Caring for the Inner Caregiver: The Caregiver’s Perspective

I would like to share how I am taking care of myself, to take good care of myself as a caregiver. It is important to take care of yourself, as we all know, to function in the best possible way. And it is certainly doubly important when you also care about others. In this day and age, almost everyone is taking on the task of caring for family members, be it their elderly parents, who they don’t want in a nursing home, or the grandchildren they have to raise, or even their own children. .

Being a baby boomer myself, I didn’t think I would continue to care for anyone but myself at my age, but the universe had different plans for me.

I’ve always been a bit lonely and after my youngest daughter went to college and got her own place, I’ve stayed that way and still live happily and somewhat in my own little world. In doing so, I have learned to relieve a lot of stress with simple techniques.

My perspective on things

Besides getting a good night’s sleep and eating organic and GMO-free food, your mood is something we sometimes neglect to make sure it’s healthy too. I like reading Eckhart Tolle, “A New Earth” and “The Power of Now” has helped me to be present and realize that I am not the voice in my head that speaks all the time. It helped me understand myself better, so when I had a way of thinking that was not conducive, I could change my line of thought or perception, which helped me immensely in all kinds of situations that would arise in life.

Being spiritual and vegan, being in nature for me is rejuvenating and empowering. Walking in the woods or just in the garden on the lawn, and when the weather permits, barefoot! Just by breathing fresh air when you have been indoors, the blood will flow and awaken your mind. We are fortunate to have animals, our extended family that brings us joy and comfort many times a day. Between 7 cats and a dog, blood pressure rarely increases in this household.

Remembering good advice

When I was in my 20s and 30s, I used to feel bad spending a little money on myself, but over time I learned that sometimes you have to do nice things for yourself because you are worth it. Good caregivers tend not to give themselves enough credit for everything they do. Taking care of another life and being responsible for its well-being is not easy, and if you are not in an optimal frame of mind, you could do more damage by trying to help someone else. So being kind to myself is an important rule that I follow.

Talk kindly to yourself. I am the hardest on myself and sometimes I would talk to myself. But no more. I have sticky notes in random places around my house that remind me how awesome I am. I always tell myself that I am a wonderful person who is full of love and compassion and that I am worthy of all the good things that come my way on a daily basis. Be your own cheerleader. My youngest daughter and I are close and I am fortunate to have at least two close friends to talk to when I need to.

A friend of mine who also has an adult son with Down syndrome told me that we were chosen to be his parents before they were born. That makes us special in itself. I will never forget that and will try every day to be the kind of person my daughter knew she would be. That is why he chose me to be his mom and his caretaker forever. She has taught me to keep going when I don’t think I can go any further. She has shown me that I have a strength that I never knew I had. To give up is not an option. I wear that title as my insignia. Caregivers do the same, you are worth it too. I wish you all love and happiness!