Reflecting on the year gone by is not just an exercise in nostalgia; it's a powerful caregiver practice that enables personal growth and resilience. In the latest episode of the Caregiver Cup podcast, we delve into the intimate journey of reflecting on the past year's experiences, both the highs and lows, and how they can inform our caregiver path moving forward.

I share my moments of pride such as setting a retirement date and maintaining podcast consistency. You can see the transformative power of positivity and the importance of celebrating even the smallest successes. These personal stories are not only relatable but also serve as inspiration to journal your own triumphs and to cherish the memories that have made a lasting impact.

Throughout the episode, I share thought-provoking questions that serve to uncover areas of personal growth and the often overlooked moments of joy that arise from regular self-care practices. By guiding you through a reflective practice, the...

 Just when you think you have it figured out, a challenging day or week brings on added anxiety and stress.  

I brought my Mom home from bronchoscopy procedure.  The day started with a 5:30am check in, followed by all the vital checks, medical questions, pre-op meetings with the surgeon, anesthesiologists and surgical nurses.  Mom was poked 3 times before her IV worked, her oxygen levels dropped to 86 and was weak and dizzy after.   This lung cancer journey will be a big hurdle for her.  

Finally at noon, she was able to go home and I tucked her in bed.  Doctor's took their samples and we should hear in a few days, they said.   I locked Mom's door to her apartment and would check on her later. 

I jumped back in the car in the parking garage of her apartment and just totally lost it.  The tears just came and I sobbed like a baby.  The stresses of the day were bubbling up...

Before caregiving,  I was very active.   I went to the gym 5-6 days a week.  Prior to my Dad and Spouse getting their cancer diagnosis in Sept 2017, I was training for my 9th half marathon.  

It was a habit and routine I stuck with since I felt better.  I watched what I ate.  Don’t get me wrong, there were days I didn’t want to get up and move my body.  But when I did, I was happier.   

Then Sept 2017 came and I thought I didn’t have time.  I told myself I was too tired.

By Summer of 2019, I was 30 pounds heavier.  I had digestive issues and was clinically depressed.  I looked in the mirror at me and decided enough was enough.  

I knew I had to move each day.  It was hard to start again.  I knew what to do but breaking the caregiver life routine without exercise was harder than I could ever imagine.  

But I'm working on moving 20 minutes each day.   Even with the pandemic, I...

How many articles have you read?  How many times have people told you?  "Make sure you take care of yourself."  The struggle is real and it's easier said than done.

You know you need to be healthy and strong to be the best Caregiver, the best Wife, the best Boss, the best Co-worker and more.  If you are like me, putting yourself first is a struggle with feelings of guilt and shame.  

The flight attendant demonstrates the oxygen mask and says, in the event of an emergency you need to put yours on first before putting it on others.   Others will say you can't  pour from an empty cup.

So why do most women break this rule resulting in exhaustion, health issues, stress, and anxiety?   I believe some of it is because of learned habits, experiences and stereotypes.   

If you think about you as a young girl, you most likely developed nurturing and caregiving skills through watching your Mom,...