Receive the Gift of Listening

Connect with a Listening Artist on Oct. 19 to tell a story.

I attended HLTH, a huge conference last week in Vegas. On the first day of the conference, I happened to find a free seat at a table during lunch. Another attendee joined me, as grateful as I at our good luck to find a spot to sit.

As we ate, we introduced ourselves and chatted. After I shared about my work, he told me about caring for his mother-in-law and the problems presented because of his father-in-law’s denial. And, then, he told me about another caregiving situation in his family: His parents care for his sister. As he shared more and more about the challenges of that situation (his aging parents, their resistance to getting help, his sister’s frail condition), he leaned forward and toward me.

I listened.

About 10 minutes later, he leaned back in his chair and smiled. “Talking about that felt so good,” he said. He looked lighter, as if he let go of the weight of the stress he carries.

Everyone deserves to feel understood and, by receiving that understanding, to feel the release of stress that happens when we hold tight to a story.

So you can connect to a good listener, we’re hosting a special event on October 19, The Caregiving Listener Project.

Any who currently cares or previously cared for a family member can join us to tell a Caregiving Story.

Our Why

We may keep so much inside during our personal caregiving experience because we can’t find a good listener. The pressure of keeping it in adds to an already stressful experience.

On October 19, you can tell a 4-minute caregiving story of your choice to a Listening Artist. You’ll share in a private Zoom room with just your Listening Artist; there’s no audience to ensure you feel comfortable sharing.

Our Listening Artists, who completed The Art of Listening training, will donate time on October 19 to receive a story in order to help the Story Teller release stress. After hearing a story, the Caregiving Listener will engage in a conversation about the story with the Story Teller.

Your Why

When we held this event in January, one of our Story Tellers joined us because she’s thinking about writing a book and wanted to share a story to help her find the words. Another Story Teller joined us to work through the intense experience of caring for her husband.

You may want to let go of a story you tell yourself. You may want to share a story so you find its ending. 

Whatever your reason, we’d love for you to join us.

Story Tellers can choose to record their story which they can keep for themselves or add to our library of Caregiving Stories.

Your Next Steps

We’ll gather on October 19 for stories at Noon ET and 7 p.m. ET. When you sign up, you’ll select a time slot that’s convenient for you. Your total time commitment is 30 minutes.

Learn more and sign up to be a Story Teller.

Thanks so much for your consideration! We’d love to have you join us. 

Please feel free to forward this newsletter to others who may be interested in sharing their stories with us on October 19.

Resources

• Join us on October 20 for a special event, Planning Your Return to Work After a Caregiving Leave. Our two-hour event begins at 11 a.m. ET.

• Our Fourth Annual Beginning Again Retreat happens on Saturday, October 21, at 10 a.m. ET. Join us to find your next steps as you adjust to life after caregiving ends.

• Nominate your favorite caregiving book, Advocate and TikTok Creator for The Caring Awards. Deadline to submit your nomination is November 1.

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