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Before caregiving, perhaps you felt like a flower in bloom.
Then, with caregiving, one by one, a petal gets plucked. The sadness takes one, the frustration takes another, the worry takes another, the guilt takes two.
Now, you feel like a flower with just a few petals, like a flower that’s barely survived a horrible storm. How do you become full again?
Fullness comes from new growth. You can grow new petals when you:
–Practice forgiveness, especially of yourself, daily. You are doing your best, which is the absolute best you can do;
–Spend time regularly in quiet reflection, being grateful for your blessings;
–Talk about your difficult moments with a support system that comforts;
–Make your needs a priority in your schedule.
Your new growth will be more beautiful, more powerful and more dazzling than ever. You’ll flower again.
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Just prior to finding Caregiving.com, I had many “sinking” feelings, the kind where you feel like your breath is being taken out of you, or there is a weight on your shoulders that a new day doesn’t help. As I was challenged with new hurdles to try and work through, either needing additional help, doctor’s advice, trying to convince a new doctor that old meds. have to stay, or needing additional medical products, my family and friends only offered one option, and that was to realize that I shouldn’t/couldn’t take the added responsibility of my mother on anymore. This morning my mother had a rough time. We don’t have a lot of moments like this, but this morning she sat and looked at her breakfast and didn’t know what to do with it. After I reminded her and we talked about everything in front of her–pills, coffee, muffin, fruit, etc. she began to understand. I felt that sinking feeling begin to come over me, but just for a moment…and then I remembered you all. I was o.k.. I have a wonderful support system now. So…in those sinking times, I want to come back stronger, only providing the water to the petals that need to grow. The support group, the routines, the quiet times, the priorities, all so important. Most of all, thank you to each of you for being such a wonderful support.
Hi–There’s nothing worse than the loneliness of the aloneness. I’m so glad you found us!! As lucky as you feel to have us, we are just as lucky to have you.
I hope the rest of the day has been okay.
And, remember, you are okay!!
Yes, I often feel the sadness and the frustation and sometimes the guilt. There has also been growth in character and faith. Hard times have made me stronger in the Lord. Would I change things if I could? In a second. God knows what still needs refining in my life, however, and where I need to grow yet.
One wonders sometimes why the process has to be so difficult, however. I am so thankful for my support system of understanding friends here at caregiving.com. Thank you!
She is the best!!….and we all are connected…none of us are ever alone as long as we can come here and meet up with each other……
and yippee for me….i worked out 75 minutes this morning and also did so much laundry, up and down, down and up…my pedometer is saying 9289 steps….yippee!!…less than 800 steps to go and its only 6:00 pm make your needs a priority!! Love it!!!
keep those petals on those flowers bright….better day tomorrow bette…I just feel it:)
JUST HAD A GOOD CRY. CAUSE I FEEL SO ALONE SOMETIMES AND VERY GUILTY FOR NOT DOING MY BEST.READING THE ARTICLE MADE ME FEEL SO MUCHBETTER I AM NOT ALONE GOD WILL HELP ME. I WILL DO MY BEST AT BEING A CAREGIVER TO MY MOM AND SPOUSE.
Hi Eva, You are doing your best! I hope the cry helped.
Keep us posted on how you’re doing. We’re always here to listen.
Eva, I think we all experience these feelings frequently. So often I feel like no one has any idea of what I go through. So often, I just want to sit down and bawl. Then I come and check out this site and read the articles and blogs and responses and I know that others experience the same feelings and it helps me cope for another day. Sometimes I feel sad for all of us, but there is always something uplifting and something to think about. I think God helps to carry us through the tough times. And I think that His angels help bear us up. And some of those angels are here–others who share and help us through. Hang in there!