Optimism

Fresh out of graduate school, I was overly optimistic that I too could change the world. Receiving your master’s in social work has a way of doing that to you. Yet, one year later, I was burnt out. I barely felt as though I knew who I was or why I went into the field of social work in the first place. But, my last day working at Child Protective Services was also the very day that I found out that I was pregnant with my daughter. Sometimes the world works in mysterious ways and I thought that this was the world’s way of telling me that the time was right for me to move on. So, I moved out of the high stress environment of child welfare and back into behavioral health research.

While this may sound like a stretch, I worked in research the entire time I was in graduate school and it’s become a passion of mine. Over the past three years, I have continued to work in research; however, my last position was one that I took purely because it was with the same research organization and around our new home in Maryland even though the work was no longer in behavioral health. While the money was amazing, I always felt like I was selling myself out. An internal debate ensued. Why work in an area of research that has no interest to you? I was bored; yet, I stayed since there was flexibility for the instability associated being a military spouse. After I moved to NY and my boss told me that he would not renew my contract come December of this year, I wasn’t surprised. I knew he wanted someone that was local and I felt that continuing on in that position did nothing for my personal and professional growth. I started the job search, accepted a new position, gave my notice in October and finished my last day of work just before Marine Corps Marathon.

So, why mention this?

On November 4th, I started a new job. I am “back in the field” so to speak. I’m out of my comfort zone of working in research. One week in and I’m a bit exhausted by the training and the thought of working with persons experiencing domestic abuse again is a little overwhelming. But this time, I know I’m better prepared for the work ahead. There is one huge difference between the Lisa out of graduate school and the Lisa of today.

Today, I run.

This is the best form of self-care that I can image and I hope that running will allow me to keep a free mind and be at my best for my clients. It’s kind of funny that running has brought me a renewed sense of optimism. Only time will tell.

How has running changed your outlook on life?

Lisa