Rethinking Self-Care: What Works for You?

I often say that I’m ‘bad’ at self-care. It’s something I hear a lot from people working in child safeguarding, especially those at International schools —there’s a perception that self-care means switching off completely, doing nothing, or indulging in relaxation in a very specific way. And if that’s not what we do, we must be doing it wrong.

But after ten days, three countries, five workshops, launching the first SAFE Interviewing course, and connecting with so many people who are passionate about protecting children from harm and abuse. Some of whom shared incredibly difficult safeguarding challenges, I’ve been reflecting on whether I really am ‘bad’ at self-care or if, perhaps, my self-care just looks different from other people’s or what I think it ‘should’ be..

Nothing wrong with yoga, if it works for you!

Self-care isn’t a one-size-fits-all concept. It’s not always about bubble baths and yoga (although if that works for you, brilliant!). Sometimes, it’s about carving out a moment of space to breathe, process, and regain perspective. Last year, after a particularly intense trip, I sat on a pool lounger in front of the ocean, working. That was my self-care. It gave me a chance to slow down and reflect, even while staying engaged in what I love doing. Some of my good friends were not impressed, I think they worried that I wasn’t stopping completely but I was really happy, reflecting on where that decision to start Encompass Safeguarding had gotten me in less than 18months (that isn’t a ‘flex’, you probably go on load more holidays and trips than I do, it was just lovely to be staring at the sea somewhere warm).

Yesterday, after speaking at the Vietnam Child Wellbeing & Safeguarding Summit, someone told me that they had been struggling so much with the stress and emotional weight of safeguarding that they needed time off work. But attending my session and connecting with others at the event had given them the support and encouragement they desperately needed. Do we really acknowledge that a conference could be self-care? Because for some people, being heard, feeling validated, and finding renewed energy through shared experiences is exactly what they need.

This morning, my only day off since this trip started (shh, don't mention that i'm writing this bog post!), I walked along the beach in Da Nang at 7am. Just time and space to think. Beaches won’t always be an option, but that’s not really the point. The point is that self-care is personal. It’s about finding what restores you—not what someone else says should restore you, even if that someone is your own critical internal voice!

So maybe we should stop saying we’re ‘bad’ at self-care and instead ask ourselves: Is what I’m doing helping me reset, refocus, and keep going? If the answer is yes, then maybe that’s all that matters.

I'd love to hear what you do for self-care!

Let me know, you might inspire me!

Sian Jorgensen MSc, MA, BACP, SWE

Director Encompass Safeguarding Ltd