What do you do if your work-life balance is suffering due to the demands of an adaptable social work career?

1 Set realistic boundaries

One of the most important skills for social workers is to set and communicate clear boundaries with clients, colleagues, and managers. Boundaries help you protect your time, energy, and well-being, as well as respect the needs and rights of others. You can set boundaries by prioritizing your tasks, saying no to unreasonable requests, delegating or sharing responsibilities, and asking for support when you need it. You can also use tools such as calendars, reminders, and timers to manage your schedule and avoid overcommitting yourself.

2 Practice self-care

Self-care is not a luxury, but a necessity for social workers. Self-care means taking care of your physical, mental, and emotional health by engaging in activities that nourish and replenish you. Self-care can include eating well, sleeping enough, exercising regularly, meditating, relaxing, spending time with loved ones, pursuing hobbies, and seeking professional help if you experience signs of stress, anxiety, or depression. Self-care can also involve setting aside some time each day or week to reflect on your work, celebrate your achievements, and learn from your challenges.

3 Seek feedback and support

Social work can be isolating and overwhelming, especially if you work in remote or rural areas, or deal with sensitive or traumatic issues. That's why it's essential to seek feedback and support from your peers, supervisors, mentors, or other professionals who understand your work and can offer guidance, advice, or encouragement. You can also join or create a network of social workers who share similar interests, goals, or challenges, and exchange ideas, resources, or referrals. Feedback and support can help you improve your skills, boost your confidence, and cope with stress.

5 Balance work and life

Social work can be demanding and consuming, but it should not take over your life. You need to balance your work and personal life by creating and maintaining a clear separation between them. You can do this by having a dedicated workspace, setting regular working hours, turning off your phone or email notifications when you're off duty, and avoiding taking work home or working overtime. You can also balance your work and life by making time for your hobbies, interests, or passions outside of work, and pursuing goals or dreams that are not related to your work.

6 Be flexible and adaptable

Social work is a profession that requires flexibility and adaptability, as you may face unexpected changes, challenges, or crises in your work environment, caseload, or policies. You need to be able to adjust and adapt to these changes, without compromising your quality of service, ethics, or values. You can do this by being open-minded, curious, and willing to learn from others, as well as being proactive, creative, and resourceful in finding solutions. You can also be flexible and adaptable by embracing uncertainty, diversity, and complexity, and seeing them as opportunities for growth and innovation.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?