Photo credit: BigStockPhoto Maridav
by Erlene Grise-Owens, EdD, LCSW, MSW, MRE, lead co-editor of The A-to-Z Self-Care Handbook for Social Workers and Other Helping Professionals
As we begin this new year, I want to share some field-tested, tried-and-true strategies that help with solidifying a self-care commitment. And, have some fun!
Resolutions, Not Regrets
A few years ago, I offered 5 Steps for Successful Resolutions, Not Regrets. Oftentimes, resolutions devolve quickly into regrets—not a good self-care dynamic! To counter that propensity, I identified five strategies: value reflection, keep it real, start SMARTer and small, use resources, and be resolute. Let’s review and recommit.
Too often, we jump into resolutions, without discerning through reflection. Part of this reflection needs to be staying honest with ourselves about the reality of what we want and will actually do…i.e., keeping it real. The SMART (Specific, Manageable, Attainable, Realistic, Time-Parameters) approach is a helpful way to keep it real and start small, rather than setting ourselves up for “failure” and regrets. Use of resources is an often-neglected aspect of self-care. Actively assess what you have and what you need; then, use them and/or seek out those resources. Finally, through being resolute, we persevere in purposeful ways, rather than falling into the trap of unrealistic perfection or completion.
Word!
Another approach that I—and many others—find helpful in retaining my self-care commitment throughout the year is to select a Word of the Year. (This process can also be shared with a group, such as family or team.) I began this strategy in 2018, and find it meaningful and effective. My words have included joy, vision, and contentment. The simplicity of a single word promotes focus and clarity of purpose.
This year, through a discerning process, I considered several words. They included contribution (an important part of balanced self-care), creativity (a priority for me), and curiosity (a specific challenge for my aging self). However, as I reflected on these components, the word Fun surfaced as a synthesis of those components and others. I anticipate this next year will, in many ways, be the opposite of fun—for various reasons, including as I continue my commitment to standing up to a fascist agenda and countering the erosion of so much I value. I decided an important self-care counterpoint to the temptation of despair is to commit to intentionally integrating more FUN into my life. Notably, I have an expansive definition of FUN. For example, I have FUN protesting. 😊 Stay tuned. It will be Fun!
Questions?
Along with our resolutions, not regrets and a word of the year, I avidly encourage that we incorporate more questions into our self-care. In my previous post, Mind Your Q’s—Better Questions Are Keys to Better Self-Care, I expound on the importance of asking better questions, rather than rushing to quick answers. This assertion applies to all areas of life, and in particular ways pertains to self-care. The questions we ask determine the answers we find, frame our focus, and significantly shape our decisions and actions. Please, review the previous post for more guidance and examples. My key question related to my word this year is: How can I integrate more FUN into my daily life?
Also, in a recent social media post, my social work colleague Dr. Lakeya Cherry posed three particularly useful questions for us as we begin a new year. Dr. Cherry is an inspirational and successful consultant in leadership. She shared how 2025 had been challenging for her and many others. She emphasized the importance of reflection for clarity and focus. Then, she offered these guiding questions: What do I want more of in 2026? What do I need to release from 2025? Who do I want to reconnect or follow up with?* Excellent questions. I’m grateful to Dr. Cherry for the contribution.
As I close this blog, I remind readers that this space is a shared forum for ongoing dialogue as we build a community dedicated to fostering self-care and well-being. What would you like to add to our conversation? Contact me if you want to contribute. Meanwhile, have a Resolute New Year, keep your Word, pursue more Questions…and Have Fun!
Peace, Love, & Self-Care,
Erlene
Erlene Grise-Owens, EdD, 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!
*Used with Permission