“I love my job. Seriously. And this blog is so enjoyable to write because I get to spend it telling you all the reasons why I love being a psychologist! After discussing the costs of working as a psychologist in the last few blogs, talking about the good stuff is a great change of pace.

So, let’s keep it short, simple (and sweet) because I want you to see as clearly as possible why I think you should be a psychologist!

1. Real and meaningful human connection – so often in today’s society we are tuned into the screen of a device more often than we are tuned into our connection with another human. Empathically listening to someone’s experience of the world is a powerful tool to connect and invaluable in helping someone along their journey to wellness.
2. Seeing humans at their best – when people share their stories, all too often there are moments of great courage, compassion, kindness, skill and sheer brilliance that you’ll hear along the way. I often leave the therapy room inspired to be better in some way as a result.
3. Seeing humans at their worst – and when you hear of people at their best, there is always a flip side when clients are courageous enough to speak of when they are at their worst. Sharing their vulnerability in the therapeutic space is a privilege and always leaves me feeling hopeful for change – in the client, in myself, and in the world at large.
4. Being human is funny – let’s face it, if you can’t laugh at yourself life can get a little too serious! I love sharing a laugh with clients who are down with my dry humour and occasional sarcasm and I love hearing about times where people have used humour to cope with major emotional upheavals.
5. You can’t help but be inspired – the courage that I see every time someone shares their hopes, their dreams, their vulnerabilities, pain and their sticking points often leaves me in awe of how wonderful humans can be.
6. You can’t help but be challenged – sometimes hearing stories that challenge my own beliefs about the world, or seeing clients make choices that will continue to harm them challenges me to think outside the box both personally and therapeutically. We are all climbing our own mountain.
7. You can’t help but learn about people, the world and yourself – I’ve met some amazing people who have been in situations I will never be in. Being let into their emotional experience of such unusual situations lets me share their lessons too.
8. You will change (for the better) – I know this is a cliché, but clichés form because they’re true, right? My clients are my teachers as much as I’m their teacher and all of the lessons I’ve learned shape who I am (and who I try to be) today.
9. No two days are the same – Even when you’re sitting in the same chair in the same location at the same time, what the client brings to the session is always different and dynamic.
10. You get high from helping – helping people make small changes, moderate changes or huge changes to move from surviving to thriving is the BEST. REWARD. EVER.

Finding a job that is also your passion is rare but so incredibly valuable if you can get it. Not just for your well-being, but for your client’s well-being, your family’s well-being, and the community at large. And the science behind why it’s so valuable is explained here: http://liveyourlegend.net/wake-up-call-doing-work-you-love-could-save-your-life/

Take care of yourself first! And do what you love.”

Dr Rebecca Ray is a Clinical Psychologist and the founder of Happi Habits, a 12 week program that boosts happiness with scientifically proven positive psychology techniques. You can find the Happi Habits Community here:

www.happihabits.com.au
Facebook: Happi Habits
Twitter: @HappiHabits
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