What A Difference A Year Makes.
What A Difference A Year Makes.
I congratulate Chris MacLellan, the Blogger whose article is linked above, for coming to the realization that:
- caregiving is a noble and worthwhile job; and
- caregiving can be bad for one’s health.
All of us at one time or another have turned the focus away from our own well-being onto that of others to the detriment of our emotional and physical health. That doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t attend to the needs of others – we must if we’re to be a supportive society – but it’s important to be aware of what we personally need in order to remain healthy. It’s a difficult balance to reach, but it can be done.
My article, “Caregiver: put on your oxygen mask first” addresses the mistaken notion that we can do it all. We can’t. Our reserves will always run low and our fuel tank will always near empty unless we feed ourselves with that which sustains us. Chris discovered what he needed to do. I hope we all come up with the winning formula that allows us to take care of ourselves while we take care of others.
Living: the ultimate team sport 
September 11, 2012 at 4:01 am
I sure do wish I had discovered you as a resource while I was caring for my mom, BEFORE I gained 30 pounds. lol Although I did a fantastic job caring for myself till the very last few months when the demands just got way too minute by minute to do much else. Good thing my energy is returning along with my own health being a priority. Great post. all the best. beth
LikeLike
September 11, 2012 at 8:13 am
It sounds as though you figured it out in the long-term Beth, and for that I congratulate you. And of course, your mom benefited greatly from your time of caregiving and you came out on the other side a whole person. A win-win situation! Boomer98053, Irene in Redmond, Washington.
LikeLike
September 13, 2012 at 2:57 am
thanks Irene. You are very kind. It is a loooong road back but as my energy starts to return I am making progress. much love. z
LikeLike