Surviving in an environment of negative thinking

I was having a long discussion this afternoon with one of my fairly new co-workers.

Both of us came to the conclusion that while yes, our jobs are very stressful and some days impossible, a bigger barrier to our being able to do our jobs to the best of our ability, is just everyday Negative Nellies we come face to face with. Primarily, within our own units.

I am sure MOST agencies probably have them.

And once one or two people fall into the constant thoughts of gloom and doom, this thinking becomes contagious, spreading like wildfire.

I see it in my own office and it's gotten to the point where there is at least someone either venting, cursing, raising their voice and/or crying on a daily basis.

And it becomes extremely difficult to NOT find yourself getting involved.

It's just not healthy.

The first thought is to blame the employer, but I am not 100% convinced all of the blame should lie with them.

I don't know what the solution is however.

For me personally, I will often take advantage of my company's leniency that allows me to work outside of the office if I so desire.

I'll blog, Tweet or interact with other social service professionals who I know are passionate about their work.

I still find myself coming back to this same issue though time and time again.

We recently got approved for a new program at our agency, which will allow new staff to be hired.

I am hoping by having some fresh, new blood come on board, this will help.

I still know that that negative thought pool is there though.

Just even remembering that begins to bring me down.

So thankful

that this week is finally almost over.

It started out pretty rough, with the loss of DH's grandfather a week ago.

I had to miss several days of work, and also dealt with a bunch of family drama. (Yes, even though I'm a social worker, I too have issues in my family!).

Was able to fortunately get a lot of stuff completed in a short two days at the office.

Got another client service plan approved so this makes his family and my bosses super happy.

I was able to make it to one night of yoga this week, which I am extremely grateful for.

The month of September has not been a good yoga-month for me. I have only made it to 7 classes. But as they say, some yoga is better than no yoga ;).

Dealing with a difficult phase with DS this week. He has had some increased episodes of agression (i.e. biting, hitting and just overall defiance). Everyone tells me this is just part of the "terrible twos" but this still does not help with my worry, or stop me from thinking that I may be doing something wrong as a parent. It also does not help when this creates problems with family members which is what occured earlier this week (noted drama mentioned above).

I also had family staying with us for a few days which is always challenging in a tiny home with only one bathroom.

So yeah, I am absolutely looking forward to the weekend!

Today is also pay day, and since there are 5 Fridays this month, I will have some more $$$$ in my check because I won't have to pay for health insurance due to the extra week. This is probably one of the best things about this week.

Oh, in closing I just wanted to add that we are probably going to be hiring again for a case management position in the Long Island area if you or someone you know is interested. Just let me know.

If you are a Jack/Jane of all trades and don't mind a little (okay, who am I kidding a lot!) of crazy, it can be a decent gig.

Have a great weekend everyone.

The time balance dance

It's going to be a rough week.

DH's grandfather died, so I will need to take part of tomorrow, and all of Tuesday off.

I have a couple of nursing home discharges planned the following week, and am no where close to prepared to getting what needs to be in order for them, in order.

I also haven't been to yoga in days because DH has been working a billion hours, and really feel that I am missing something because of it.

I really wish I could clone myself right about now.

I am hoping that October brings more time, as well as more balance overall into my life.

Being a Libra, I am definitely feeling off-kilter right now.

I am up

at the awful, awful hour of 4AM.

It's social work road trip day with my boss.

We are headed to points North to meet with a couple potential clients, originally from NYS, who were transferred to an out of state nursing home facility.

The state program I work for was originally founded on being able to bring people who are sent away for long periods of time, and thus costing NYS lots of money, home.

Often there are lack of nursing home settings here that deal with my population, which is why they tend to end up elsewhere.

So we shall see how it goes.

Wish me luck.

It is going to be a long day for us both.

I heard it may rain too so I am thinking happy thoughts that will not be during rush hour traffic.

Not being able to help every one

This is something we come across with many of our clients.

It's rough when you have someone crying their eyes out in front of you, begging you for help that is outside of the scope of services you can provide.

And you know that what they are looking for is limited or may not even be accessible.

It is what it is though in our line of work.

Often sad reality, but we only have the resources that we have at hand.

This is how I ended my day today.

I told this stressed out mother that I would try to help her at least find some idea(s) for her and her daughter.

I don't know if they will be what she is looking for however.

*Sigh*

Who are you?

Got this idea from this blog:

Please list your..............

Current location:
Day job:
Dream job:
How you'd describe your style:
Favorite clothing company:
Favorite TV show:
Favorite way to procrastinate:
Something you're looking forward to this week:
Something on your bucket list:

I will play too :)

Current location: Long Island, NY
Day job: Social worker aka Jane of all trades, mother, and wife
Dream job: Trust fund baby
How you'd describe your style: a little bit hippy-ish, loungey, casual, relaxed and non-trendy
Favorite clothing company: I don't really buy anything brand name ever so probably Old Navy or Target
Favorite TV show: Law & Order
Favorite way to procrastinate: Online reading blogs, tweeting, message boarding
Something you're looking forward to this week: THE WEEKEND!
Something on your bucket list: I'd love to get to the point where I am good enough to go to Bikram Teacher Training. (If only for the experience....not necessarily to teach).

Not much

to really report from Socialworkland this week.

I keep plugging along!

Mailed out a resume today for a nursing/rehab facility that I learned is unionized and offers fully covered family medical insurance.

Completed a couple more intakes which means more writing for me!

A couple of nursing home discharges are planned for next week and the following so I will be super busy with those in the days to come.

Only got in a couple of yoga classes so far this week, but a little bit of yoga is better than no yoga, right?

And related to that, the main reason I haven't gone is because DH has been working late which means he is bringing in money again!

Most of my bills for the month have been paid and I also have been able to begin to set aside money again each week in both personal and joint savings. Not a ton, but it is starting to slowly build up which is a GREAT feeling.

DS vocabulary continues to grow, along with his height. We've already started talking about pre-K and kindergarten and he's not yet 3 ;).

I am also considering doing a very brave thing, by possibly taking him to the movies this weekend for the first time. I heard Lion King is out in 3D. We shall see.

Otherwise, I am very much looking forward to a relaxing weekend with no plans!

What about you? How has your week been thus far?

Social networking sites and being entitled to our feelings

Yesterday was a rough day, as I am sure it was for many, whether or not they had personal ties or not to the tragedy of September 11th.

Anyways, I personally needed a break from being hit in every direction with media overload so posted what I thought was an innocent status on Facebook "I need to get away from all of this 9/11 coverage so I am going to yoga".

Well, I came out of that class (that in my mind I had dedicated to people directly affected by the attacks), to personal attacks from 2 family members on my Facebook page about their beliefs about how I was handling my feelings related to the day.

What they had said, to me, was inappropriate and rude.

I was embarassed and humiliated that this was all live for many of my friends, family and even work colleagues to see.

The attacking just went on and on from there, at that point in private messages, and today I still remain drained from the whole episode.

I don't really know where I am going with this........or what my point is.

I guess that many of us spend a great deal of time on social networking sites.

Anything we say or do on them can be interpreted and in turn, misinterpreted a certain way.

It doesn't make it any less hurtful or easy to get over.

We are still entitled to our feelings and to say what we want on our own personal page, as long as we are not purposely trying to be hurtful to someone.

It also in my opinion, doesn't give anyone the right to say or do what they want, and then use the excuse that we just "misread their words" so "we" need to "get over it".

Yeah, I know there is freedom of speech and all that, but sometimes, people are just a little TOO FREE with their opinions.

In this day and age, social networking sites ARE a major form of communication so that needs to be taken into account and we need to present ourselves accordingly on them.

In any event, I am probably rambling now, but I have decided that the best thing for me is to take a break from Facebook (at least for the moment).

I don't want to delete my page because there is lots of good that comes from it, however, at this point I will absolutely be limiting the amount that I post on there, as well as limit who I am willing to interact with.

LOVE this song!

Today I am smiling

despite the rain.

A solution was able to be worked out.


And all is well in my world again.


That is all.


Have a great day everyone.


Before you know it, the weekend will be upon us.


Namaste.

Social work job deal-breakers

As I begin my "search" again into the world of social work jobs, these are some of my must-haves, otherwise it's a deal-breaker:


1.) Job must come with health care benefits for me and my family. Not saying the employer must foot the whole bill, but if it doesn't offer health insurance, then what is the point?

2.) I would like a position that offers SOME flexibility. I don't mind working business hours, or even some *gasp* later hours or even a weekend day, but it would be nice to be able to work from home or not go into the office all of the time.

3.) If the job requires fieldwork, it would be a wonderful thing if the agency actually supplied the vehicle.

4.) And speaking of supplying a vehicle, if you can't do that, please understand that there is no way I am taking on the liability of putting a client in MY car. Nope, never, will NOT do. (I can't believe there are so many agencies that make this a job requirement!).

5.) Fairly close to home. Otherwise, again, what is the point? I don't want to add the stress of a long commute, especially now that I have my son. I miss taking the train into the city some days so I could read a book a week, but I do NOT miss getting home late and dealing with nasty people on the LIRR.

6.) Somewhat livable wage. I would like to be able to pay my bills, and put some money aside into savings. Otherwise, again, what's the point?

Do you think these things are too much to ask? Anything else you think I am missing?

What are YOUR deal-breakers when it comes to a job?

What a difference a week makes

This time ONE WEEK AGO

I was Upstate.

Waiting.

Nervous.

Anxious.

Away from my home.

The hurricane came and went.

And life is back to normal.

DS also has reached some milestones in just ONE WEEK.

Asking and going on the potty more. (*sorry if TMI).

And he actually listened to me this morning and picked up ALL of his toys.

I think he might be growing up. (*tear).

What are you lovelies doing this weekend?

Right now I am just catching up on all my blogs.

Thank you recent commenters for giving me some new reading material!

HAPPY SATURDAY and HAPPY LONG WEEKEND!

Namaste.

When do you know you've had enough?

I think I am starting to get to that point at work lately.

I have been trying to remain really positive, look at all the pros of my position, as well as remind myself that unlike many other people out there, at least I HAVE a job.

Lately though, all I feel is that I am being taken advantage of, and because of that, just merely walking into the office puts me in a bitter mood.

I know the final straw broke me earlier this week when a new co-worker refused to do something, so my boss told ME to do it.

It's not a little tiny thing either....it's driving over 300 miles round trip because they don't want to.

I'm just super irritated and annoyed and CAN'T get over this.

I know it's not the co-worker's fault because they are standing up for themselves on principle....they felt they were never told traveling would be part of their responsibilities at their interview.

But, as usual, it got spun around into being part of MY job description now.

Anyways, I have been looking at want ads all week and I KNOW at this point I need to suck it up already and take my LMSW exam.

I also am aware that the grass is not always greener elsewhere, but I do know too that there are things that go on, that are just plain wrong that we should NOT have to put up with, regardless if it's a bad economy, we're a social worker, or frankly, because someone else doesn't want to do it.

Fair is fair.

And right now I don't think I am being treated fairly.

Happy almost fall all!

I can't believe summer is almost over and fall is practically here.


Do you have any exciting plans coming up in the next few months?


What are your favorite things about fall?


I love the crisp, cool mornings.

Sweater and light jacket weather.

Boots!

Pumpkin spice everything.

Apple and pumpkin picking Upstate.

Cider!

My birthday and wedding anniversary wrapped up in one.

Colorful leaves.

Hot yoga in cooler weather.

Yummy-smelling fall scented candles.

Anticipation of the holiday season being right around the corner.

Blanks are back.

1. One thing that is completely superfluous, but that I could never give up is eating breakfast at Panera nearly every day before work.


2. Awkward pose makes me feel awkward.


3. I can't imagine life without, DS, the craziness of my job and hot yoga .


4. Salty chips and onion dip is my favorite snack.


5. Lately I've been loving cheese and bacon.

6. If at first you don't succeed realize that this may be a good thing.

7. Fall is one of my most favorite times of the year!