Congratulations to Runner-Up Winner Melissa J. from Greeley, Colorado.
To enter this year’s 20th Annual Caregiver Story contest, click here!
You have to learn to let things go that really don’t matter. Leave your bed unmade in the morning – it can be a reminder to take a short nap. Clean one bathroom or just do the dusting – why spend half of a day cleaning your house?
Time with your loved one or taking a break to do something that gives you joy is more important. Also, seek little things that make you smile – observe a bird, buy yourself a bouquet of flowers at the store, really stop and look at the sunrise or sunset, ask a friend to bring you a Starbucks. These can serve as tiny rewards to look forward to each day.
You may not be able to take a week-long vacation or even a day for yourself, but you can give yourself these little gifts to keep you energized if only for a few hours. Staying organized also helps so you don’t waste any precious time trying to find things or run in circles. I find making a list of things at the beginning of each week and checking them off helps me see how much I really am doing so the days I don’t get anything “extra” done are okay.
Finally, end the day enjoying some peace and quiet by yourself – even just 10 or 15 minutes before bed can feel like a huge indulgence when you’re a caregiver. Be kind to yourself!
Winners were selected by a panel of independent judges: Margarita Bermudez, the Manager of Professional Training and Healthcare Services at Alzheimer’s Los Angeles; Amanda Hlynosky, RN, BSN, a critical care nurse at Cleveland Clinic; and Leigh Ellen Key, Executive Director for Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation, South Texas and Louisiana/Mississippi Chapters. Click here to learn more.
