Thinking about my career today
So the original reason I wanted to go into the field of psych was because I struggled with significant psych issues myself, and suffered so badly that I just never wanted anyone to suffer how I did, I wanted to be able to help guide those through tough mental health situations like I wish someone would have guided me.
When I actually started working in psych I realized these thoughts were naive. It is impossible to prevent suffering. And just because certain tactics worked for you doesn't mean it will work for everyone. Everyone is fighting their own battles, we can yell support or advice or whatever from the sidelines but ultimately we cannot fight the battle for that person. And realizing this I became depressed. I thought to myself, how am I helping anyone? Just watching people day in day out go through the exact same cycles of suffering, feeling helpless to stop it, and at the same time being reminded of what I went through and how I had been helpless to stop it.
Then I got back into therapy for the first time in a while. And my therapist taught me something that entirely changed my perspective. He told me "You are giving kindness to people who need it the most." And that really stuck with me. I am surrounded day to day by people at the darkest, worst points in their lives. People who often have no love, who have been treated like crap by other people and life in general. And I have the opportunity to shower them in kindness. In love. In compassion.
It could be something as simple as helping a dementia patient get cleaned up after a meal when I notice the techs left him all dirty. It could be working with a patient to make sure her cat is safe when she's been too psychotic to remember she was in the apartment alone for 7 days. It could be taking the time to sit and talk with a terrified paranoid patient and soothe them. It could be just listening to a patient who had undergone terrible trauma and letting them cry in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Praising a patient for practicing positive coping skills and cheering them on when they are doing well.
When I started thinking of it like that I no longer felt depressed from my job. I saw it as a powerful opportunity to do good. Kindness is as craved by living beings as food, water and air. And I have an unlimited supply I can give of freely. That is so amazing to me.
Lately I have been thinking of maybe branching out into other fields. Particularly hospice. I think I could be of great help there as well. I think it is also an area where a lot of kindness and love is needed. I am not sure yet though. The great thing is I'm young and have plenty of time to test waters.
Anyways. I'm just rambling really. Spread kindness folks.
When I actually started working in psych I realized these thoughts were naive. It is impossible to prevent suffering. And just because certain tactics worked for you doesn't mean it will work for everyone. Everyone is fighting their own battles, we can yell support or advice or whatever from the sidelines but ultimately we cannot fight the battle for that person. And realizing this I became depressed. I thought to myself, how am I helping anyone? Just watching people day in day out go through the exact same cycles of suffering, feeling helpless to stop it, and at the same time being reminded of what I went through and how I had been helpless to stop it.
Then I got back into therapy for the first time in a while. And my therapist taught me something that entirely changed my perspective. He told me "You are giving kindness to people who need it the most." And that really stuck with me. I am surrounded day to day by people at the darkest, worst points in their lives. People who often have no love, who have been treated like crap by other people and life in general. And I have the opportunity to shower them in kindness. In love. In compassion.
It could be something as simple as helping a dementia patient get cleaned up after a meal when I notice the techs left him all dirty. It could be working with a patient to make sure her cat is safe when she's been too psychotic to remember she was in the apartment alone for 7 days. It could be taking the time to sit and talk with a terrified paranoid patient and soothe them. It could be just listening to a patient who had undergone terrible trauma and letting them cry in a safe and non-judgmental environment. Praising a patient for practicing positive coping skills and cheering them on when they are doing well.
When I started thinking of it like that I no longer felt depressed from my job. I saw it as a powerful opportunity to do good. Kindness is as craved by living beings as food, water and air. And I have an unlimited supply I can give of freely. That is so amazing to me.
Lately I have been thinking of maybe branching out into other fields. Particularly hospice. I think I could be of great help there as well. I think it is also an area where a lot of kindness and love is needed. I am not sure yet though. The great thing is I'm young and have plenty of time to test waters.
Anyways. I'm just rambling really. Spread kindness folks.
