The ‘Price’ of CareGiving

As Caregivers we are often put in a position where we have to choose between what’s good for our self and what is  good for the person for whom we are caring.  If you are a caregiver like me (and I bet you are), you are always putting the needs of your caree first.   Placing someones else’s needs in front of your own can be difficult for some people to understand; but not for the caregiver! In our me first society, and in many business circles, decisions like this are frowned on and often not understood.

To be a healthy caregiver, we have to learn how to live life in the solutions of our Caregiving experience; not solely in the problems of our Caregiving experience.  By living a life focused on solutions, we live our life with clarity, hope and love. Focusing solely on problems, we live in fear, worry and despair.  Focusing on solutions is not only a  healthy mindset for caregivers, it is a healthy mindset for everyone.  

I have had to learn this lesson the hard way. After almost 10 years of Caregiving,  I started to focus more  on the problem, not the solutions. By focusing only on the problems, I lost myself and just created more problems in return.   Losing yourself complicates Caregiving.  While the love for your caree is strong and sealed, you have to love yourself first in order to solidify your inner peace and purpose.  Your life can’t be that of your caree!

Photo Credit: The Purple Jacket

The price of Caregiving is not fixed, it is different for everyone. But if you don’t recognize the personal cost in Caregiving, you can lose yourself in the process, and that cost is priceless.   What are the signs of losing yourself: weight gain, loss of focus/clarity, financial stress, spiritual uncertainty, your own purpose, professional satisfaction, detachment just to name a few.

For people who care, this is a conundrum. We are always asking ourselves…”Did I do enough; could I have done something different.”  

Yet what we might ask ourselves is…

Are we always looking at the problem, and not the solution? 

While I do not intend to lose  focus on the care of ‘The Little One’,  I am starting to refocus on caring for myself. This has been a revelation of sorts because ‘The Little One’  has been asking me (telling, demanding, requesting, you get the picture) to take better care of myself. Yet immersed in this care and unwilling to listen, reality has come full force.  How can I be a good caregiver, if I can’t take better care of myself?

Photo Credit: The Purple Jacket

It’s simple:

Eat Less… Move More

Focus on Solutions…Not Problems

Never quit caring… Especially for yourself  

You see…We might have Cancer…

but Cancer does not have us!

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