The most profound information that I came across was that it is vital to routinely evaluate your mental health. Rhonda Williams (2011) powerfully states that “self-care is not a luxury but an ethical mandate.” Without a consistent self-check, our professionalism can become a liability to those we are working so hard to help. This information stuck out because it’s ironic that while we are attempting to facilitate a healthy mental state for others it can harm our own.

Williams, R. (2011, January 11). The Importance of Self-Care - American School Counselor Association (ASCA). Www.schoolcounselor.org. https://www.schoolcounselor.org/Magazines/January-February-2011/The-Importance-of-Self-Care

In my experience, the term “self-care” has often had a negative stigma attached to it. Almost perceived as a selfish act and I think because of that perception people don’t take the time to explore different self-care methods. I know this because I was one of those people, however after almost ten years of teaching and almost becoming burnout myself I realized that not participating in self-care was doing more harm than good to myself, my family, students, colleagues, and all those that interacted with me. Self-care is the foundation on which your happiness rests.