Hi,
Do other people find it easy to switch off from work and think right that's for tomorrow not home time, or is it always there in the back of your mind thinking about the days events and things that have gone on?
Maybe I need to look at reflection again!
Any advice welcome
I think its imporssible to completely switch off as we (sw'ers, students, care workers etc) are only human, and dealing with some often quite traumatic situations.
I acknowledge I should practice what I preach, but I think its about having a hobby, spending time with friends, doing things we enjoy outside of work related stuff etc. Thats the only way I think to semi-switch off.
Plus reflection does help... but also having a buddy you can reflect with (or good supervision) can help reduce the burden of work related stuff impacting on private life.
But in all honesty, and again easier said than done, you cant help people whilst at home so there isnt an option but to wait until the next working day... so why stress ourselves out about stuff? But again... back to te being human bit...
Sorry no advice
A_P
I would recommend reading 'The Art of Time'.
JoSoPhine: I would recommend reading 'The Art of Time'.
Next time you use the word 'time' in any sentence like:I wish I had the time to.... I wish I had more time...change the word Time to Life, as in:
I wish I had the time life to spend with my loved one's/family/friends...
I think that with any stressful job whether in social work or the private sector it is difficult to "switch off" at 5 o clock. For me when I was an IT manager I felt very stressed at home and would worry about things all the time. On holiday I would always be ill and the thought of going back to work was awful at times.
I think that it must also depend on where you work in social work - I work in adult services and from what I have observed it must be more stressful and more difficult to "switch off" in children's services or mental health.
I am not convinced that it is possible just to leave the job behind at the end of the working day (whenever that is) and I certainly don't resent thinking about service users in the evening or at weekends.
A lot of the stress comes from whether you have fulfilled all the processes and documented everything properly and filled in all the appropriate forms and notes on the computer. I am not saying that these things are not important but when you know that a service user is safe but you are wondering whether you have followed all the procedures correctly and know that you may be disciplined if you haven't this adds another level of stress to the situation. A supportive culture, manageable workload and good supervision are key to maintaining a good balance outside work and also experience is important. More experienced social workers seems to have better strategies than newly qualified (not surprisingly) and so maybe you have to accept that it will be difficult at first and then you will develop your own strategies.
Enjoy the fact that you have a worthwhile and complex job and are learning something new every day - although that does sound a bit trite !
I was one of those newly qualifieds that was full of angst and I have had to learn to look after myself or I wouldn't have lasted more than a couple of years in s.w.
I agree with the point about balance-for me it's running- clears the head, gives perspective and a positive frame of mind. Also, listening to music, reading books and vegging out in front of the TV. All keep me sane.
Also, the point about good supervision is that it also gives perspective and can lessen anxiety- but workers that do not have this are powerless to change it, so they need to find other strategies that work for them. Peer support is extremely important as well and if the team is dysfunctional then work is just not worth it.
For clearing the mind about what is not done- there is nothing like writing it down and then forgetting it. Then if you are thinking of cases, which you inevitably will, it is less stressful.
It is also harder to switch off at some times according to what is happening with cases-no way round that.
I remember whilst training I thought I was doing OK until a supervision session revealed all I was doing was reporting.
That highlighted to me that the most important part of the post was to actually try and improve situations either for society or for individuals.
What I became then was a fighter which evolved into fighting the system rather than focus on specific circumstances.
Thus you have to decide whether to be a macro or micro SW.
SUs gave me the lead on what to target. So my career was spent not only doing my bit for SUs but trying to ensure that the next SW with the same scenario would have an easier ride.
Hey,
Thanks for all the replies and advice, will be reading them again. I think maybe over the weekend i've realised you can only do your best at the time and obviously seek out advice and support in difficult decisions.
I noticed another thread on this about switiching off if anyone else is interested on the same forum.