Earlier this week, I was working on my memoir, and the words just wouldn't come together. Yes, I was getting words out, but they weren't coming out with the kind of flow that I wanted. It was getting a little bit irritating, so I had to remind myself to stop. If it wasn't going to work, then I didn't need to push it.
When I made myself stop, I realized that I have plenty of other things that I can be writing at this time. So I needed to be flexible in what I was going to write during that particular time. Pivoting to another project gave me space to let the memoir cool while still being productive.
In our role of family caregiver, we have our daily routines that have to be done. Keeping things orderly and on schedule is really essential for managing this really tough journey sometimes. But there's a downside to that.
Sometimes, we can get so ordered and structured in our routines that we forget what we're experiencing while we're doing what we're doing. There are days and times when you just don't feel like doing something. That's when it's important to take a step back and be flexible about what you're doing.
Sure, there are tasks that have less flexibility, like administering medicine at a particular time, or scheduling meals so that you can administer medication, or changing dressings on a wound. But then there are other things that do have some flexibility.
Sometimes we can think about, do I really need to go to the grocery store today or right now? Or can it wait a little bit? There are days when you are tired and you don't feel like standing up to vacuum or mop. It's at those times that it's important to step back and pivot and think about something you do feel like doing.
Being flexible about what you're doing gives you those little short breaks that you need in order to continue caring.
My encouragement for you this week is to be flexible. Remember that everything will get done even though it may be out of sequence.
Thanks for reading. 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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