As Scarlett said..

I’ve had the same hairdresser for thirty years on and off.

We talk about many things, however, one recurrent theme is the toll that dealing with the public takes on our professions.

Our shared confessions about how taxing it can be giving to people all day, for thirty years.

Maybe it's because I usually see her at the end of the day towards the end of the week.

Maybe it's because we are tired?

Maybe because dealing with people and trying to help them takes a toll?

Maybe it is because our professions are very draining. Clients have high expectations of the outcome of our work.

We talk about having to make small talk and the need for quiet time to recover from this at the weekend or the evening when we get home.

It's a form of mutual support.

She has a young apprentice but no peer to share this with. It's her own small business, like so many small dental practices.

I was always lucky to work in larger practices where there were team members you could debrief with, chat to and share experiences with.

I think, in general, patients have no idea of the pressure we put on ourselves to deliver great work and how we might ruminate on our work or an interaction long after the patient has left.

Finding ways to manage this is essential for a long and happy professional career and that all important “work life balance”, a much overworked phrase.

A good starting place is recognising when to switch off and let the working day go, and reassuring yourself that you did your best in that moment. Have a colleague you can debrief with if necessary, even if they are not in your own practice.

Then set it aside as tomorrow is another day.

Have a great week

Rosie