In the realm of healthcare, professionals often grapple with grief in the face of patient suffering. Palliative care workers, in particular, navigate this delicate balance of constantly confronting patient loss and contending with unprocessed grief. The toll of this on their personal well-being, which is marked by burnout, moral distress, and compassion fatigue, underscores the need for proactive strategies to mitigate these challenges. One pivotal approach is the promotion of self-care; which encompasses implementing a spectrum of activities that individuals undertake independently to foster and sustain personal well-being.
Self-care, as I’ve come to understand, involves a rich tapestry of knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Under its gamut lies self-reflection, self-awareness, prevention of burnout, maintaining professional boundaries, and navigating grief and bereavement. Adopting this holistic approach acknowledges the multifaceted nature of our lives, layered by one’s inner worlds, familial ties, professional spheres, community connections, and spiritualism.
Cultivating a robust sense of self-worth is central to a fulfilling and meaningful life. Unlike external opinions or societal standards, intrinsic self-worth arises from recognising one’s unique qualities, accomplishments, and one’s inherent values. I’ve discovered that the guiding principles of self-worth involve embracing one’s uniqueness, practising self-compassion, setting achievable goals, fostering positive self-talk, and establishing healthy boundaries.
While contemplating these principles, I draw inspiration from Larry’s narrative—a young man navigating life with a physical disability, yet steadfastly nurturing his internal self-worth independent of external validation. My sister Suzanne, the proprietor of a florist business, shares the chronicle of Larry’s weekly tradition: he invests $500 in flowers for his personal delight, and intriguingly addresses them to his workplace, signing with a different girl’s name each time.
Observing Larry’s genuine joy, my father has become personally involved in delivering these flowers, injecting humour by proclaiming, “Once again, someone sent you flowers, Larry!”. The radiant glow on Larry’s face as he moves through his workplace corridors, with co-workers buzzing about the mysterious sender, paints the portrait of a man actively engaged in cultivating self-esteem, self-regard, and self-love—which perhaps hindered him in finding a girlfriend due to his physical disability.
Larry’s narrative reinforces the fundamental idea that self-respect is the cornerstone to develop self-acceptance and self-love. It serves each of us with a poignant reminder that one’s journey towards recognition and appreciation from others begins with our own self-love and respect. Larry’s odyssey embodies the essence of #selfcareisnotselfish#, spotlighting the transformative influence of prioritising intrinsic worth on the quest for a gratifying and meaningful life.
About the Author:
Ms Sheena Jacob is a Nurse Practitioner specializing in palliative care with Home and Community Care Support Services- Southwest, Ontario, Canada.
She is also a menopause specialist in Women’s Health with Science & Humans, and holds the position of Adjunct Clinical Professor at Western University.
Note: This article is a republication from the February edition of the Indian Association of Palliative Care‘s free monthly e-newsletter.
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