You're working with vulnerable populations in social impact. How do you maintain emotional balance?

For me it is impossible to separate your personal life and values from your work. In fact, for you to be a good social impact professional, you have to feel it. It's work that requires empathy. But you really need to have emotional intelligence to not affect yourself to the point of not being able to carry out your work or compromising your mental health. Therapy support, meditation, emotional intelligence strategies can help.

Self-care isn't a luxury—it's a necessity when you're deeply involved in social impact work. From my experience with The Cookie Project, where I worked closely with individuals with disabilities, I learned that establishing a consistent self-care routine is crucial. Incorporating activities that rejuvenate you, whether it's a morning workout, evening meditation, or engaging in a hobby, helps manage the emotional toll of working with vulnerable populations. These routines create a buffer, allowing you to remain resilient and effective in your mission.

In social impact work, it's easy to overextend yourself, especially when you’re passionate about making a difference. I found that setting clear boundaries was key to maintaining my emotional balance. Define what you can realistically commit to, and communicate these limits clearly to your team and beneficiaries. For instance, at The Cookie Project, I made it a point to establish clear working hours and limits on the number of initiatives we could take on simultaneously. This approach helped prevent burnout and allowed me to sustain my energy for the long haul.

Support systems are vital when working with vulnerable groups. I leaned heavily on my team, mentors, and mental health professionals for guidance and emotional support during challenging times at The Cookie Project. Building a network of people who understand the unique challenges of your work can provide much-needed encouragement and practical advice. Whether it's regular check-ins with a trusted colleague or seeking external counselling, don’t hesitate to ask for support when needed.

Reflection was a powerful tool for me in maintaining emotional equilibrium. Regularly setting aside time to reflect on your experiences and feelings allows you to process the challenges and successes of your work. Journaling or simply taking a few minutes each day for introspection can help you stay connected to your emotional state and make adjustments when necessary. At The Cookie Project, I used this practice to identify moments of stress and take proactive steps to address them before they escalated.

Working with vulnerable populations often involves navigating tough situations, but it's crucial to celebrate the wins, no matter how small. During my journey with The Cookie Project, acknowledging each milestone—whether it was a successful product launch or a positive change in an employee’s life—helped keep the team motivated and emotionally balanced. Celebrating success is a powerful reminder of the impact you’re making, which can reinvigorate your commitment and prevent emotional exhaustion.

Continuous learning is essential for developing emotional resilience. In the course of running The Cookie Project, I made it a priority to stay informed about best practices in working with vulnerable populations and self-care. Attending workshops, reading, and engaging in discussions with peers helped me build a toolkit for maintaining emotional balance. By constantly expanding your knowledge, you equip yourself with new strategies to manage the emotional challenges of your work.

Working with vulnerable populations often brings unexpected challenges. Flexibility and adaptability are key. For instance, I found that being open to adjusting our processes and strategies based on the needs of our employees at The Cookie Project was crucial. Whether it's being ready to shift focus when circumstances change or finding new ways to support your team, staying adaptable helps you navigate the emotional complexities of social impact work with greater ease.