When Terry Connolly participates on Nov. 3 as a panelist at the ROI-NJ event, “The Capacity to Care: Putting Yourself First,” she will address the importance of self-care for all—especially women. This is because, in reality, women often take on the role of caregivers at home, in the community and on the job.
“Over the decades, as women joined the workforce in great numbers, they often did so with the expectation that they could have it all,” Terry noted. “Unfortunately, we realize now that this is an unrealistic assumption! However, I look at this same situation from an alternative perspective. Instead of seeking a one-off solution for those days when we feel anxious or overwhelmed, I believe we should focus our efforts on consistently integrating small but meaningful practices of self-care into our daily routine.”
It has been Terry’s experience as a licensed clinical social worker that women who embrace a consistent regimen of self-care and reflection are much better prepared to meet the constant demands made on them. Recognizing that the challenges are not likely to change (or disappear), Terry suggests that to avoid burnout, we must change the way we respond. In short, we need to be kinder to ourselves.
We can start by making smart choices. In other words, establish healthy boundaries and set attainable goals to manage the stress of juggling many different responsibilities. When we make time for purposeful micro-pauses throughout the day, we grant ourselves a powerful reprieve from the task of trying to create work-life balance. This can be done—we just need to show up differently.
“When you are struggling with feeling guilty or isolated, it is essential to have tools that can help alleviate or diminish those negative emotions. Schedule time to protect yourself. Be good to yourself. Remember that even something as simple as taking a walk or having a cup of coffee with a friend can help recharge your battery,” Terry adds.
We invite you to join us on Nov. 3 as Terry and her fellow speakers share their insights and experiences at managing life’s demands and remaining in control.
