When I found myself sad and lonely only 6 months into caregiving, I didn’t realize then that part of me was grieving. 

I was grieving 

the old me

the old way of life

the old world I never would be a part of again. 

Life for the people around me didn’t change, but the world my husband, daughter, and I lived in changed instantly, without warning. 

Grieving is a process we need to be able to go through as caregivers so we can let go of the old parts of us, the hobby, the goals, and all the things that don’t really fit into the life we are living now. 

Listen to this episode and learn not only how to let go but ways you can grieve and release what really doesn’t matter anymore. 

Download your free issue of Caregiving Confessions at

https://www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com/downloads

Do you remember the day you became a caregiver?

Most of us didn’t actively decide to become a caregiver. We stepped in because that was what we felt we should naturally do. It was a passive decision. 

This episode will help you understand how not being given the opportunity to make an active decision to become a caregiver started you off with a disadvantage and what you can do about it.

Download your free issue of Caregiving Confessions at

https://www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com/downloads

Feeling left out of life is an issue for most of us at some point of us being caregivers.

You miss the days when you can plan for vacations. Go out to do something fun on a whim and live a little more spontaneously. However, right now whenever you think about the possibility of getting away in any capacity you feel tethered to your house. 

Listen to this episdoe to hear how normal jealousy can be in caregiving and how to actually make that vacation escape happen even if you can’t travel.  Then download your free issue of Caregiving Confessions at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com/confessions

No matter where you ever are in your role as a caregiver it always requires you to do more, remember more, stress out more than you would if you weren’t caring for anyone but yourself. 

In this episode, I go over five ways you can learn to notice the little things. 

Listen now and then head over to www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com/confessions to download your free issue of Caregiving Confessions

We all crave connection. 

We all want to know we aren’t alone in our experiences as caregivers.

We’re looking for ways to change our outlook on life. 

And

We want to be entertained.

Listen now to learn how to figure out what your needs are as a caregiver, how to make them a priority in your life, and what the heck this has to do with the Dalai Lama. 

Or go directly to what you really need at https://www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com/confessions

Finding things that will help you relax a little or take a break from stress and that suit you can be difficult.

Because of that, I’d like for you to know that self-care isn’t easy. It’s the most difficult thing to do when you really need it and it takes a certain amount of drive from you to become a reality. So if you wonder why the words self-care cause you to cringe it could possibly be because being told to care for yourself is usually done with the attitude that it should be easy for you to do. Just meditate. Journal, how hard can that be? People from the outside of the caregiving experience can’t understand that it isn’t as simple as putting pen to paper. 

If this sounds like you, Listen to this episode if this sounds like you and find a solution to your self-care problems at https://www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com/confessions

I have a confession to make… When I first became a caregiver I had moments when I actually thought about running away. 

Sometimes just a thought is enough to cause a domino effect of emotions. 

We all need a place where we feel like we aren’t judged and we can “Confess” the taboo topics we’ve been holding onto all these years.

That’s why I created Caregiving Confessions. 

Let’s cast aside the guilt and shame that keeps us from doing things for ourselves.

Don't miss out on www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com/confessions 

People talk about caregivers like we’re all the same person. When people mention us, especially if they don’t have first-hand experiences as a caregiver or from working with caregivers you get the idea that they think everything for caregivers should be one size fits all. 

Listen today to learn how although our needs are similar not any two of the 62 million caregivers in the US are never the same and how understanding what phase of caregiving you’re in is important.

Find the transcripts and the free issue of Caregiving Confessions at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com

Do you know who you really are right now?

When caregivers find it difficult to find ways to enjoy their lives one of the biggest issues I find they have is the fact that even though they know they are caring for someone they haven’t accepted that they aren’t the people they once were. 

Listen to Episode 109 “The Clarity That Comes From Accepting vs Just Knowing You're a Caregiver” and begin to fully live your life now.

Find the free issue of Caregiving Confessions as well as the transcripts of this episode at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com

If you start to do something daily or weekly together that reduces your stress and anxiety as well as theirs you’ll create or strengthen your connection with them. This allows you to have moments together that you’ll be able to look back at and remember. By doing this you’re meeting so many needs both of you have.

You’re giving them the gift of connection. Something we all crave to some degree and it’s very easy to not connect with the person you care for because you spend all of your time doing things for them instead of doing things with them. 

Listen to this to find recommendations of things you can do with or alongside the person you care for and find more resources and support at www.loveyourcaregivinglife.com

Start making moments count!