Strengthening my Personal Resiliency

Last year, in the midst of someone's medical crisis, I had an "aha!" I began to understand the impact that doing (or not doing) a few simple daily tasks had on my emotional state. When life got crazy, I was not giving priority status my own care. And I could really tell.

I began to change this by paying attention to how I started the day. I credit Flylady.net with my understanding of the "Great Start". By defining a handful of morning activities that had the most impact on my day, I would then be able to focus on developing these habits. These would be things that I should be able to do, almost always, no matter what was going on in my life. This "Great Start" list formed a pillar of my self care project. I ended up with four "pillars" in my plan:
*Great Start
*Physical Wellness
*Order
*Spirit Care

With these pillars identified, I next listed a handful of daily tasks that fell under each category. The goal was to keep it simple. I would only list an item if it was realistic to maintain during the chaotic times of my caregiving life. Also, the pay off for doing (or not doing) it must be significant. I wasn't looking for busy work. I view my list of habits under each pillar to be somewhat dynamic. I can add or even delete items that don't prove their value quickly.

For the most part this is as far as I'd gone with it. In the months since I put it on paper I've been inconsistent with implementing my plan. I hope to do better this year. Through this blog maybe I'll find that there are other caregivers out there that will join me in my journey to self-care. My goal is to care for myself with the same commitment and tenacity that I care for my husband and parents. I believe that I can do that and you can too!

New Year - Renewed focus!

Happy New Year! I love New Years day! New Years day is all about fresh starts and I am the Queen of fresh starts!

Last year was not a great year for me so I am resolved to renew my efforts for my own self care. I'll explain my caregiving situation in more detail in a future post. For right now, know that I am a personal caregiver for my husband (a quadriplegic). Also, both of my parents have had hospitalizations in the past year for serious medical problems. As a nurse and the only one of five kids that is truly "in town" I feel the burden of their fragile health. (And, of course, I do this all while working full time!) At this moment in time everyone is stable so I wish to use this time to focus on my own care, so that I am "Prepared for Anything"!

If you are also a caregiver, you are aware that we live with the constant awareness that our time is not fully our own. All plans are tentative because of the unpredictable nature of their healthcare needs. In the past, I've used that as my blanket excuse for many things. And it has worked well. No one that knows my "situation" would dare expect me to make exercising, wellness, housework and self care a priority. So it's up to me to expect more of my self. This year will be different and I hope that by creating this blog I may find others that wish to join me in this commitment to our own care. In this way I intend to be "Prepared for Anything!"