Self-Care A-Z: Notorious RBG (Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg) Builds a Case for Self-Care
by Erlene Grise-Owens, Ed.D., LCSW, MSW, MRE, lead co-editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals
(Editor's Note: The documentary RBG was released in theaters May 4, 2018. It has also been shown on CNN. It is available on DVD at Amazon.com.)
RBG, the recent documentary about cultural icon Ruth Bader Ginsberg, is inspiring and instructive. Amongst many lessons, RBG’s life presents a self-care case.
Self-Awareness and Support
Self-awareness is an important aspect of self-care. RBG sees herself clearly and embraces who she is. She seems to practice the heart of self-care, i.e., self-compassion, which contributes to a grounded self-assurance.
Self-awareness also helps us identify needed supports. RBG was drawn to a life-partner (now deceased) who was her equal and provided balance. He was an extrovert with a penchant for humor; she’s a “serious minded” introvert. RBG had outer accountability from her partner. For example, he’d often remind her to take breaks. Also, RBG has a fitness coach—another form of outside accountability. In a primarily sedentary job, attention to physical self-care can be particularly challenging. Outer accountability provides helpful support.
Passion and Principles
RBG said she recognized that, although she enjoyed opera, she was not gifted for that professional path. She focused on her passion, the law—which was congruent with her principles.
She lives her life—both personally and professionally—by a set of principles. She plays the long game and keeps her eyes on the prize. RBG describes how at the outset of her career, she established a long-term plan for women’s equality. Not gauging success by only immediate gains or popularity, but rather success defined as extended investment in core principles, is a sustainable self-care approach!
Priorities and Presence
Likewise, RBG seems to know how to prioritize and be present in the moment. She attributes her success in law school to being a parent. She describes total focus on her family when at home and absorption in her work when in that space.
She describes similar presence when attending opera and doing her workouts. She has meaningful absorption in her work and areas outside work in which she immerses herself. This prioritized balance promotes self-care.
Lifelong Learning and Levity
From meeting with high school students to conversing with colleagues, RBG shows interest in continual learning. She engages in diverse—and sometimes conflictual—connections. For instance, her friendship with (now deceased) Chief Justice Antonin Scalia, who was frequently her nemesis on SCOTUS rulings, is well-known.
Finally, although self-described as “serious,” RBG enjoys liberal doses of levity. The documentary shows a photo of her and Justice Scalia riding an elephant in tandem. Also, RBG lightens the SCOTUS attire’s seriousness with different collars and necklaces for her robes. RBG was asked about the well-publicized incident when cameras zoomed in on her dozing during a State of the Union address. With humor, RBG said she and colleagues frequently imbibe prior to these boring events, and she may not have been altogether sober.
RBG has experienced incredible professional challenges, devastating personal losses, and serious illnesses. She doesn’t practice self-care perfectly. Yet, she’s productive, content, and engaged. Compelling evidence of effective self-care.
Hear ye! Hear ye! RBG rests her self-care case! Surely, we can follow her precedent…although we may want to nap more privately. 😊
Peace, Love, & Self-Care,
Erlene
Dr. Erlene Grise-Owens, Ed.D., LCSW, MSW, MRE is a Partner in The Wellness Group, ETC. This LLC provides evaluation, training, and consultation for organizational wellness and practitioner well-being. Dr. Grise-Owens is lead editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals. As a former faculty member and graduate program director, she and a small (but mighty!) group of colleagues implemented an initiative to promote self-care as part of the social work education curriculum. Previously, she served in clinical and administrative roles. She has experience with navigating toxicity and dysfunction, up-close and personal! Likewise, as an educator, she saw students enter the field and quickly burn out. As a dedicated social worker, she believes the well-being of practitioners is a matter of social justice and human rights. Thus, she is on a mission to promote self-care and wellness!