When we are going through change / hard seasons,  you need that purpose to get you out of bed on those hard days.   Need a reason  You need a why.  

What’s going to motivate you more.  It most likely is not work, caregiving and netflix.   You need something that’s going to keep you alive 

There are three phases of our caregiver normal:    

• 1st phase of being a new caregiver - that honeymoon stage
  • Everything is new
  • You go all in and do whatever it takes
  • You are totally committed and feel you can do it all
  • You may be sad, worried and can’t focus
• 2nd phase:  reality sinks in
  • You ask yourself - Is this my life?
  • Can i really do this forever?
  • You feel personal loss, loneliness and miss your old life.
• 3rd phase:  you have choices to change yourself and the situation
  • "We can’t control the storms coming in our life, but we can control how we work through the storms."  Trent Shelton
  • You...

Diana Winkler is a singer songwriter and I'm an abuse advocate.  She uses music as one of my healing tools and facilitates Meaning The Soul healing groups.  She is also a podcaster of the Wound of the Faithful Podcast.

She is married to her husband, Brain for 11 years who struggles with severe ulcerative colitis.  Diana is very transparent about her own health struggles with memory loss too.  

In my interview, I ask Diana to share her everyday schedule.  She is figuring it out by juggling her schedule, pursuing her passions and finding time for herself.  

I ask Diana to unpack her caregiving journey.  She shares her spouse’s 10 year journey with ulcerative colitis, from the initial diagnosis,  remission and through the pandemic.  She talks about the stressors of his disease and how it impacts her as a caregiver.  

She shares her gratitude of both being able to work from home but also the stress there too.  ...

Hello and welcome to another insightful episode of The Caregiver Cup Podcast. Today, we're delving into a crucial topic: How to Show Up Better When Faced with Hard Situations, Crises, or Feeling Stuck. This discussion stems from my recent personal experience with dental issues, and I believe it will shed light on transformative changes you can make in challenging circumstances.

In late February, I found myself in excruciating tooth pain. A visit to the dentist, an exam, and x-rays yielded no immediate solutions. Despite the pain being manageable at first, it intensified rapidly. This led to a frustrating series of events that mirrored the challenges many caregivers face.

This dental saga provided me with a fresh perspective on what we can control and influence in challenging situations, a lesson I believe is invaluable for caregivers. It's essential to consider what aspects we can change, influence, and control when faced with the overwhelming nature of caregiving.

So,...

Are you feeling like nothing is working in your Caregiver Life? Are you getting down on yourself with little hope that things will change? You're not alone. In this tough season, when caregiving feels overwhelming, it's crucial to remember three things.

1. You Are Not Alone: It might sound cliché, but acknowledging that you're not alone is essential. While it doesn't instantly alleviate the challenges, understanding that others have been there, too, can provide perspective and inspiration.

2. Caregiving Has Its Ups and Downs: Caregiving is a rollercoaster with its share of ups and downs. Recognizing this truth is the first step towards navigating the tough times effectively.

3. Stop Being So Hard on Yourself: Don't let missed tasks or mistakes define your worth. You can't control everything, and that's okay. Instead of self-criticism, ask yourself what went wrong, why it happened, and work towards a better plan.

Taking a Pause

Now, let's explore a crucial step in...

What about the hard days, the days when you want to throw in the towel, those days when you just want to quit being a caregiver.  As caregivers, you're navigating unbelievably complex and time-consuming situations.  

You're faced with the grimmest challenges 

• Your loved one is sick and you can’t fix it
• Your loved one is not the same person anymore 
• All your focus is on them, their symptoms and pains
• You’re the caregiver advocate
• You’re holding up the home and family 
• You’re dealing with finances and work
• Then add your own emotions/feelings onto that

How many times have you wished you could get off the caregiving train?  It’s not fun.  It’s a huge sacrifice.  Your heart is telling you to keep going but your mind and body are tapped and the pressure and exhaustion becomes too much.  

First, rid yourself of feeling guilty, embarrassed or shame.   You're human and it’s normal to...

There are two ways you become a caregiver:  

The first I call the creeper.   Maybe you can think of a better word…..    

1.  Caregiving often creeps up on you.  

It may start with dropping by your mom’s house and doing her laundry or taking your dad to a doctor’s appointment.  You find yourself doing the grocery shopping or refilling prescriptions.  Gradually, you are doing more and more.  At some point, you realize you have a commitment to take care of someone else

I can relate with my Mom aging.  Soon she won’t be driving. 

Or for others 

2.  The Sudden Event

Sometimes caregiving is triggered by a major health event, such as a stroke, heart attack, or accident.  Maybe you suddenly realize that dad’s memory lapses have become dangerous.  

The Sudden Events for me was my spouse showing me lumps in his groin area and under his arms.  We...

One of my favorite additions to The Caregiver Wife Podcast is the interviews with caregiver wives.  Each woman has a unique with a  different story.  Each diverse story that’s shared is a way for listeners to gain insights, motivation, inspiration, strength and ways to lead as a caregiver.  If you want to share your story, click this link.

I would love to connect with you!!!

And now on to the show episode….  In this episode…. 

I have the pleasure of interviewing Jodi Duggan.  She is a Mom, Grandmother, and Caregiver Wife.   I have a unique connection to her since she is married to my brother, John.   I knew her story but when I heard her share the details, I felt her strength, courage and abilities to overcome challenges in a whole different light.  Oh and did I share that she was a military wife raising 4 children while my brother was deployed.

Just 4 weeks after starting my caregiving journey, I stood at the starting line to run my half marathon.  I struggled, cried, and just about quit until I got to mile 10.  

I was numb.   I was lost.   I felt like I lost my purpose.   I was faking everything.   I was supposed to be the supportive wife - Denis was the one sick and needed me.   

I remember getting up on that October Saturday morning and it gray, cloudy with drizzly rain.   It was time to run my half marathon that I trained 12 weeks for.  The only issue is that the last 4 weeks were a total mess.   My Dad was diagnosed with pancreatic cancer.  Then Denis was diagnosed with CLL.   In those 4 weeks, I was  trying to work, run my business, going to doctor appointments and chemotherapy.  I didn’t run much in the last 4 weeks and my nutrition and diet was terrible.   When you ramp up to race day,  your main focus should...

Navigating the caregiving journey can be unpredictable, overwhelming, and demanding. Caregivers are often plunged into this role unexpectedly, with little to no preparation for the emotional, physical, and financial toll it can take. The challenges are heightened during a crisis, whether it’s a medical emergency, a sudden decline in the health of a loved one, or a personal loss. It's a journey that calls for resilience, compassion, and an arsenal of coping strategies.

For those who find themselves in the throes of caregiving, particularly during times of crisis, it's essential to acknowledge the stress and to develop techniques for managing it. Self-care becomes a lifeline, not a luxury. Deep chest breathing, for instance, is a powerful tool that can be employed anywhere, at any time, to help soothe the nervous system. It’s a simple act that can bring a moment of peace amidst the chaos. Similarly, the use of calming scents can transport the mind away from the...

Navigating the holiday season as a caregiver can be a challenging experience. The pressures of maintaining traditions, meeting expectations, and ensuring the wellbeing of your loved ones can sometimes overshadow the joy and cheer that the holidays typically bring. However, it's important to remember that it's okay to feel overwhelmed, and there are ways to make the holiday season simpler and more enjoyable for both you and your loved ones.

In our latest podcast episode, we share personal stories and practical advice to help caregivers navigate through the holiday season. We understand the challenges and emotions that often arise during this time of year and offer strategies to manage holiday stress and embrace the present.

The episode begins by acknowledging the importance of validating your feelings. Whether you're feeling crabby, dreading the holidays, or experiencing a mixture of emotions, it's okay. Embrace these feelings and share them with close friends, other caregivers, or...