Self-Care is not selfish. It is the practice of taking action to protect or improve your own health, wellness, and happiness.
When flight attendants go through safety procedures, they always remind us that if a disaster strikes and the oxygen masks descend, first secure your own, then help someone near you. During this time in our lives, we are the most qualified to help others with distance learning, virtual learning, and digital tools. We have the answer for curating digital resources and troubleshooting technology. But if we don’t take care of ourselves, we cannot continue to take care of all of our learners.
It is reasonable to set boundaries, set schedules for times http://www.olymptrade.com.pk/ when you are available, and to set personal goals for our own learning and our own professional tasks. Friends and colleagues constantly tell me that I should practice saying, “no.” One even created a necklace of no’s for me that had phrases to use while practicing such as:
- That’s an excellent project that someone else could devote more time to than me.
- I’m taking care of my family right now, but I will follow up with you as soon as I’m able.
- Go back and read the 17 emails I sent earlier (just joking) and then email me a question if you need more clarification. (I’m sure you understand what I mean.)
- Not now doesn’t mean never. I will help you tomorrow.
How are you taking care of yourself without any self-guilt? Self-guilt is a liar and it will convince you that you are failing. If you do not stop people and set boundaries, you will be useless to everyone else. So after reading the rest of this article, I want you to think guilt-free, with a hint of hope and excitement at seeing yourself refreshed – what will I do to begin taking care of myself today?
Look at some of these articles available on the ALA website from your colleagues emphasizing self-care.
After reading this article, I paused to think how often we take care of others in our schools and should attempt to use some of the same caring for ourselves. Care model for school librarians to support new teachers explored in School Library Research http://www.ala.org/news/member-news/2020/04/care-model-school-librarians-support-new-teachers-explored-school-library
In “School Librarian Interventions for New-Teacher Resilience: A CLASS II Field Study,” Soulen shares the results of her study where new teachers received interventions under a care model she developed. Following treatment, a comparison group and the group receiving the interventions were surveyed for level of resilience, burnout, and retention. Through interviews, Soulen found that school librarians occupy a unique position to offer supports for first-year teachers to build teachers’ resilience, reduce their burnout, and ensure retention.
Minding Mental Health during COVID-19 BY BRANDI HARTSELL on 03/31/2020 https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/minding-mental-health-during-covid-19/
School Library Month 2020 Celebrates School Librarian Resilience BY SHANNON DESANTIS GILE, SLM COMMITTEE CHAIR on 04/01/2020 https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/school-library-month-2020-celebrates-school-librarian-resilience/
Avoiding Information Overload During COVID-19 Shelter-in-Place Orders BY HANNAH BYRD LITTLE on 04/01/2020 https://knowledgequest.aasl.org/avoiding-information-overload-during-covid-19-shelter-in-place-orders/
“The Privilege in Self-Care”, American Library Association, April 18, 2019. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/odlos-blog/privilege-self-care (Accessed April 1, 2020)
“Self-Care for Librarians: Journaling”, American Library Association, December 17, 2018. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/odlos-blog/self-care-journaling (Accessed April 1, 2020)
The Spectrum Scholarship program supported Spectrum scholars with a Virtual Hangout for Self care on April 1st http://www.ala.org/advocacy/spectrum/2020-04-self-care
“Practicing Self-Care”, American Library Association, March 7, 2019. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/odlos-blog/practicing-self-care (Accessed April 1, 2020)
“Self-Care: Because You Deserve It”, American Library Association, February 1, 2019. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/odlos-blog/Because-You-Deserve-It (Accessed April 1, 2020)
“Libraries Respond: 10 Things Your Library Can Do for 2017 and Beyond”, American Library Association, February 14, 2017. http://www.ala.org/advocacy/diversity/libraries-respond-10-things-your-library-can-do-2017-and-beyond (Accessed April 1, 2020)
“Self-care is a fundamentally important component of our work in libraries, as we must take care of ourselves before we can effectively help our communities. Take advantage of employee assistance programs and check out these resources:
- ColorLines – Four Self-Care Resources for Days When the World is Terrible: Highlights four articles on self-care, and its importance in social justice work. http://www.colorlines.com/articles/4-self-care-resources-days-when-world-terrible
- SUNY Buffalo School of Social Work: Self-Care Starter Kit: Includes an introduction to self-care, steps on starting a self-care plan, assessments and sample/model activities, and additional resources. https://socialwork.buffalo.edu/resources/self-care-starter-kit.html
- TedTalk Playlist: The Importance of Self-Care: Features 9 videos of TedTalks that explore the vital importance of self-care. https://www.ted.com/playlists/299/the_importance_of_self_care”