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I’ve experienced an unprecedented amount of guilt & helplessness as a helping professional this year. It’s really hard to set boundaries & put myself first during a time when there is such a public outcry for mental health services for people. 1/
We are being reminded to take care of ourselves while simultaneously aware of the dire need for support for others. We are shamed for not managing our burnout better or taking breaks, but still being informed of the urgency for our services. 2/
Intellectually we know we need to take time off/set boundaries but emotionally it may feel like we are abandoning our post. It feels like it goes against the very core of our identities: helpers. 3/
But feelings are not facts. Feeling guilty doesn't mean we’ve actually done anything wrong. We are not martyrs. We alone cannot try to make up for the faults & gaps in the system or our communities. Our dedication, passion, & compassion are not measured by our exhaustion. 4/
We are allowed a pause or different pace. We are allowed to help ourselves. We are the people too. Our mental health matters. Prevention of mental health concerns matters. Not just to make us the best providers/helpers we can be, but because it matters for us. 5/
I'm still finding my way with this; it's still a battle between my head & my heart. But I'm slowly working on changing the story I'm telling myself about what it means to step back a bit. And from this, I've *gradually* been actually practicing what I tweet. 6/6
