Do you remember what it’s like to just be you, or do you only think about who you are as a caregiver? If you fall into the latter camp, you’re not alone. Plenty of caregivers have lost sight of who they are because their role as a caregiver is much more important. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s something that you have to deal with sooner rather than later.
Make Appointments with You for You
It’s really difficult for most family caregivers to set aside time just for themselves. One way around this is to start looking at time for you as an appointment that is first of all very important and second, that you can’t break at all. This point of view can help you to start regarding yourself as important and as a separate entity from your identity as a caregiver.
When You’re Off, You’re Off
When you do finally keep your appointments with yourself for time away, they’re non-negotiable. When you’re off and away from being a caregiver, you’re off and away from being a caregiver. If you cave on this, then your time on your own is not going to mean as much for you or for the other people in your life. They’ll know that they can call you and guilt you into coming back and taking over again, even if they could handle whatever is going on.
Don’t Flake on Plans
It’s not always easy as a family caregiver to make plans. Something can happen, especially at the very last second, that makes you have to cancel. But if you’re doing this more often than not, that’s a problem. Start making sure that you don’t flake out on plans that you make, whether they’re your own plans or plans with other people. Do everything that you can to put emergency coverage in place and keep your plans.
Stop Thinking about What You Should Do
So many caregivers get derailed because they focus on what they should be doing rather than what they want to do. While this is an understandable perspective, it’s not sustainable. If you never do what you want to do, that’s going to present a problem at some point. While you’re making plans and taking time for yourself, do so with only the thought in mind that you’re doing what you want to do. Don’t think about what you should be doing.
Maintaining your identity as an individual is easier than you think. You’re more than just a caregiver and you need to give yourself the time and the space to remember that more often.
If you or an aging loved one are considering caregivers in Shepherd, MT, please contact the caring staff at SYNERGY HomeCare Billings today at 406-839-2390.
