When the going gets tough...
... The tough hide under a blanket.
Ordinarily I can deal with the fact that my job means that I have to deal with a lot of young people and families in crisis or difficulties. I attend a lot of child protection meetings and early help meetings. Kids tell me things that have to be referred to social services. It's the worst but it happens.
Normally I deal by talking with my manager and sort of mentally letting go. I write the reports and case notes etc. Sometimes things stick under your skin and that's one of those things.
Obviously I can't give details but I had a devastatingly sad meeting with a 12 year old today. They're so depressed and trapped by their caring role. They're painfully aware that they're missing their childhood and made a really sad disclosure. Because of the nature of the disclosure, I had to phone the parents and alert them and make a report. It's amongst the worst phone calls I've ever had to make and it's really stuck in my head.
Maybe I should have gone out tonight or done yoga or something, but frankly Im completely worn out. So I'm hiding under a blanket watching shit documentaries and snuggling the rats. Tonight I choose wuss mode.
Since doing therapy Im getting a bit better at giving myself permission to have non functioning days, as long as I dont get stuck there.