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Thank YOU!

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Yessss! Thank you for seeing me and my courtship mate Nedra. I reminded him he needs someone to listen to him too and care for himself and he took my advice and I am beyond proud of him. The week of my birthday this month I asked an old friend to celebrate our official friendship day we met the day before so I reminded them and waited a weekend went by and said I felt unappreciated as a friend and that they begged me to be friends again but it's not mutual in regards to support and needs being met I care for theirs but mine go to the wayside on their end. It taught me the difference between tolerance and patience and when one runs out I need to run out completely. So too I had someone tell me they're life was falling apart so I acknowledged them so not Tobe rude because I wasn't emotionally well to give and she was mad I didn't give her the attention she was used to. Granted I cared more about my well-being so I could give to her when ready. Managing expectations and wellness is hard work but doable

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SOOO GOOD!! Thank you for sharing this, especially the tips you provided on how to manage caregiving fatigue, so practical!

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A great article. We need to remind ourselves that our needs are as important as others. Many of us grew up putting others before ourselves and ended up depleted or as we got older not knowing what gave us joy.

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As a therapist who’s figuring out retiring, my automatic response to need is to serve. After 50 years I know all the ins and outs of the need for self care. But the Ego needs, mine, keep me hooked. It is a spiritual fix of course. And your practical examples are excellent reminders that the world can take care of itself, even if not as well as I can 😂

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Thank you for sharing your wisdom - I will surely treasure this book. I’m a women’s health nurse and then I come home to care for my aging mother in law. I am exhausted on many levels. 💜

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Perhaps it's time to ask for some support. I experienced this decades ago and decided to set some boundaries and detach from my "role" of being the go-to person with friends and family. I also had to look at why I took on this "caretaker" role where I falsely believed that others' needs were more important than my own. If we don't look after ourselves first, then we are unable to look after others. But there has to be balance. Some great reading out there on these topics.

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Absolutely agree. It is a work in progress. Thank you for your thoughtful kindness and example of strength.

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Thank you for this, Nedra. I am a caregiver to my 11-year-old daughter Sarah, who has a rare craniofacial condition called Apert syndrome. Your article today reminded me to ask my husband for verbal appreciation. I easily hand out compliments, but it's harder for me to ask for affirmation. Thank you. Looking forward to your new book!

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Off to purchase the new book! Congratulations love your work.

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deletedOct 15
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Do we ask? Or do we tell them that we don't feel appreciated?

Do you know what makes you feel appreciated? People may not know.

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