As I move into a new phase of being I am wearing jewelry, my hair is long uncombed, I have a sweatshirt, boy shorts with deep pockets, and chaco shoes. It a version of my camp counselor self- less clinic more wild wandering. One of the most important questions I ask when learning about folks who are in career moves is… What do you want to wear most days? The fit tells me a lot about the person and what they see themselves getting up to in a workplace. Remember who you want to be and who the workplace needs you to be, balance between them.
Other considerations include…
Two quotes come for integrating the personal and career counseling perspectives. The first I’ve held since about 2017 when I worked as a garden teacher for K-6th graders. Rachel Carson beautifully reminds us,
“If a child is to keep alive his inborn sense of wonder, he needs the companionship of at least one adult who can share it, rediscovering with him the joy, excitement, and mystery of the world we live in.”
The second quote comes from a lecture video in our weekly modules this summer. Urie Bronfenbrenner with passion reminds us counselors, “Every child needs at least one adult who is irrationally crazy about him or her.”
Both these scholars bring in a developmental play aspect into their research, specifically calling in the adults to remember how to be with children or the child-like wonder amidst the human condition. Bringing values of curiosity, joy and play into my work with people- students or folks seeking guidance in mental health is necessary and in my opinion helpful. For me the play and joy combat the dread and angst. For the people I serve curiosity can be the medicine… it may be bitter at times yet ultimately working towards healing and health.
Citations:
Bronfenbrenner, U. (2024).
Carson, R. (2024).