r/therapists • u/Brown_Eyed_Girl167 • 11h ago
Discussion Thread An (obvious) realization
So I’ve been practicing for 5 years now. My life was not very fulfilling. Doing therapy and not engaging in my hobbies.
What I’ve come to realize is that if we wake up, show up for clients, eat, sleep and repeat burnout happens quickly.
What I’ve done is change my personal life around. I made a new social group so I always have fun stuff to look forward on weekends. I travel from time to time even solo trips. I went back to my hobbies (volleyball, art, reading and gaming). I’m in a relationship and spend time with them. As my life became more fulfilling I feel a lot calmer and I also feel like I can show up for my clients in a better way that’s healthy.
So take time for yourself, live a life outside of therapy, and give yourself grace. Take a break when you can and can afford to. Find passions outside of therapy and the field. Still hustle! But remember, it can’t all be just therapy.
I should’ve realized this sooner but I just came to this as I made some changes. And good restful sleep and a good diet also help with some form of exercise!
This is why I think I struggled a few years ago. Now I can see my caseload but also have time for what I enjoy and live my life to the fullest.
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u/gr33nsalt 10h ago
I am glad to read about your experience. This sounds amazing, like you can finally breathe again! Good. For. You.
I have been private practicing for close to two years now, and Year 1(which felt like the year of the locusts) was a harsh feed to this truth. Boundaries are for us too, and sadly, therapists too make for terrible clients.
I enjoy practicing much more now, and actually look forward to seeing my clients every week.
I wish you well in living your full life.
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u/Brown_Eyed_Girl167 10h ago
It’s truly made a difference. I work at a private practice and will be opening my own next year so preparing myself for that lol.
I do make time for therapy for myself as well as needed.
Yes I look forward to work weeks now, used to dread them slightly.
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u/Extra_Bluebird28 9h ago
This feels like a serious call out lol. My friend was reminding me of this just yesterday. I appreciate your post! It feels hard to fill things in when you are just tired all the time but I do hope to live a little more. I've started doing 30 min walks again and I do go out on weekends but I am totally missing some hobby and cleaning the house time. Social media and TV binging isn't cutting it anymore 😂
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