Making New Years Resolutions is one of my favorite traditions every year. Last year I made resolutions to read 20 books (for fun!) in 2022, be more intentional about spending time with friends, and to be better about consistently working out. Now, I can’t say I met these goals (except the goal to spend more time with friends!!), but it still is fun making resolutions and even if a goal inspires you to do BETTER then it is worth it.
This year, I decided to make some resolutions for my SLP life – and to share these with you. Maybe sharing them with you all will help keep me more accountable!!! Keep reading to see my 2023 Resolutions as an SLP:
- Stop comparing myself to other SLPs. It is so easy to get on Instagram or TikTok and immediately feel like I am doing a terrible job as an SLP. People are online everyday telling you that your technique is wrong and there’s is right, and then another SLP will tell you the opposite. Social media is an amazing platform to get inspiration for therapy, new ideas for activities, and even learn new techniques you hadn’t heard of before. BUT – it is so important to remember that Instagrammers and TikTokers are just people. They are not text books or research articles and they do not always know best. They might serve as a great tool, but you can’t base your confidence on what social media is telling you. I once got on Instagram and saw that something I had been doing with one kiddo (which was working for them!!!) was apparently “wrong” and I freaked. I went into my next therapy session and tried a new technique that was “right” which didn’t work as well. I was so frustrated that this new “technique” wasn’t working… but then I realized that the old technique was working and I should do what is best for MY client – not someone else’s. Every single client is different and you might need to try several techniques to find a good fit, but don’t do something just because the current influencer told you to.
- Stop buying every toy I see. It is SO hard to walk through Target and not walk through the toy aisle. I see so many influencers on Instagram (see above…) posting about the next best toy and I immediately go to Amazon to see how much it costs. In 2022 I spent SO much money on therapy toys – and to be honest, the toys did not enhance my therapy sessions. Yes, my clients were excited when I brought a new toy to therapy. However, our therapy sessions were not any better because of this new toy. Toys are not evidence based – your therapy techniques are evidence based. You can have an excellent, evidence-based session playing with a rubber band. The toy does not create progress, you as a clinician makes progress!!! Plus, if you are excited about something then odds are your kiddo will be too!!
- Set time aside for me! When I get home from work and sit down on the couch, it’s hard to turn off my speechie brain. I always have the urge to see what’s new on speechie-Tok or start scrolling through SLP influencer’s pages on Instagram. If I have leftover documentation I feel like I need to get it done before work the next day. I also feel like I need to get on Pinterest and start planning amazing therapy sessions for tomorrow. While these are all good things, it doesn’t leave much time to do things for ME. My New Years Resolution is to set aside time for me, and time for speech. I’m going to set aside time to read books for fun, do puzzles, take walks, and spend time doing what I love. What I have to remind myself is, when you spend time doing things outside of work, for yourself, it will make you enjoy work more without creating burn out – plus it will improve your mental health!!!
I hope that 2023 brings you happiness and health, and all of your speechie dreams!!
–Courtney B SLP