Hello Dear Readers,
Well there almost goes another month! Things have been pretty steady for me since Christmas and I just finished up an intense week at work with more travel than usual.
To be honest, I am finding extensive travel as one of the most stressful things about my job. I dread the pile of work waiting for me when I return to my desk and cramming in so many client visits while I am on the road. I also think the break in routine is hard for me too. I like having a steady pace at work and when my schedule completely changes it's difficult for me to cope.
After many years in the field of social work I can definitely see how it is not a match for my introverted, conventional personality type and my anxiety and depression. I still dream about a life after social work in a more supportive role but I am a few years away from that and when I do consider changing the path of my career I get a little scared since all I know is social work. It's how others define me and it's the profession I sacrificed so much for. And I know when I leave this field I'll have to come to terms with the great price I have had to paid for it.
But alas, there is a topic which has become almost a daily part of my life lately. Counselling - and I am not talking about helping my clients. I have had several co-workers who have approached me for social workey advice for their personal issues. I am greatly honoured to be entrusted with their secrets (none life threatening you can be rest assured!) but still serious problems nonetheless. In a way I enjoy getting to use those skills which I don't get to use too often in my current job. In other ways I feel like I am giving biased help since I am friends with these people as well so I try to differentiate by saying 'as a social worker' or 'as a friend' before I give advice so they know where I am coming from. Overall I believe they ask for this help because they are aware of my social work experience and because of the personal challenges I have been able to overcome - with a majority of them occurring while I've been a social worker. The ironic thing is that a lot of these co-workers are older then me which shows me that experience is not dependent on age.
So I am wondering if any of you have had family, friends, co-workers or people in the community approach you for professional advice because you are a social worker.
As Always,
Patti
