Professional and personal lens
I'm learning something: You can't base your personal life off of your professional life. I mean that in one specific way, although I imagine this will become clear to me in other ways, too. In my mind, my professional lens is the social work one. In that lens, I see all people as worthy of the same quality of care, and to be treated with the same respect. I value their inherent similarities and differences. I approach things with a trauma-informed lens and I am careful not to give too much advice, because my role is as facilitator and guide for people who are truth- and help-seeking, not doer/finger-pointer. In my personal life, this is mostly the same. But I also am much more willing to give advice, be an educator/and finger-pointer when needed. I was talking to my best friend last weekend and I realized I was trying to hold back on something important we were discussing, because I didn't want to give advice. Then I thought, wait - she's my friend. NOT my client.