In the traditional workplace, self-worth comes into play every single day. From taking orders from some teeny-bopper, to taking on additional responsibilities due to “downsizing”, we’re in an employment climate where self-worth is often downplayed and can be damaging.
It used to be that when you went to work, it was a source of your self-worth – it was part of what made you, you. With today’s trend towards downsizing and job-sharing, our workplace identity is often changing, and that can feel unstable to us.
Increased demands on employees, and a faster-paced workplace environment all equate to less acknowledgment of excellent work. We’re working longer hours, bringing work home, and losing touch with other important parts of our lives like time spent with friends, family, and being alone.
Maintaining a strong sense of self-worth while all of this is going on can be challenging.When you’re a full-time caregiver to a senior with dementia it can be especially challenging. Sometimes my mom says terrible things to me and it can certainly affect my feeling of self-worth. Yeah… yeah I know it’s the disease but I gotta tell you sometimes it gets to me. I don’t always have someone I can talk to in the heat of the moment so I had to come up with ways to keep myself in the right frame of mind.
Here are three specific strategies that I put into motion during my workday to help create balance and a strong inner peace to see me through the tough times… and there will be tough times!
- Banish negative thoughts from your life. Seems too overwhelming? Uh Duh! Then just do it for the next hour. Then the next. And so on, until it becomes a habit. This is one habit that will last a lifetime and will reward you constantly. It won’t be easy and negative thoughts will creep in so be conscious of it and get rid of it as quickly as possible.
- Do something just for you, every day, no days off. Even if it’s just five or ten minutes a day, believe that you deserve it, and take that much-needed time for yourself. I soak in the tub with hot water and bubbles for 10 minutes while mom is sleeping. So Soothing and relaxing. Calgone Take Me away!
- Keep track of your successes. Keep a small notebook and write down your successes during the day. I started with I changed mom very easily today WOW what a rush! This will help give you something “concrete” to look at during those times when you feel overwhelmed.