One challenge that caregivers often face is something I would call lack of privacy. Unlike privacy to dress or bathe, I’m referring to the kind of space that enables you to freely laugh, cry, express anger, or rail against “unfairness” of your current situation.
Though multiple tasks and responsibilities might make it hard to find that private space, it is well worth the time to consider the following questions.
1. Do you have a space in which you can be vulnerable and free from judgment? Have you had adequate emotional support throughout your caregiving tasks?
2. Do you think that reflecting on and discussing (with another person) your own concerns, conflicts, and fears would benefit you as a caregiver?
3. If you were to discuss these issues with someone, whom would you choose as the listener – a friend, colleague, mate, minister, other?
4. Do you feel you have an adequate physical support system, meaning helpful others able to run errands, deliver children to school or soccer practice?
5. If you tried to describe your life as a journey, in what stage of the process would you say you found yourself today? Where would you like to be? How do you plan to get there?