Rewriting the Wounded Healer & Embodying the Empowered Healer
As healers, practitioners, doctors, teachers, social workers, or anyone who is deep in the act of service and giving, we get to rewrite the story of the Wounded Healer.
Traditionally passed down with the story of Chiron in Greek mythology of being a giver to those people in need but then forgetting to give back to himself. I see this story playing out in many healers and doctors around me — people who are so good at what they do, but then forget to support themselves and end up feeling unsupported. As this pattern keeps playing out, these individuals may become challenged with their health, then at which point they must take a step back from their work if necessary.
I’ve heard many stories of healers who end up being the most well-known and recognized doctors but then being diagnosed with cancer later in their life. Or the story of the trauma psychologist who takes on so much, and ends up being traumatized. How do we as people who are here to give, give back to ourselves? How do we take care of ourselves? How do we prioritize the self-care that is needed for sustainability and longevity?
These are the questions that need to be asked as we move forward as practitioners. We will soon see the effects of people who came before us working hard, burning out one’s resources, and putting others before themselves. The Healer does not need to be the martyr or self-sabotaging Wounded Healer that overdoes it and takes on too much.
Rather, when we take care of ourselves, we can show up even more for everyone else, especially our clients. So, even when we are in the middle of things and in the middle of life, we must learn how to create sustainable health, supportive beliefs, and self-care practices for us and our health. This is the path of the Empowered Healer.
Now is the best time to take action to learn and create that system for ourselves — what could this look like? Below is a breakdown of the beliefs and practices of the Wounded Healer & the Empowered Healer.
The Wounded Healer
Beliefs
I must continue to work hard to make sure my clients will get better.
I believe that success is through pain and suffering.
If I can step into another person’s perspective and take on other people’s pain and suffering, this makes me a better practitioner.
Taking care of myself happens whenever I have the time.
The Empowered Healer
Beliefs
I prioritize my needs and self-care practices.
I am firm and flexible with my boundaries, however, I am clear on my non-negotiables with my clients.
I have set ground rules for myself with my career, work, life, and relationships.
When I am in the role of being of service, I am present. When I am no longer in service, I can learn to step out of those shoes and live my life.
Recommended Practices
Scheduling time in the calendar to take care of oneself
Writing out things or beliefs that need to be released, and bringing in new supportive beliefs and positive affirmations
Developing a routine and best times of day for supportive wellness practices such as exercise routine
Prioritizing one’s joy, adventure, excitement, and pleasure to balance out working time
Cultivating a supportive community and support team
First, it is about acknowledging that we have leaned one way or the other and that in fact, we hold both the yin and the yang. This process of unraveling behavior and patterns start with realizing that we are always learning and each a work in progress. It is without the counterforce or gravity of life, then we would not change.
It is about understanding how these patterns show up for us, becoming aware, and committing to change for the need for better health, vitality, longevity, and sustainability. As we intentionally recreate our life by shifting our thoughts and reprioritizing our self-care, we can start to rewrite the collective story of the Wounded Healer. Instead, we can live as Empowered Healers, who are walking their talk, taking care of themselves and others.
With gratitude,
