There’s a lot I wish people understood about being a caregiver, and none of it fits neatly into a Hallmark card or a wellness meme. Yes, it’s selfless and meaningful, but it’s also exhausting, isolating, and often goes unnoticed. Yet, amidst all this, caregivers like you and me still hold onto our dreams.
Being a caregiver is one of the most selfless, challenging, and transformative roles a person can undertake. However, there’s a profound depth to this experience that many people fail to grasp.
Caregiving involves more than just tending to someone else’s needs; it requires mastering time management like a skilled juggler, remaining flexible in the face of challenges, and prioritizing your self-care amid the busyness of life.
Caregiving involves more than just tending to someone else’s needs; it requires mastering time management like a skilled juggler, remaining flexible in the face of challenges, and prioritizing your self-care amid the busyness of life.
Having been a full-time caregiver for my son for 22 years, along with raising two incredible adults and caring for aging parents, I understand the weight of this journey on a personal level.
Here’s the crucial message I wish to share with fellow caregivers:
**You are just as important!**
You are a human being with your passions and dreams. Trust me, I know you have them—we all do. For me, my passions include photography, nurturing my garden, and helping others like you through advocacy and business coaching.
You weren’t put on this earth solely to serve others.
Let me clarify: caregiving is indeed a calling. However, somewhere along the way, many of us suppress our creative desires, hobbies, and even our health, convincing ourselves that there simply isn’t enough time.
But there is time. It may not be abundant, but it exists—those moments are there for the taking. I know exactly how it feels; I’ve had days when I reheated my coffee multiple times without ever sitting down. Those pockets of time matter.
Here’s what I’ve learned about carving out space for yourself,
even in the busiest of seasons:
1. **Stop Trying to Keep Up with Others**
Your life is uniquely yours. Your time, energy, and capacity are yours to shape. Don’t waste time comparing your journey to that of others who are not on the same path.
2. **Recognize Your Time**
Whether it’s a quick 15 minutes in the morning or a peaceful half-hour at night, use that time wisely. Protect it and cherish it. Even if it’s just to capture a few thoughts while dinner cooks (like I’m doing right now).
3. **Let Go of the Guilt**
Your dreams do not make you selfish. Your desire to grow, create, or simply rest is valid and does not require justification. It’s okay if things aren’t perfect—perfection isn’t the goal; taking that first step is.
If this resonates with you, I invite you to check out my eBook, *Caregiver to Creator*. In it, I share the real-life tools, strategies, and mindset shifts that allowed me to reclaim parts of myself that I thought were lost.
👉 [Click Here!! ]