Your Peace of Mind Matters
Others may question all we do. We only need to answer to what brings us peace.
We often encounter family members and friends who seem to question our commitments to our caregiving responsibilities.
Their questions can drain us because we may feel the need to defend ourselves and then we have to fend off the impact of the doubts. At a time when we need all the energy we can get, we don’t need to waste our energy defending and fending off.
Rather than listen to those who don’t get it, we can instead listen to our definition of Peace of Mind.
What gives you peace of mind?
Your definition may change from morning to afternoon, from day to day and from year to year. It’s yours so you can change the definition as much and as often as you need.
Your definition of peace of mind means you act rather than doubt. You decide rather than mull. You change a decision rather than live with what no longer works. You clarify rather than let an incorrect assumption linger.
Your definition of peace of mind may be different for yourself and for your caree. You may decide to look for a new job rather than tolerating a bully for a boss. You may hire help to take time away because you worry your impatience will lead you to say or do something you’ll regret. You may set a boundary with your caree about the number of phone calls you will take from your caree during your work day. Your holiday decorations may be simple so that you can spend your time other ways. You may decide to give yourself a month before you hold your caree’s memorial service because you need a month to recover from your long days and nights.
Your peace of mind as it relates to your caree may mean you spend as much as time as possible with your caree during a hospitalization. You may decide the safest place for your caree is a facility rather than her home. During your caree’s last weeks, you may decide it’s not time to take a break.
When your peace of mind guides you, you also have a simple answer when others seem to question you: I have peace of mind which means I can sleep at night.
It’s most important you decide what gives you peace of mind. You, of all people, deserve it.
What gives you peace of mind?
Resources
Join us on December 6 at 7 p.m. ET (6 p.m. CT, 4 p.m. PT) for a special meeting, Taking Care of Family Caregivers, the World’s Largest Health Care Company.
After a two-year break, we’re hosting our 36-Hour Christmas Chat. Join us if you need a place to vent, share or connect with others who understand.