Here’s an excerpt from an actual text conversation between myself and a colleague:
COLLEAGUE: […] what is sleep?
ME: […] I hear sleep is a magical experience wherein one wakes up feeling rested. But I’m not sure I believe it 🙂
COLLEAGUE: Rest? What’s that? Not in my dictionary. I guess I’ll find out in 60 or so years.
Although this is intended to be dark humor, there is an iron bar hiding in that loaf of bread. Rest is an elusive creature that, like the happiness of the US Declaration of Independence, requires pursuit.
Confessions of a Productivity Addict
I am probably not the best person to be writing a blog post about self-care. Productivity is both the boon and bane of my life. I like to feel a sense of accomplishment at the end of the day. “Look how much I completed today!” Checklists? Bring them on. I want to check all of the boxes to show accomplishment. (Perhaps this is something I should discuss with a therapist. I’ll add that to my list.)
This doesn’t mean I don’t recognize the danger. In fact, I’m very good at telling others that they need to slow down, take a day off, rest. Yes, the hypocrite in me is strong. I’m notoriously bad at taking my own advice. So this won’t include a lot of advice – mostly observations.
The powerful beast that is productivity crawled inside my soul long, long ago. It’s a creature that feeds me with a sense of satisfaction every time I complete a task.
Navigating Burnout as a Freelance Interpreter
Now let’s add a profession to the mix – say, freelance interpreting – where one signs up with one or more agencies and tasks are offered on the daily. This is a soul-satisfying buffet! My inbox pings throughout my waking hours, offering a sumptuous feast of flavors.
Just like Ado Annie Carnes from the musical Oklahoma!, I can’t say no. At least, not easily. I want to work. I want to make sure these experiences are accessible. Lest this come across in the wrong way, let’s check that perceived savior complex at the door. Accessibility does not mean that I’m the bleeding heart hearing person making it possible for a Deaf or hard of hearing (DHH) person to have access to an experience; keep in mind that, if all hearing people knew American Sign Language (ASL), the interpreter wouldn’t be needed. We are there as much for the hearing people as we are for the DHH people.
Also, it doesn’t all fall on me, of course – there are many wonderful qualified interpreters out there who are also being offered these jobs. I recognize that, but I still feel the pressure. The people-pleasing gremlin inside of me grabs my heart with both hands and steers me toward acceptance, even while my brain shouts from the backseat, “We don’t have time for this! We’re burnt out!”
The Physical and Mental Demands of ASL Interpreting
Burnout is a real threat. There’s a reason interpreters are set up in teams. “Interpreting is mentally taxing. Studies show that after 20 minutes interpreting, no matter how much of an expert the interpreter is, they will begin to slip and lose information (Language Scientific, 2024).” Humans cannot work for an extended time without a break. Every profession requires some kind of downtime that allows the brain to relax and come back to the task refreshed.
Overloading a schedule might satiate the productivity beast (and to be honest, the wallet goblin), but the brain will not thank you for it. Nor will the body. One of the first lessons I learned is that interpreting is not just mentally taxing, it is physically exhausting! One piece of advice I was given at the start of my interpreting career was to start training in the gym – endurance training. Exercise, rest, healthy eating. It sounds simple, but then…productivity rears its monstrous head. If I’m not careful (self-careful?) I will make constant sacrifices to this tempting and tempestuous deity until I’m left an empty husk.
Self-Care Checklist for a Sustainable Interpreting Career
“Just when you feel you have no time to relax, know that this is the moment you most need to make time to relax.” ―Matt Haig
1. Time Management
I’ve found two paths that help me – and even these two don’t always work. One, I ride the productivity beast and make it work for me. I set up checklists that include things like, 30 minute rest, 10 minute meditation, exercise, drink water, etc. I also include activities that bring me joy: write 1500 words or read at least 1 chapter. (Okay, so writing may not be everyone’s thing, but by Marie Kondo’s rules, I get to keep it.)
Two, instead of or sometimes in combination with a checklist, I put these items on my calendar. I block out time specifically designed to force me to rest and I treat it like any other job. If someone contacts me with an opportunity, I check my calendar and if it conflicts with my rest time, I will politely decline. Granted, if it’s something dire or something I would really like to do, like with most scheduled activities, I will move things around. In general, though, I attempt to stick to the schedule.
Schedule can be my greatest ally in self-care. As a teacher, I often cannot take jobs during the earlier daytime hours and that makes it easier for me to filter the barrage of jobs coming in from the agencies. Even as I write this, ping!, another job offer hits my inbox.
2. Preparation
So far, this post has been about managing time, but what about when interpreters are actually working? I always have a bag with me. That bag includes: a bottle of water, a book (something to do during travel), a tin of mints, chapstick, usually a snack of some kind, and my iPad (so I have access to my preparation documents).
There are interpreters I know who bring a “survival kit” with toothbrush and toothpaste, suntan lotion, moisturizing cream, a set of utensils with a reusable straw, tampons, and other paraphernalia that will help them take care of themselves on the go. It can happen where I am running from job to job and I don’t have time to grab a snack or anything en route, especially if the trains are having issues. A little preparation goes a long way to keep my stamina going.
3. Reflection
Finally, there’s what happens after a job. Some jobs can be emotionally draining due to the way I’ve been treated as an interpreter, the stress of a situation, or the upsetting nature of the content. Sometimes, a debrief with my team is enough to help me let go of those feelings. Sometimes, I need something more professional. In addition to exercise, I was recommended to have a therapist to discuss (without breaking any confidentiality) the stressors associated with a people-facing profession.
From Burnout to Balance: What’s Your Self-Care Strategy?
For me, self-care requires work. Harnessing the productivity beast is no easy feat as it soars higher and higher. It is exhilarating but if you lose your balance, there’s so very far to fall.
How do you take care of yourself? Whatever your profession, what strategies do you employ to maintain your balance?
Thanks for reading. Take care!
