One thing I took away was seeing how compassion fatigue and burnout can build up silently in even the most dedicated counselors, especially when we prioritize others’ needs over our own without boundaries. Understanding that self-care is not a luxury, but a professional necessity was eye-opening for me. We spend a lot of time immersed in other's problems we often forget about our own self. We have to fill our cup to be able to fill up others.

Self-care is so important and often taken for granted in the helping profession because it helps to maintain our emotional availability, effectiveness professionally, and personal well-being. Without taking time out for self-care, we risk becoming the very opposite of what we aim to be which is present, empathetic, and resourceful.

One of my strategies is just music, any kind really. Letting myself have some time to listen to music and decompress always helps calm me down and helps me refocus. Sometimes it's the lyrics and other times it's the music, rhythm and beat that I hear. I enjoy sitting on the couch, outside or sometimes just in my car before I go in the house to mom and wife.

Another thing I love doing is surrounding myself with my people. Whether it is friends, my husband and son, my mom or all the family, being with my people really helps to keep me grounded, focused and resets my thought process. Going outdoors, playing games, fishing or just cooking out gives me a sense of peace and refuels my heart and mind so I can breath again.