Caregiver Olympics
If you or someone you know plays a caregiving role, I invite you to see how the term Caregiver Olympics lands.
What does it make you think about?
How does it move in your body?
How does it make you feel?
Can you relate?
Does it feel familiar?
I’m here to remind you that caregiving does feel like a marathon (lived experience of being one for over 30 years), and it’s normal to say things like: "Can I collapse now? Can I finally put my mask on? When can I stop?" I also want to say that it’s normal to resist care from others (insert cringe feeling here); and it’s okay to feel like you want a medal, even if it’s covered in blood, sweat and tears — you deserve it, and you’ve earned it. Oh, and does that saying “put your mask on first before putting on someone else’s” boil your blood? Fair, it’s a great reminder, but it’s also annoying because, if you’re a caregiver, you know that sometimes you can’t do it, even though you know you must. It is hard to be seen in these moments, and I am so with you. I see you as best I can.
So why am I writing this?
Honour my need to express this journey (healthy way of coping);
Identify how early strategies to support myself as a child may no longer need to be activated anymore — (i.e., caring isn’t a currency, caring as a defence from feeling pain or fear) deep sigh — yes, there is pain and grief here
Invite you to explore:
What it means for you to be a caregiver
What it means to receive and accept care for yourself
Why you care
What it would feel like to pause and enjoy being with the person you care for vs. doing for them
If this lands with you and you want to dig around some more and get to know what it means to be your version of a carer, feel free to reach out. I’d be happy to sit in this with you.
Signed,
A fellow Caregiver (with a sweaty medal)