Within our caregiving ecosystem, opportunities to forgive frequently appear. There are likely people who let us down by not showing up. Then, some may have said things that felt insensitive, maybe said or done something hurtful without any idea of the slight. There may even be some folks who were more direct with an insult […]
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A sign of caregiver stress is not being able to escape the worries. Worries flow through our caregiver river, creating unexpected waterfalls and intense rapids that sweep us away. Caregiving worries keep us up at night, disrupt our day, and wreak havoc with our well-being. The 12th Sustainable Caregiving Strategy that supports caregiver self-care is
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Journaling is a way to process the complexities of caregiving, the turbulent emotions, the fear, and the confusion. Processing leads to a better understanding of what is going on behind the scenes. This insight can lead to a brighter outlook. Journaling thoughts and exploring them with curiosity and objectivity can be therapeutic. Our journal becomes
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Caring for a family member can be both rewarding and challenging, but it’s essential to recognize when we need help and not hesitate to ask for it. Caregivers face turbulent emotions such as guilt, grief, and feelings of inadequacy. We often find ourselves overwhelmed, trying to manage everything alone, and before we know it, we’re
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When we feel like we are drowning from caregiving’s constant stressors, the overwhelm can cause us to sink into the depths of despair. Our situation can feel hopeless, and we can feel helpless. We may harbor an expectation that we should be happy, and the shock of immense, uncomfortable, negative emotions can catch us off
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“By far the best way to prevent a tug-of-war is to not pick up your end of the rope.” Don Lancaster So much of our caregiving experience feels out of control, which is stressful. Caregiving conflicts can be unsettling. We have been plopped back into the nest, and our inner child has emerged to go
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“Compassion is about giving all the love that you’ve got.” Cheryl Strayed, author of the memoir Wild Compassion is the feeling that allows us to show kindness during difficult times. Where compassion is an internal feeling, kindness is an external action that embodies warmth and affection. As Cheryl Strayed said, feeling and showing compassion is
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“Self-care is doing the things that make you feel more like yourself.” Robyn Conely Downs You can prioritize your well-being while you care for your family member when you reimagine and micro-dose self-care throughout the day. Your activities before caregiving, going to the gym, reading for pleasure, sleeping, or spending time with friends, were just
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“Stress is caused by being here but wanting to be there or being in the present but wanting to be in the future. It’s a split that tears you apart inside.” Eckhart Tolle Caregiving is a trigger minefield. The awareness we cultivate through mindfulness helps us avoid the triggers and disarm the mines. This is
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“Compassionate people ask for what they need. They say no when they need to, and when they say yes, they mean it. They’re compassionate because their boundaries keep them out of resentment.” Brené Brown The Boundaries Burnout Connection Setting, modifying, and reinforcing boundaries can prevent caregiver burnout. You may be wondering, what are boundaries, what
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