This week’s post is “I’m Tired.” The construction in my house has ground to a halt, and this week I finally hit that point where I'm tired of living in a construction zone. Part of why this has taken so long is that I'm just too tired, and I really don't have the energy to push someone to complete a job that they know they should do.
I do understand the challenges my contractor has been facing. However, I'm at a point where I don't have the energy to be the squeaky wheel that gets the grease. This week I did muster up the extra energy I needed to put my foot down, but it's left me more tired than I usually am.
As a family caregiver, I'm tired all the time. I expect and accept that I’m tired because I’m managing the lives of two people. So as a family caregiver, I don't have extra. I don’t have extra time, I don’t have extra energy, and I certainly don’t have extra brain space. Having to be that squeaky wheel requires me to use energy that I don't have, and that's frustrating. So it’s really important for me to be honest about what I’m experiencing so that I can be patient as I navigate through it.
Being patient with yourself isn't easy, but it is essential for managing the lives of two people. Coping with the tiredness that is a fundamental part of my life right now is a challenge, and being patient with myself is definitely not easy. There are times when I'm really frustrated with myself because I want to do more than I feel that I'm able to do.
I have my moments when that little voice is telling me "Come on, let's get this done," is colliding with that voice that's saying "that's not gonna happen." It is in those moments that I have to step back and find some patience for myself so that I can do whatever it is I can do.
Being patient with myself reminds me that I am just one human being who is capable of doing only what one human being can do. It reminds me to make the best decisions I can in that moment so that I can have the best possible outcomes moving forward.
The current home construction projects are slowly coming to completion, so now I can redirect my brain space towards the construction projects that I need done before the winter starts.
My encouragement for you this week is be patient with yourself as you work through everything you have to do as a family caregiver.
Be well until next time.
Dr. Sheri
Dr. Sheri L. Yarbrough is an author, caregiver, and founder of Praxis Senior Care-Giving Solutions, a consulting business that provides care-givers with practical and easily implemented strategies that can be tailored to meet their individual care needs.
View Dr. Yarbrough's weekly blog on all things caregiving from a caregiver's perspective.
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