TAKING IT SLOW
Self-care begins with slowing down and caring for yourself is an act of self-love. It means you show up for yourself. For instance, when you've left the house to go on a walk and find it’s colder than you’d realized, you turn around to get your gloves so your hands don't freeze. You let yourself be rather than feel like you have to do and do, and do some more. You relax and hang out in limbo rather than try and grind through your to-do list so that nothing will be outstanding because the idea that nothing is outstanding is a myth. Release the feeling of urgency. Take a deep breath and EXHALE. 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪
Holiday pressure 🎄
For most of us, the holidays are both a time for joyous celebration and a lot of pressure. Maybe you feel like you need to decorate your Christmas tree in order for the house to feel more cozy. What if you put a couple of ornaments on your tree until you have enough time to decorate with your family in a relaxed and spacious way? Taking the pressure off is a way to savor and enjoy your life rather than being caught in the belief that “you are what you do.”
Many flavors of self-care 𓆩♡𓆪
Self-care can look a lot of different ways. One of our participants who is in her 80s said that she doesn't want to travel, but she still wants to see new things, so she watches videos of fish and birds set to beautiful music which fills her heart up because she is witnessing the beauty of God's creations. Self-care might mean that you pause to feel the sun on your face while you're out on a walk. Perhaps it means noticing the buoyancy of a puppy or a baby’s nose poking out from a stroller. Noticing is self-care.
No need to rush 𓆩♡𓆪
Many of us get ourselves into trouble when we rush. Rushing robs us of the momentary pleasure in what we are doing. If you're cranking through your list and feeling stressed out, you will miss the moment. Slowing down is powerful medicine. It gives us the chance to feel the full spectrum of our emotions. When we slow down and we don't get ahead of ourselves, we can stand here in the present and embrace the moment. If you would like to hear a meditation I recorded called, “There Is No Rush,” This is the link to the meditation:
People pleasing 𓆩♡𓆪
Sometimes you might find that you are pushing yourself so you don't disappoint another person. By the way, this disappointment is hypothetical because very often their disappointment is your projection. When you apologize for not getting something done you find they say something like, “Oh no, that's fine. I understand you have a lot on your plate.” Trust that if you take care of yourself and move forward with integrity, you will create sustainability in your life. Overriding your essential needs is painful. Put yourself on your list which means you actually put time on your calendar for yourself. Other people can wait. Even the little ones can wait. They need to learn patience and it's helpful for them to see their mother, taking care of herself.
Coming up next week: Finding Meaning 𓆩♡𓆪
When caregiving has been at the core of your experience and identity, the end of caregiving can trigger not only distress, but also guilt and uncomfortable and unanticipated feelings of relief. For some raregivers, grieving involves not only the loss of their loved one, especially a child, but also involves grieving for the life they hoped to live with their loved one. Over time, it is possible for raregivers to feel stronger and develop a new identity. Please join us to share what’s in your heart and learn ways of navigating these profound stages of caregiving. All of your feelings are welcome.
Please Join Us: You may not realize how much you need the Raregivers community until you find it. 𓆩♡𓆪
Zoom Link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/88974713173
We look forward to being with you soon. 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪 𓆩♡𓆪