The Holidays and the Social Worker

Happy Holidays Readers,

I have not had anything too interesting to write about in the last month.  Work has been evenly busy and my relationship with my supervisor has been alright.  There are a lot of changes happening in the agency I work for and there is the potential for more openings to be coming up in the future.  In anticipation of this I have been doing a lot of reflecting about where I am career-wise and where I want to be.  In general I am not looking to take on more responsibility, more travel or more irregular hours.  Undoubtedly I will be taking a pay-hit if I take another job at my agency since it very likely won't be a social work job.  I am still firm in my belief that my current social work job will be the last one I have.
But alas, on to my blog post topic of the holidays.  For most of us this is a restful time with a quieter caseload and days off provided by the agency we work for.  It's a time when we get to reflect on ourselves, and our relationships with family and friends.  With the New Year coming we are also thinking to the next year and what our personal and career goals will be.  My resolution is not to make any resolutions since I don't want to set myself up to fail with unrealistic goals.  I do however, vow to have a better year than the last one and to not repeat the mistakes I made previously.

So my advice then for you dear readers during this holiday season is to try and relax even though it may be hard since you are so used to going a mile a minute at work!  Think about what gives meaning to you both at work and in your personal life and try to take small steps in that direction.  You do not have to share your dreams with anyone and you don't even need to justify them to yourself.  Dreams give us passion and this is definitely the right time of year to embrace in the possibilities!

As Always,

Patti

Boundaries and the Social Worker

Hello Readers,

I want to give a special mention to those Social Workers who are in the military as in Canada November 11 was Remembrance Day.  These Social Workers face unique challenges that many of us will never experience.  Often they are in the trenches (at least metaphorically) with the people they are trying to help.  They too are missing their family members and friends on top of facing professional isolation.  There is likely little separation between their work and personal lives when they are on duty and their own safety can be put at risk in work zones.  Anyway, I wanted to let those Social Workers know we are thinking of them.

In regards to the topic of my post, this is something I have been working very hard on lately.  Creating boundaries.  Most of the time I feel this heavy weight of responsibility on my shoulders - at work and at home.  I worry about my career and if it is on track.  I hope I am making the best decisions possible for my future and for my life today.  And I am learning to say no when work cuts into my personal time, especially when it doesn't need to.  Also, I feel like I am doing a better job at educating my supervisor about how long my job really takes to do because the time frames she gives me are often not realistic.  For my personal life, I am now creating boundaries with my volunteering.  The person I am supposed to be helping has been stringing me along and as much as my mother wants me to keep trying I am getting frustrated.  I do not like chasing people when it's not related to work!  Like many Social Workers I have been so good at giving thoughtful advice to others, and now I am beginning to realize I deserve the same amount of consideration for myself.  I am learning what I can handle and what my boundaries are and I am now starting to put up a fight when both are being threatened.

As Always,

Patti

Should You Take a Temporary Social Work Job?

Hi Readers,

Some of you might be currently working in a temporary social work job while others may be considering it.  I know of several social workers who have taken a temporary position - often to cover a maternity leave.  I myself have never had a temporary social work job but here are my thoughts on it based on the observations made from the experiences of my temp social work colleagues.

You may be new to the city, fresh out of school, burnt out in your current position, or recently laid off.  You need a job as soon as possible and the only job you could find or were offered is a temporary one.  Hmm, now the question becomes should you accept it or wait for a permanent position to come up?  Here are the pros and cons to accepting a temporary social work position which might help you to make your decision:

PROS

- You are not committed to remain at the job for a long period of time so if you don't like it you can leave when the term is over

- You get to try out different types of social work areas before settling on one

- If you end up in a toxic work environment you can feel better knowing you will not be there forever

- You get the opportunity to network with different colleagues, supervisors and managers and you can use those connections in the future

- If you don't like living in one place for too long it is easier to move around with a temporary position

- You get to test out the job and if you like it and prove to be good at it, your employer is more likely to consider you should a similar full time position come up 

CONS

- You don't have the security of a permanent income

- It could be hard saying goodbye to your clients and co-workers if you have good relationships with both

- It is harder to make long term plans if you don't know where you are going to be work-wise in the future

- You are concerned a lot of social work positions on your resume over a short period of time won't be attractive to future employers

- You loose out on the opportunity to move up in the organization which can only occur with time and experience

For myself, there were times I wish I had accepted temporary positions instead of permanent ones especially for some of the more stressful social work jobs I have had.  It would have made it easier to move on since the decision of leaving would have been out of my hands.  I wish employers would offer short listed candidates the opportunity to job shadow to see what the job is really about.  I think a lot of us would have second thoughts after a close examination of the work environment and duties.  However, some employers are betting on our naivete to fill high turnover high burnout positions.  But whatever route you go, just be sure to listen to your heart and weigh the pros and cons carefully.

As Always,

Patti

Career Planning and the Social Worker

Hi Readers,

I have been racking my brain over the few weeks about what my work options are.  I admit, in the last week work has calmed down more however the stress is still there.  I am trying my best to decrease my responsibilities on the weekends so at least I can have a couple of days to relax.  It is nice not to have a schedule, to sleep in and distract myself with some good t.v.  During the rest of my spare time I research different careers in the hope that there is something out there that can better meet my needs.  But it's not easy, especially with my social worker's critical eye.  I read between the lines and see heaping amounts of responsibility, or crazy work hours or a lot of travel.  Sigh.  Then I start all over again.

I look at my agency which has several offices in different cities and I wonder if there is a position in another office that might be a better fit.  I have even agreed to learn some new work tasks which could parlay into having the experience to do another job at my agency.  It's a job with very limited travel and regular hours.  However, I think it would be very challenging to finally get this job as it does not become available very often (like a couple times a decade!).

And then I had an idea yesterday which hit me like a bolt of lightening.  I don't know why I didn't seriously consider this before.  What about doing social work PART TIME?  In about five years I will be able to afford to do this and I know there are positions at my agency that are part-time.  It would allow me to have more time to pursue hobbies, volunteering and finally attain the elusive creature otherwise known as work life balance.  Less pressure, less stress, less anxiety.  It seems so appealing, especially if I can still have benefits as a part time worker.  I do feel some guilt since I don't have a family as I imagine the reasons why many women who work part time due so because of family obligations.  But I also know that keeping up with this hectic pace is insanity and I want to be able to enjoy my life more.  I don't want to wait until I retire before I get to do all the things I wanted to do in my life.

However, career planning for social workers can be tricky.  We always need to think a few steps ahead from where we are today to where we want to be tomorrow.  And things can change so quickly like our health or our family situation.  Our agencies also change and so do our job descriptions.  The things we wanted for ourselves may no longer suffice.  We may have reached our ultimate career goal and then find out we want something different.  My only recommendation is try and see your career in small blocks.  Imagine yourself where you want to be in the next year or five years.  Then when you reach that new phase imagine new goals for yourself.  And try to remember it is not one straight line up to the top.  You do not need to become a supervisor or manager if that does not fit with your values, personality or talents.  You can move up and then move back down.  Or you can move across to do something different.  There are many career options out there for us social workers and don't feel limited by other people's opinions of what your career path should look like.  Listen to your body, mind and heart.  I know I haven't taken a traditional career path, although whatever moves I make next I want them to be better-informed then the ones I made before.

As Always,

Patti

Supervisor Update Part 1

Hi Everyone,

I figured I would give you an update about my work situation.  The rest of the week has been equally stressful as it was earlier.  More crises came up at work which had to be dealt with.  I suppose that is one of  the hardest things I find about my work - the surprises.  I feel like I have everything under control and then another thing comes up and I have to jump into crisis mode.  It's terrible for my anxiety and I am starting to get physical symptoms too like chest pain.  My supervisor is not helping either.  The other day she said that basically my clients like her more than me.  Sigh.  That was the last thing I needed to hear at the end of a very long week.  What she doesn't understand is that I need to ensure my programs are following policy and I can't always be their best friend.  It is not that I am mean to them or unfair, I am just doing my job.  And not being in a front line position, I don't think my supervisor can understand that.  She then also gave me a dig about how much time I had spent at a program.  Another sigh.  I don't know if I intimidate her or she thinks I will eventually go after her job but that's not the case.  Maybe this is one of the drawbacks in working in a mostly female dominated field - the drama.

For the past several weeks I have been considering my options.  I have enough debt that I need to stay at this job for at least 3-5 years.  I wonder about transferring to another position within my agency after that but to be honest I am getting tired of dealing with the public and having a caseload.  Since I am an introvert I am wondering if I should look at something quieter and more suited to my character.  I believe I went into social work with the best intentions of wanting to help people but there are so many other things involved.  I would love for my world to be more concrete instead of constantly having to consult and interpret grey policies to do my job.  I suppose it's more independence I am after.  But I don't want to consider a large decrease in pay either.  I have looked at some online certificate programs that are quite different from social work - but I feel that eventually I will become unsatisfied with those jobs as well.

I am greatly inspired when I read stories of people leaving their cubicles to travel but I don't know if I am that adventurous.  I have done my best to limit my obligations - I have no husband or children but I do have my debts.  However, once they are paid I will have more freedom.  Of course, there is also the option of staying in my job and field.  New supervisors and management will come and then go.  The agency will change and so will my duties in the future.  I could travel more as a way of making up for my stress at work but I am afraid of becoming angry and bitter inside.  Maybe the key is getting out of an office environment or finding a job where I can work more on my own with a routine set of tasks since I seem to do better with routine.

My mother has suggested I speak to a career counselor about my options and I agree with her.  It is something I am going to pursue in the new year.  She asks me when I am going to stay in one job for a while and stop moving around.  To be honest I don't find that very fair.  Several of my co-workers have tried different social work jobs and there are others who I know who have left the field entirely.  It's a fine balance for me, I need to protect my health while also supporting myself.  I think a lot of people are in this boat and not just social workers.  Society puts a lot of demands on us - to be confident, successful, wealthy, expert multi-taskers.  And if we don't fit or reject the mould we are seen as social misfits and questioned by any and all.  But deep down I think a lot of us are just trying to find our place in this world and many through our jobs.  However, since I don't see my situation changing any time soon I have resolved this week that I am not going to let the drama and crises get to me since I won't be in this job forever.

As Always,

Patti

Supervision and the Social Worker

Hello Dear Readers,

As promised, I am updating more regularly now!

I am experiencing something at work which I would like to discuss.  For the most part I have a great supervisor.  We hang out sometimes outside of work, and she is usually readily available to go over questions or complex situations with me.  She is close in age to me and we have some common interests.  The problem I am having is that at home she texts me about work.  This in turn gets me anxious about work because I am not there to address the issues.  Another big problem is that when something goes wrong at work she makes me feel responsible for it, even when it is out of my control.  If a client wants our agency to do something for them and it does not necessarily follow policy she makes me feel like the bad guy for questioning it.  However if something was to go wrong I know I would get in trouble.  I work very hard for my clients and am very thorough in my process however my supervisor constantly points out flaws in my methods.  I always get my work done well but it never feels good enough.  It's like I am always doing something wrong and it eats at my self esteem and confidence.  It's like I will never be good enough at my job or have enough knowledge as she has.

Hmm, what is a social worker to do?  I feel like she is selling me out and siding with my clients when it is convenient to her.  It's times like this I want to run away screaming from my social work/office environment.  And when I say office environment I mean that I know this happens at many other work places.  It is not exclusive just to social workers.  In sucks knowing that your supervisor does not have your back - and that they do not care about your feelings.  And as my mother likes to say, your boss is not your friend.  This is one of the reasons why I cannot see myself in a management position.  This is because the higher up you go the more political your position becomes.  You become terrified the clients will complain if they don't get what they want.  And that is the problem with having such a public social work job - everyone is watching for your decisions but you can't make everyone happy.

As Always,

Patti

The Overly Stressed Social Worker

Hello Readers,

Sorry there is no picture with this blog post today but I just got a new computer and only realize now that I should have gotten a mouse!

One big reason as to why I have not been writing regularly is because of my very broken computer.  I kept it for as long as I could since it has a nostalgia factor for me.  You see my mother bought it for me when I first became a social worker which was during a time when I didn`t have much money.  It was an unbelievably generous gift on her part but I figure it`s time to move on since it is hard to type a blog on my cellphone.

Now I will give you all an update on my work situation.  It has been extremely busy and stressful lately.  Even though I do not have a traditional social work job any more I still have a caseload.  And several of the clients on my caseload are having difficulties - which I am even hearing about from the community.  Many of my clients are expecting me to make big decisions for them.  They are wanting me to be the bad guy to those they are accountable to.  And overall I am feeling trapped by grey policies which I am trying to interpret to the best of my abilities.  My supervisor is not being supportive and right now the expectations I have on me are pretty ridiculous.  I have a lot of paperwork due soon and I seriously question how it is all going to get done.  And the worst part is I feel like my superiors will be judging me on my performance which they will likely view as inadequate when I cannot meet these deadlines.  Ugh!  I try and explain to those around me that I have a lot of responsibility and accountability in my job but I don`t think they quite grasp it.

For many social work jobs the pressure that is put on us is considerable.  Our decisions, actions and inactions have far reaching consequences.  Lives are impacted by what we do - and it is often the safety and security of others that can be effected.  We have a lot of people looking at us - especially when there are problems.  And where I work I cannot escape my clients - I run into them all the time in the community.  Therefore I am always the social worker, even in my personal life.

I think my problem is I care deeply for my work.  I try and give it 110% everyday and I don`t like it when the odds get stacked against me backing me into a corner.  I hate how things become my fault when I have no control over these crises in the first place.  I suppose it is the amount of responsibility that is truly getting me down.

And whenever work becomes overly stressful and intimidating I begin to daydream about a different life.  Like most people I begin to wonder what it would be like if I was doing something else.  I wonder about a job where it wouldn`t be suggested to me I take anxiety medication in order to `cope` with it.  I dream about a job which is more concrete - where making decisions isn`t so hard because you have so many details and possibilities to consider.  I imagine a job that has regular hours and where my employers respect my home life balance.

Overall I think about how much social work has taken from me.  In general I feel exhausted after all I went through since becoming a social worker.  I don`t know if there is a magically right job for me.  But maybe social work just doesn`t match my personality no matter how hard I try and make it fit.  All I know is that I have a lot of searching that I need to do and it is going to take time.  I am wondering if this is the last social work job I will do.  And I am seriously considering about moving on from this field in the future i.e within the next five years or so.  Whatever I do next, I hope it is quieter.  And the amount of money I get paid will not be the priority.  I have learned that more money does not make you happier.

Anyway, I hope I did not depress you my dear readers with the update on my work situation.  Honestly, the rest of my life is going fantastic!  And I am very grateful for that as nothing is worse than having both your personal and professional life going awfully at the same time!

Also, now that I got my new computer you can be sure that I will be updating my blog more regularly!

As Always,

Patti

The Rejuvenated Social Worker

Hello To All My Dear Readers,

I am sorry it has been so long since I have updated my blog.  But as you all well know, life can have a habit of getting in the way.

Many changes have happened in my life since I have last written.  I went through a break-up, I passed my one year anniversary in my new job (which I guess is no longer new!), there was a death in my extended family, I had surgery, I am going to be going home very soon to see my family and I will be downsizing and moving into a smaller place.

These have all been positive changes in my life.  And perhaps the greatest change has been that I am no longer on any prescription medication for my depression and anxiety.  It has almost been 3 months and I am feeling great!  I admit I am taking natural supplements and I doubt if my depression will ever truly go away but I am feeling healthier and more in touch with my emotions.  I finally reached a point where all the crises in my life that had led me to start taking the medications had finally passed.  It is true that I still have hard days but now when a situation arises that gets me anxious or upset I have to analyze my feelings and condition myself to not to take the actions of others personally.  It is not easy and if I was still in a front line social work position I know it would all be too much for me emotionally.

I don't know about some of you but at times I think back to my life and wonder what it would have been like if I decided not to go into social work.  Would I be happier?  Would I be in less debt?  Would I be living closer to my family?  Would I have had to make so many sacrifices?  I cannot say for sure, but I am certain that I know myself better now because of the experiences I had as a social worker - which brings me to the title of this post.  I am very near to turning 30.  It feels less of a big deal to me as it does to others who want to remind me of the milestone.  But a new chapter in my life is dawning.  I am making choices in life for myself and not for others.  I have decided I am going to dedicate less of my time to helping others as I am to discovering interests of mine which I have had little chance to pursue.  I am going to focus on the small  positive acts I can  achieve through work as being enough.  I do not have to be a social worker in my personal life through volunteering or trying to solve the problems of friends, family members or boyfriends.  I intend to live a normal, regular life while also being true to myself.  I am tired of buying into the myth that we are superheros meant to save everyone but ourselves.  I have decided that for once I am going to put myself first in my life.

But I know that for others it is not so easy.  Some of you are trying to raise children or take care of elderly parents.  Or you may be trapped between student debt and a mortgage.  You feel forced to remain in your current situation and you know if you think about how you are really feeling deep down you will begin to cry.  This reminds me of a comment I recently read on this blog.  All I can tell you is that if you are feeling trapped then you MUST start to take small steps to get yourself out of the bad situation.  Others may judge, criticise or laugh at your choices but you have to life your life.  This may mean keeping your intentions private from friends, co-workers or family members until after you have made your move but once you have made one positive decision for yourself it will get easier.

As Always,

Patti

Finances and the Social Worker

Most social workers will tell you that they aren't very good at math.  That's why they didn't become engineers, accountants and so on.

As social workers, we can be involved with finances through processing benefits for our clients, determining client's eligibility for financial programs, and making sure we are regularly getting paid!

Beyond that I would say most of us social workers are clueless when it comes to finances.  And we often spend so much time and energy helping our clients that we have little time at the end of the day to take a serious look at our own financial situation.  As long as the bills are getting paid we tend not to worry.

However, there are some financial traps that social workers experience which I would like to discuss.  The first is neglecting our own financial health.  Many of us are saddled with student loans, mortgages and car loans which eat up a big chunk of our salary.  And depending on the type of agency you work for such as non-profit or government run, it can have a big impact on our salary.  When taking our first jobs out of school, many of us have taken whatever social work jobs we could get.  If you are finding yourself in that situation - having an entry social work job then make sure you are paying off your debt even if it is just the minimum.  You want to develop good financial habits before you start making more money and have the potential for making more money mistakes.

Looking back when I first began as a social worker all I had was a student loan.  I was also renting a room that was quite cheap.  Finances were not a problem for me then, however once I got a vehicle (as it was required for my job) my payments every month started to increase.

I then moved around a bit, doing different social work jobs.  This meant I had to buy furniture and eventually sell some of it.  I moved from a two bedroom apartment to renting a two bedroom house to buying my own small home.  I enjoy the independence and the quiet of where I live, however there is a cost to every decision we make.  My salary has not increased very much from when I started as a social worker but my debts have, even though I got a smaller and more fuel efficient car in the last year.  Sometimes I long for the simpler days of when I was first living in that basement apartment, but I do not miss having roommates.

Another trap social workers can fall into is eating out all the time and buying yourself nice gifts as a "reward" for all your hard work.  I admit there has been several times I have done this - go out for dinner because I am just too tired to cook, and buying a new outfit or new pair of shoes almost every week as a form of "shopping therapy."  We do so much for others that it is nice to finally do something for ourselves.  However, if this is your way of life then you will find yourself constantly broke and wondering where all your money went.  I suggest creating a chart and keeping track of your expenses if you find yourself in this boat.  And remember, you can always treat yourself to a quiet evening with a good book - taken out from the library - as a reward for a hard day's work.

As social workers we are expected to have knowledge about a lot of different areas.  We learn about housing, the justice system, the school system and more.  We also need to make it a priority to learn about finances, not only so we can give good information to our clients, but also to ourselves to ensure we are keeping in good financial health.

As always,

Patti

Pets and the Social Worker

Animals have always been a part of my life.  Since I was a child we had a cat, dogs, hamsters, a guinea pig and a rabbit.  In my early 20's I got my own dog (who is still living with my parents) and then as I moved away to start my new career as a social worker I got my small dog Bella.

Eventually Tucker, a larger dog, got added to the family.  Things stayed fairly consistent with the two dogs and then about five months ago I rescued Hurley the cat from an animal shelter.

As I have mentioned in a previous post, I do not have children and I often wonder if I ever will.  My current social work job involves significant travel but overall it's a good fit for me and I cannot see myself giving up this job to start a family in the near future.  I am just not in a place in my life where I want the added responsibility and financial stress of having children.

Therefore, my animals are like my children.  They give me a lift at the end of the day when I return home from work tired.  I pet them and I can instantly feel my blood pressure lower and my breathing slow down.  Their presence helps to melt away my anxiety.

Recently though, I had to make a difficult decision when it came to my animals.  I had to give away Bella and Tucker.  Bella was constantly having accidents in my home, she consistently barked at any little noise and she and Tucker would often play fight rowdily.  There was little calm in my home, especially with Tucker being so destructive as I would often come home to a mess.

I thought about my options for a couple of months when it came to the dogs.  I loved them, and I always will, but I felt that they were exasperating my depression and I was becoming more and more agitated with their behaviour.  So, about three weeks ago I found new homes for Bella and Tucker.  It was incredibly painful and I could only tell my family about it after I did it.  In many was I felt like a failure, like I had let my dogs down.  However, I also knew that with my depression I had little motivation to walk them as much as I should and that emotionally there was little left I felt I could give them at the end of the day.  It was especially hard letting go of Bella, and I felt - and still do - a lot of guilt about giving her away.  When I was going through a lot of difficulties last year Bella was with me every step of the way and she helped me get through the tough times.  Yet, I was home with her more and able to curb her challenging behaviours by giving her increased supervision.  That was just not possible in my new social work job.

There were a lot of tears but I knew that Bella and Tucker would be in new homes where they would be the only dog and would get lots of much needed attention.  I decided to keep Hurley because as a cat he is more independent and does not require the same amount of exercise as dogs do.  One of my symptoms of depression is hibernating so if I spend the whole day inside, Hurley is alright with that.  He is also ok with short bouts of attention as after which he likes to settle down for long naps.

My boyfriend knows how much of an animal lover I am and realizes that caring for a dog is not the type of responsibility that fits with my life right now.  He is trying to talk me into getting another cat but I know how having two of the same type of animal can be three times the work.  I have visited the local animal shelter and looked at some very nice cats but I feel that Hurley is enjoying his freedom as being the only cat in my home.

Yet, for some reason yesterday when I was in a pet store, I felt drawn to the small animals.  When I was younger I had a guinea pig and a rabbit, however they require big cages and I just don't have that kind of space in my home.  I went to the hamster pen and saw several teddy bear hamsters and one smooth kind.  I picked up the smooth haired little guy and held him to me.  He seemed quite content to nibble on my jacket zipper and he did not try and leap from my arms.  He also had the most expressive eyes.  It was not my intention to get a pet when I went into the store but I considered it.  I had the space for a hamster cage and I knew that their food and bedding requirements are not very expensive.  I also knew that hamsters are social creatures but also independent.  I figured I would get much joy out of watching him in his cage and picking him up to pet him.  There was no walking required, and no vet checks.  Plus, Hurley would have a bit of company while I was at work.  So I took the leap and bought the hamster.  I quickly prepared his cage when I got home and put him inside.  He was content to sleep after his long journey and Hurley was very interested in him as he peered into Gizmo's cage.

I know that my house is complete with Hurley and Gizmo now.  There is no room for any more small animal cages and I cannot imagine where I would put another litter box if I got a second cat.  I have company and I feel that the attention that Hurley and Gizmo need from me is manageable.  I do not have anxiety if I work late, worrying that the animals desperately have to go to the washroom as they wait to be let outside.  And getting Gizmo is helping me with the pain of having to let go of Bella and Tucker.  I have wonderful memories of them but I also remember the overwhelmed feeling I had when they were here.  I believe I have found my manageable balance when it comes to my animals.  I look forward to coming home after work, knowing that there will be no destruction or messes waiting for me.  It is quieter now since Hurley only meows occasionally and I find the silence helps with my mood.

Animals can make great listeners, and the best thing is you do not have to worry about confidentiality when you debrief with them.  They do not judge, they provide unconditional love, and they can give us just the right amount of responsibility.  To be responsible for the care of little beings who are dependent on us for everything is humbling - especially considering what they offer us such as decreased risk of high blood pressure, lower chances of a heart attack and being a cure to loneliness.  It sounds like more than a fair deal to me.

As always,

Patti



 

Being Happy with What You Have

Lately, my professional and personal life have developed into a quiet routine.  I know what to expect at work, I am in a stable relationship, I regularly volunteer, and I am keeping up my connections with friends and family.  So finally, after so much searching and hoping, I have certainty in my life.

Then why is it during these moments of silent contentment do we get a nagging sense that we should be doing more?  Like at home at work we should be taking on more adventures to challenge us?

I wonder if after many years of dealing with crises as a social worker I have become addicted to the drama.  I am quite experienced at facing difficult situations, and having to deal with it head on rationally. The reason why I wanted to become a social worker is because I wanted to save people.  Not very realistic, I know but I was naive before I entered this field.  I am not so idealistic now, realizing that people have their own responsibility to address their issues and that we as social workers are more of a guide then a Mr. or Mrs. Fix-It to all their life's problems.

And honestly, being on a perpetual roller coaster is emotionally exhausting.  I have had social work jobs that were constantly stressful as there was no predictability.  I have also felt at times that personally I had no means of achieving my life's goals because I was so drained because of my job.

But now, almost a year into my new social work job, both sides of my life have reached a balance - for the first time in many years.  The crises I deal with at this new job are more moderate and fewer and fewer in between than the ones I have faced previously as a front line child welfare worker.  And personally, I have eradicated all that I have found to be stressful in my life.  I go home in the evenings after work and I have my own quiet routine.  I can get things done but I can also relax.  I am actually feeling productive and well rested. 

Work life balance.  I have finally found that elusive myth and discovered that it's real.  Sure, there are still things I could improve on like getting into better shape but overall I am healthy both physically and mentally and to me that is precious.  I am learning to love my life with the realization that I cannot have it all.

Yet, I do get those feelings that I should volunteer internationally on my vacation, take part time courses relating to my field and consider moving on to the supervisor track at work.  However, I have reached a balance where I am feeling efficient and competent in my life.  I have labelled what is most important to me in my life and made it a priority to only have people and things in my life which I value.  It means having to say "no" sometimes but it is worth it since I feel like I am living my life authentically and true to myself.  But one weakness I have is that like most people I can at times be materialistic.  I can't help but daydream about all the fantastic vacations I want to take, the additional professional degrees/certificates I can accumulate, the expensive furniture and clothing I could buy, and the amazing gifts I can get for my loved ones.  But I do not have the money for this, as I acquired debt while going to school for social work.  And really, should I be trying to buy others love or buying objects just for the sake of accumulating them?

The simple life.  Letting go and living it is not so simple.  But it is worth it to be happy with what you have, as you don't realize how complicated life can get when you are busy overreaching.

Take care,

Patti


Now and then it's good to pause in our pursuit of happiness and just be happy.
- Guillaume Apollinaire

Substance Use and the Social Worker

In celebration of meeting and then surpassing the 7,000 viewed mark on my blog, I thought I would tackle an edgier topic for this post.

I have been aware of social workers using substances to cope with their stressful jobs since university.  Then, when I entered the work force I heard rumours of past and current employees misusing substances.  However, as with suffering from mental health issues, substance use in the workplace of social work is still taboo.

I am by no means an expert in this field since I specialize in working with children.  I have limited experience in counselling and it did not include assisting helping professionals.  So all I can offer is my  personal view of why some social workers may find themselves in this precarious position.

Being a social worker comes with it's fair share of challenges.  We are given an incredible amount of power and responsibility, however we do not always have the decision making authority we would like.  In a sense, we are trapped between our clients and management and neither the one can we make happy.  We are exposed to very stressful and sometimes dangerous situations where our emotional, mental and/or physical health is put at risk.  The bleak and unimaginable becomes a part of our daily lives and it can be rare for us to have positive or encouraging interactions with our clients.

Some social workers burn out and instead of taking a leave of absence they resort to external coping mechanisms like alcohol or drugs.  Internally they are unable to cope with the stress and pressure and they need an escape.  Substance use becomes a necessary act for the person so they can continue to function.  The substance use may occur at home, or it could blur into working hours.  Using during lunch or breaks becomes the norm and additional secrecy is added when the person tries to conceal the substances in their office.

It becomes a game of cat and mouse with the addicted person.  They do not want to need substances to function, however the fear of stopping is too great.  They are afraid of getting caught, however their addiction overrules their rational thinking and they continue using no matter how risky it is.  But then someone finds out - a coworker or supervisor and the person must face their demon.

At that point the social either walks away from their job, gets fired, or is supported by their employer into receiving some sort of addictions treatment.  Yet, if the social worker is also experiencing mental health or physical issues then all the reasons why they became addicted to a substance must be explored.

There are substance misuser's in every profession.  However, particularly in the helping professions like social work will you find those who become so overwhelmed with their work situation that they turn to drugs or alcohol to numb their pain.  I cannot condone their actions since in an altered state, these social workers could cause great harm to their clients through impaired decision making.  I do believe we should support our fellow social workers by approaching them in a respectful and caring way that we are concerned about them.  And if you do not feel comfortable speaking to a social work colleague about this issue, then find a compassionate higher up who can advise this social worker of the treatment services that are available through your employer.  Since in the end you may be saving not only their career, but also their life.

As always,

Patti

Sick Day and the Social Worker

We have all had those moments at work when we feel a bad cold or flu coming on.  Or perhaps we have been trying to valiantly fight off an illness and have realized that we need a good rest before we can finally beat it.

Normally in the past I would have balked at taking a sick day.  It was ingrained in me since I was a front line child welfare worker that you come in no matter what - since your clients and your supervisor's world would often fall apart if you were not there.

In my new position it is far more easy for me to take sick days when I am not feeling well.  I actually took a sick day recently.  I should have taken one earlier than I did because I just felt exhausted when I got up in the morning but I decided to go to work anyway.  Then by the afternoon I was getting a migraine and was still very tired.  I was able to finish up a couple small projects before I left and I gave my supervisor a heads up that I might not be in the next day.  My supervisor was understanding and I called her the next morning letting her know I would not be in.  And during my sick day I spent most of my time sleeping trying to get over this bad cold I had had for over a week.

I believe that there is a give and take with everything we do.  I was very busy at work a couple of weeks ago and I believe the following week I paid for it with my health.  I did not get enough rest before returning to work last week and my body finally reached the point and said enough.  Since I started this new position I have taken very few sick days so I do not feel guilty.  Especially when there are some people in my office who seem to take a sick day every week or two.  I do not abuse the system.  And I am starting to realize my previous mantra of never taking a sick day is just unrealistic.  We all have days when we feel bad either physically or mentally and just need some time off to to recoup.  It also ensures we are fresher when we return to work.

As social workers we have to monitor our sick days however.  If you begin to notice a trend that you are taking more and more sick days to have a "mental health break" or because you just do not have the energy or motivation to go into work this should be taken as a warning sign.  It is a clear indication that you are beginning to burn out and are losing your coping skills to deal with work.  If you find yourself in this situation you may need to take a serious look at the reasons why you are missing so much work and a break, job change, or a total career change might be in order.

Finally, I want to end this post by saying that if you do take a sick day, do not allow co-workers, or management make you feel guilty about missing meetings, paperwork etc.  You are a human being and you deserve a day off when you do not feel well.  Do not think that the only justifiable time for you to miss work due to illness is when you are in the hospital!  And when you are away from work, you might just find that management and clients are more appreciative of the hard work you do - since people often do not value what they have until it is gone.

As always,

Patti

Dating and the Social Worker

I know in early posts this year I mentioned the possibility that I would begin dating again.  The last serious boyfriend I had was before I entered social work school and I do not want to say how many years ago that  has been!

To be honest, it just wasn't a priority.  I had to move away for school and I did not know if I would be staying in that city after I graduated.  Then once I did move across the country and get a social work job, I was more focused on keeping my head above water rather then review my relationship prospects!  Sure, I did a little dating here and there but I just did not have the energy to commit myself to a relationship.  Emotionally I did not have anything left to give to a significant other at the end of the day.  And I wanted my peace and quiet after putting in a long and stressful work day which would often go past the traditional 8 hours!

However, when I got my new social work position last year it provided me with more stability in my life - regular working hours, predictable work environment, clear expectations, and a lack of emotional abuse from clients.  It was refreshing.  And it also gave me with the opportunity to consider other aspects of my life I had been neglecting.

After some cajoling from co-workers and family I decided to wade my baby toe into the tidal wave that is dating.  There were some blips along the way, I got hurt and disappointed but in true social worker fashion I refused to give up - I wanted to have a positive outcome!

So I put in the effort, had a list of qualities in mind which were essential in my future mate and crossed my fingers that I would meet someone special.

I am sure for many social workers, especially those who have been in the field for a long time, our faith in humanity can sometimes falter.  We see the worst of the worst as reflected in negative human behaviour and we often become jaded to the fact that there are any good people left in this world.  I know I had my moments where I wondered if I could find an honest, loyal, good natured guy who would respect me and not use my heart as a punching bag.

It took some effort, but I did find someone who met my above qualifications.  No, he is not perfect, but neither am I.  He does not work in the same field as me, however he understands people.  He is funny, down to earth and emotionally accessible.  Will he ever understand the true nature of the work that I have done as a social worker?  Probably not, no matter how much he tries to empathize.  I often think of our roles as similar to those of police officers, nurses and teachers.  We are part of a helping profession brotherhood and there are some things we have seen that we wish we could forget.  But we also have to be open to moving on.  We do not want to taint what is most precious to us.

Overall, in life we have major crossroads and smaller forks in the road.  After journeying down a new path I decided to take a fork in the road, a type of fork I had not been down in a long time. I needed career stability in my life before I was able to cautiously step forward on this new road and so far, it has been worth it.

As Always,

Patti

The Road Not Taken

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood,

And sorry I could not travel both

And be one traveler, long I stood

And looked down one as far as I could

To were it bent in the undergrowth;

Then took the other, as just as fair,

And having perhaps the better claim

Because it was grassy and wanted wear,

Though as for that the passing there

Had worn them really about the same.

And both that morning equally lay

In leaves no step had trodden black.

Oh, I marked the first for another day!

Yet knowing how way leads on to way

I doubted if I should ever come back.

I shall be telling this with a sigh

Somewhere ages and ages hence:

Two roads diverged in a wood, and I,

I took the one less traveled by,

And that has made all the difference.

-Robert Frost

Depression and the Social Worker

There are a lot of depressed social workers out there.  Some of your colleagues may have confided in you that they have depression or you may even have depression yourself.  And now I am about to let you in on a little secret...I suffer from depression.

I got diagnosed as having major depression, or what I like to think of as chronic depression after I became a social worker.  I am sure I had depression growing up as a child based on the symptoms I experienced which included: unable to feel happy, guilt, hopelessness, overeating, stomachaches and having low self-esteem.  Throughout my childhood I struggled with these negative feelings and they followed me into adulthood.

There is some debate on whether or not a person with a mental illness should lower their expectations when it comes to their personal and career goals.  Stress can often worsen the symptoms of depression and make the illness nearly unbearable.  However, there are those that say if you really want something you should go for it.  I do wonder if I would have gotten into the field of social work if I was given the diagnosis of depression at an earlier age.  At times the stress that comes with the job has been overwhelming and it has affected my personal relationships and how I view myself.  Due to the unpredictable nature of the job and the constant crises it is challenging to keep my emotions stable.

I just cannot handle high stress front line social work positions anymore.  And I seriously doubt if I ever had the mental reserve to do it in the first place.  Now, I still have contact with clients, however my work is less crisis driven and more collaborative.  The stories that people share with me are not worthy of causing me secondary trauma.  I still get to help people but in a more clearly defined way.  And 99 % of the time they don't try and make it personal.  They understand I am a professional doing my job within my scope of practice and no lives are on the line.  I can finally breathe.

However, depression is like a slippery snake, hiding in the underbrush and ready to strike - especially when you do not expect it.  It has found me in my new job as well.  It threatens to rob me of my successes as my mind focuses only on the mistakes I have made.  I take the actions and words of my co-workers far too personally and I become very emotionally vulnerable.  However, I hold all this in while I am at work and I collapse emotionally when I get home.  I don't want to be around people - I only want to be surrounded by silence.  And I want no additional expectations placed on me in my personal life because I feel like one more thing will make me explode.  I reach my threshold of emotional tolerance and then I need a break from the world.  I hibernate and usually it provides me with an opportunity to get over my negative feelings.  I just let those closest to me know how I am feeling, and  acknowledge that the unhappiness needs to run it's course before it frees me from it's grip.  I also ensure that I take the medication I am prescribed for my depression every day as I cannot afford physically, emotionally, socially or spiritually to stop functioning.  I always want to keep working.

I don't know what advice I can give to any social workers reading this post suffering from depression since it is such a personal biological and emotional mental illness.  Am I going to tell you that you are in the wrong field since you have depression?  No.  But I can tell you that having depression will make your job as a social worker even more challenging.  You will be exposed to poverty, loneliness, suicide, disease, disability, injustice, hopelessness, incarceration and more in your position as a social worker - things that many members of the general public without depression would not want to deal with.  All I can recommend is that you take care of yourself emotionally, physically and mentally as a social worker.  Do not make the mistake of putting everyone else's needs above your own.  Try not to take your work home with you at the end of the day, try not to obsess about what you could or shouldn't have done endlessly.  Remember that there was someone doing your job before you came along and there will be someone to replace you when you eventually leave.

So take care my dear readers and know that if you have depression there is nothing wrong with you - you are an amazing social worker despite having this mental illness.

Patti

Happy National Social Workers Month!

In Canada where I work, we celebrate National Social Workers Month in March.  The week it is celebrated can differ depending on the province you live in and this year we celebrated National Social Workers Month from March 3-9.

Don't worry when you are not recognized but strive to be worthy of recognition - Abraham Lincoln

At my particular agency we were provided with generous breakfasts and lunches, a thank you letter from management and a gift.  It was a week whereby fellow social co-workers and I were made to feel  special.  Non-social workers in the office told us how important our work is, how often what we do is challenging and that there is often little reward in it.  I can agree to that.

There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone's life. - Mary Rose McGeady.  

I know at this time various associations of social work put out press releases about the importance of social workers and the social work causes that they are finding of importance.  And then just as quickly as the week begins, it ends.  Our stomachs are fuller, as well as are self esteem and egos.   And then we move on to the next holiday or work celebration.

Dare to reach out your hand into the darkness. to pull another hand into the light. - Normal B. Rice

What lingers on my mind is the impact that social workers have had in the past, and what role we want to take on in the future.  Do we want to continue being invisible as we seem to be compared to other helping professionals?  But by our very nature, a large number of us are not instigators so how can great change happen then?

When I dare to be powerful, to use my strength in the service of my vision, then it becomes less and less important whether I am afraid. - Audre Lorde

And what positive changes are we implementing in our own workplace?  Are we encouraged to be social justice activists within our own agencies, and greater community as a whole?  Or will our intuitive be punished?

As long as I can conceive something better than myself I cannot be easy unless I am striving to bring it into existence or clearing the way for it. - George Bernard Shaw

I would say it depends on the agency you work for and how much the profession of social work is valued by management.  To some agencies having a social worker or social workers on staff is a necessary evil as it is part of a forced mandate.  Then there are other agencies where the role and duties of a social worker is valued.  For each of you social workers reading this post, the environment that you practice social work every day will be different.  Some of you may struggle against larger hurdles - and you may even live in fear because of your job.

Let no feeling of discouragement prey upon you, and in the end you are sure to succeed. - Abraham Lincoln

But please remember, you are a part of a larger community within your province/state/territory.  There is a world of us social workers joined with the common goals of fighting against poverty, injustice, inequality, violence and oppression - and all in the effort of making lives better for those in need.

The probability that we mail fail in the struggle ought not to deter us from the support of a cause we believe to be just. - Abraham Lincoln

Happy National Social Workers Month my friends and keep on fighting the good fight!

Patti

Nothing will divert me from my purpose. - Abraham Lincoln

Volunteering and the Social Worker

Hi Everyone,

I hate to keep apologising for not keeping my blog up to date but this time I have the perfect excuse and it`s not related to work!

I have raised my hand to the call of volunteering.  So now in the midst of taking an online course for work I am also volunteering every week with youths and trying to get another youth volunteering project off the ground.  But it dosen`t really feel like volunteering since I am having a lot of fun and I am passionate about helping children and youth.

Also, on another brighter note, I am now in the process of resurrecting my social and romantic life. It has been years since I have felt connected to my community, which includes making an effort to establish good friendships, or even have the energy to date - as these are just a few of the things that being employed in the wrong social work job can rob you of.  When all your physical and mental energy is taken up by your job and you have nothing left to give, it makes having a well rounded life nearly impossible.  And I can`t tell you enough of what a positive effect that having a good social work job is having on my life.  I actually WANT to help others on my free time!  But I also have clearly defined my boundaries when it comes to volunteering.  I volunteer with a positive organization and although I have responsibility regarding the youth, I am mostly just expected to be a listening ear for them and an activity companion.  I can easily do that!  And for the other volunteer project I am working on, it`s for at-risk youth but I am participating in a committee member capacity which allows me to utilize my previous front line child welfare experience.

A year ago I would never have imagined having the time or ability to be volunteering but when these opportunities came up, I chose them and I did not let them chose me!