine?!
It's time for me to wind things down, say 'no' a little more and discipline myself to schedule time for 'me'. Not just an hour here or there, but precious whole days to just 'be', relax, unwind and reflect. My wellbeing is not just important to me - if I burn out I'm no good to anyone!
Reflective practice is important for anyone involved in working with other people, particularly those who practice healing techniques and modalities. It can be all to easy to give away all your energy, love and light to your clients and either leave little to yourself or neglect to recharge quickly and frequently. As part of my psychology study at the start of 2010, a wise and quirky lecturer set myself and my fellow students an assignment to keep a reflective journal. "Be honest with yourself, record your thoughts and feelings whatever they are about yourself as a practitioner", she said.
So for the last 9 months I regularly reflected on my professional life, recording my thoughts, feeling, insecurities, joys, challenges and successes. What a marvellous practice! I've enjoyed the process so much, I'm going to incorporate my reflections into my Adelaide Wellbeing blog. Sharing with my friends, colleagues and community my experiences and learnings. I encourage you, my reader, to do the same. Together may we grow, learn and celebrate the joys of good self-care and honest reflection!
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