Years can go by as you realize that you didn’t accomplish something that was important to you. Caregiving can become all-consuming. It’s important for your sanity to recognize when you’re doing this. I’m also writing this to myself as a reminder.
It often starts out subtly. You either reduce your workouts or stop going to the gym. You take on less work responsibilities. You stop doing things for pleasure such as reading because you don’t have the time. Gradually, without even realizing, you don’t leave the house as much as you used to, and caregiving has taken over your life.
It starts with the small things. It helps to have a non-negotiable list. It can be the top three things you do for yourself. As an example, my list includes:
- Listen to music for 15 minutes
- Slowly enjoy a cup of herbal tea after dinner.
- Take a daily walk and express gratitude as I notice the good things around me.
If I skip a day, I immediately notice a difference in my mood and attitude. Your list can change based on the season and your schedule. By having the list visible on your phone, post-it on your mirror, or notebook will help remind you to take care of yourself.
You can also make a list that will take a larger goal you have and small actions that you can take daily to reach your goal. This way you are still taking action without feeling stuck and overwhelmed, or feeling you don’t have enough time. This list could include things such as call a grad school for a program you’re interested in. Don’t think about how long something is taking. Making progress will give you the boost to keep going and you will feel more contentment around your life circumstances. You can support the caregivers in your life by encouraging them to pursue what’s important to them.
