i've color coordinated my closet. i've made it to yoga or to the gym every day. i've slept 8 hours every night. i've listened to NPR morning edition 4 days in a row. i'm organized, well rested, and all updated on politics. enough is enough people! put me to work!
every day i wait by the computer or the mailbox, just hoping that something might appear. it's really enough to make you crazy. i can't plan out my week. heck, i can't plan out the next day until 6pm and i'm sure nothing else is coming in the mail. my anxiety is peaking.
of course i'm not the only one who's life this delayed piece of paper is tragically ruining (slight dramatization). the effect is magnified by the thousands, seriously. i'm not carrying a caseload, therefore, every one has to cover for me. this means each therapist is probably seeing 10-12 patients daily, ultimately leading to burnout. the patients' care could be affected, which could impact their families lives. And what about the lives of the burnout therapists' families! it's one giant mess i tell ya.
but i'll also tell you this- my empathy meter is sharply rising. this is exactly (or closely) how patients must feel. waiting to hear from the doctor about their test results. waiting for the foley to come out. waiting to know if they're going home or to a nursing home. and of course they may also be sweating their impact on others lives- physically, mentally, and financially.
okay so now that i've learned that lesson and my empathy meter is at 99%, can i start work now?
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