Self Care

Work has been really challenging for the last two days, trying to keep our emotions in check, using our patience, staying calm and being understanding - all at the same time! As a team, we are managing, talking to each other, supporting each other and working together so no one get burned out. Individually, we are all doing our best to look after ourselves outside of our work place. My self care starts with my family and involves my kung fu in a big way (the movements as well as the support group) and has most recently also included my guitar.
I have been working with teens and their families for 25 years and the key to doing a challenging job for a long time is self care. That means making sure that you are leaving the job at the job and doing something to decompress. This can include exercise, venting, doing something you are passionate about, basically whatever works for you. I have been determined to stay in this field for a long time for a couple of reasons; I think that I have a lot to offer, some of my mentors have been doing it for 10 years more than me and I was told in college that people in this field only last 2 or 3 years. I think that I have met that goal and I am not done yet. I believe that I still have lots to offer the kids that I work with as well as my peers and colleagues.
I think that everyone needs self care, no matter what their job or life is like.

Sifu Robyn Kichko
http://mantismantle.blogspot.ca/