I want to be able to help people that are in a role of care giving and feeling overwhelmed, lost, and perhaps depressed. I am no expert with any official training. I am however an expert on my own life and telling a story about how I got to sunny skies and hopefully it will motivate someone out there who is struggling to get their life back. Everyday I try to motivate myself to step out of a comfort zone. I believe in God winks and yesterday I heard Mel Robbins a motivational speaker talk about the five second rule. https://melrobbins.com/blog/the-5-second-rule/ This is a fascinating concept that I have already put to use this morning. It is so true that we are the ones who are controlling our life. It is our inner voice that stops us from doing things. No matter how much information someone gives us ultimately it is up to us to do the work to get what we want out of life. It is so true that whenever I want to do something I need to do right now, because after five seconds my mind has either moved to a different thought or told me all the reasons that I can't do something. Check Mel Robbins out, she has already helped me.
Nine years ago I was stuck in a hole as a caregiver and every thought I had was centered around the people that I was caring for. I had lost who I was and began to resent people telling me who I should be. There is a lot of caregiver sites on google that talk about taking care of yourself and building support systems for yourself. I remember people saying to me find a support group, take care of yourself, you need to do this, you need to be strong and the list goes on. However if you are in a position of caring for others it has become like a habit and being told to take care of your own needs is hard. I found that no matter how many alliances, organizations, or groups are out there sometimes you need to have guidance to get you unstuck. They are great sites, but I needed someone to help me learn to take care of myself. I had gotten stuck in a lifestyle and I needed a caregiver. I am going to tell you how I helped myself. It wasn't an overnight cure. It was a journey over the last eight years.
The first thing I had to do was realize I needed some professional guidance. I started googling and found a local therapist. I chose a LMSW. She was someone to talk to about all the things that were bothering me and help me find resources to help the people I was caring for. That is where I started and then it was on to reading about everything that could improve my life. I was told to journal and I already had my blog "My Four Legged Friend Laney", so I took to writing. It was something that I could call my own and it was something that I loved. I needed to be more than just a caregiver.
So breaking the habit of just being a caregiver began about eight years ago I started with little goals to break some old habits. I started making the bed every morning after I got up. It may sound silly but it kept me from getting back in bed and it made me feel good. I loved getting into a nicely dressed bed at night rather than disheveled sheets and the comforter trailing on the floor. It only takes me two minutes to make it and pick up clothes laying on the floor. I won't mention who is leaving their clothes on the floor. LOL!
My husband wasn't on board with making the bed at first especially on the weekends, but he soon learned that I wasn't going to go anywhere without the bed made and he helps make the bed especially if he is hungry. I love you my husband!
So I would like to continue to tell you how I got my life back if you will follow me. I am still a caregiver today for some loved ones but my life is much better. By trial and error I have learned to take care of myself and you can also.
We are the only one that can make our self happy. Stop letting what others say control you. Get ready get set go 5-4-3-2-1. Thank You Mel Robbins !!
Life Is Beautiful !
Elizabeth:)
No comments:
Post a Comment