Stressed out caregiver

Wounded Times
Kathie Costos
October 3, 3023

If you are a caregiver, you deserve a superhero cape! In my case, the witch hat is more appropriate considering that is the way I feel most of the day.

I had to learn that taking care of my husband and 6-month-old puppy during most of the day has to include time for me to take care of myself. If I don't include myself on the to-do list then I won't be much good to those depending on me to do what they can't do for themselves. Top that off if, I'm cranky doing it, that won't help their mood or mine.

Choosing to put limits on what we do, and when we do it, is hard when we don't want to admit we're human and doing the best we can when they want it all! Our lives are on hold and that can be frustrating on top of everything else we have going on. 

For us, we're supposed to be enjoying retirement, or that's what I thought it was supposed to be like. What we were supposed to be and what we are are two totally different things. Figuring it out is a struggle.

The best advice I can give is to do what you can, when you can, as much as you can. Learn to let go of what you can't do. Make peace with it. Take time to do something you enjoy instead of trying to spend 24-7 taking care of everyone else. Breathe and, yes let out the grunt you're trying to hold in. If you can be sarcastic, that works for me too. (Okay, that works magic on my mood when I laugh at how impossible becomes possible.) It's also a lot better to spend the day without being a witch about all of it.

UPDATE

The post I put up proved that I am totally stressed out! I fixed it but what I regret most of all was leaving out one more thing that is vital to all caregivers. ASK FOR HELP WHEN YOU NEED IT! If we don't think we should need it, because we're the ones helping, remember everyone needs help. Even you!