- Before the readings, what came to mind first was the thought of “going outside to touch grass”. I’m not sure when that was coined, but the saying is relative to technological fatigue, amongst other things. In my personal experience, I have found myself using that phrase, especially when I’ve been on my phone, or realized that a majority of my time was eaten away by technology as a whole. Meanwhile, I have not thought much on the topic of technology-mediated practices before this class in as much depth as we do. If anything, I thought people who worked in tech – mediated practices were winning the game of life. Whether someone had the opportunity to work remotely, or if an in person meeting was moved to zoom instead, call me crazy, but I was ten toes in. In hindsight, it worked wonders during covid, but we aren’t living in those times any more.
- In looking at the continuum, the area that resonated with me most was the Routine/Fitness area. As someone who works from home most of the time, sleeps at home, cooks at home, breathes a majority of my life at home, and does school online, managing it all is a lot! When there is a lack of structure or balance, it is too easy to fall off. To prevent moving from health to burnout, I would need to create a routine for consistent breaks, focus on one thing at a time and utilize the different zones in my apartment building.
- Factors vs. Tech Fatigue:
- Tech & Office:Having an inadequate home office is problematic. I have a very small apartment, and the fact that I sleep and cry here is enough physical and emotional feeling to fill the apartment as a whole. I would address this issue by utilizing the other zones my apartment has to offer. There are private study rooms which will create that mindset that “this is where work gets done”.
- Training: As a teenager, I lived for the days where we would “train” by watching a series of videos and get paid for it. The downside and issue that I have till this day, is that I can guarantee you that I was not and might not in the future pay any attention whatsoever. I get so distracted, it should be studied. However, there is hope! Something that could address this issue is by turning my phone over and setting up the do not disturb feature. Moreover, I can have structured focus times and break times to itch the di-scratch-ion.
- Human Factors: The best part of working and going to school online is being alone. The worst part about working and going to school online is being isolated and feeling lonely. This aspect affects me most as even my speech is jumbled when I do go somewhere, because I technically don’t have to leave my house. I am constantly by myself and sometimes, I don’t notice it until I’m with other people and realize my interpersonal skills have depleted. To combat this, it would be nice to schedule times where I am with people throughout the week. For example, I go to church on Sundays.
- Clinical Care: Oftentimes, when technology is involved with helping to create spaces that are meant to be safe and warm, it can easily lead to a detached feeling simply because there is a lack of physical connection. To address this, it is important to simulate the same responses, and interactions that would be in person, online as well.
- In reading the opinions of the clinician, the one that resonated with me was surprising. I used to be very sociable, but I always got my work done. When the pandemic hit, I reverted back to my original self, which was very introverted. Now that I work from home and do everything from home, I desire interactions with others. So I resonated with the clinician who desired face-to-face interactions.
- While I can see myself engaging in tech-mediated practices, I will most definitely need a hybrid setting. I have seen what is on the remote side, and I am not a fan. I would rather come home tired and drained from other people than be tired of myself.
- I believe that Ratcliff’s definition needs more than just chronic stress to describe burnout. I would even argue that it does not even have to require other people. I feel like it is possible to burnout from yourself but I would agree that it could stem from others. An example of this is something I experienced where I attempted to juggle a lot of responsibilities at once for a prolonged amount of time.
- As someone whose currency burnt out, my burn out was burning out, so I was not motivated to read the other studies and writings. I would; however, like to take the MBI, because I am always interested in things like that. I feel like it would expose not only something I’ve known, but just how much influence it has on me.
- I believe that Ratcliff’s advice such as setting boundaries, the balance between work and personal life, and seeking peer reports are very useful tools in preventing burnout. While these are helpful, I can’t help but feel like these arise from the result of workloads, and just the normal wears and tears of Social Work. I do; however, wish to add that there should be mental health services advocated for social workers too.
I really connected with what you shared, especially the part about “going outside to touch grass.” That saying captures so much of what technological fatigue feels like when you realize just how much of your life is spent staring at a screen. I can relate to how easy it is to lose balance when everything, including school and rest, happens in the same space. It takes real effort to create structure and find ways to mentally and physically separate those zones. I also liked how you reflected on Ratcliff’s definition of burnout and added your own perspective. You made a strong point that burnout doesn’t always come from others; it can also stem from overextending yourself, even when you’re alone. I agree that while setting boundaries and maintaining balance are essential, there is a need for more mental health support and advocacy for social workers themselves. We often talk about caring for others but forget that social workers need consistent care too, especially in tech-mediated environments where fatigue can creep in so easily.
Hi Donna-Lee Small,
First, I love your picture that you used for your post. The term “going outside to touch the grass” resonated with me as well. It’s easy to work and rest and even having to schedule to do anything else outside of those things. I once worked from my one bedroom apartment and I started scheduling other activities like going to the gym, having lunch with friends, and working at other spaces outside of my apartment. I love coffee, so I would choose a different coffee shop, library, or depending on the weather, a park. I tried as much as possible to change my environment and my mood would follow that change as well. I see that I am more in burnout when I do not deviate from my routine and it’s a rountine that does not include exercise, meeting with friends, or changing my environment as I once did prior to the pandemic.
I totally got sucked into your post from the photo as well! I spend all my time at home working online and going to school online so, “I would rather come home tired and drained from other people than be tired of myself,” really stood out to me. I feel this way as well! I hate that when I log off, I just move to my couch. I feel like I don’t get the necessary break between work, school, and home life. A routine is a must even when we have the ability to be comfortable in our own homes.
I like your honest reflection and I can tell you that it’s very relatable; I see how technology and isolation shaved your experience. Your line about “touching grass” underlines the reality of technology fatigue that we usually overlook until we get burned out. You also connected Hilty’s idea to your own life and understood how essential routine and structure are in preventing burnout especially when work, rest and school happens in the same space. I also like your insight about Ratcliff’s definition for burnout showing that it can come from internal pressure and not just external influences. Social workers and even students push themselves so hard out of passion, empathy and professionalism and it can easily become self-inflicted fatigue.
Donna-Lee,
I truly enjoyed reading this post. You talked about what you learned from the readings, and then you incorporated your own experiences with humor and poking a bit of fun at yourself.
Physical separation of work and home has traditionally been our way of setting boundaries. Now that we are utilization technology in so many different aspects of our lives, that natural boundary no longer exists. So we are placed in a position to create other types of boundaries, right? While you didn’t exactly say this, you are suggesting that perhaps a hybrid approach to this reality could be more productive. I have written this many times as I read these posts, it doesn’t have to be an all or none proposition.
The big issue in our profession is whether or not we can come back to organizations to work. Many of you have talked about wanting your own practice, your own organization, your own ….., suggesting that this would provide you with the ability to control those variables. As someone who has run her own business – no matter what the business is, the dynamics are the same – you really aren’t quite as free as you might think.
The structure, camaraderie and supervision in an organizations is, in my humble opinion, the best way to practice the profession of social work. Just saying. Nice job ont his post.
Loved the image!
Dr P