Hey there, fellow caregivers!

In this week's episode of Caregiver Cup Podcast, we delved deep into a topic that's near and dear to my heart: navigating ruminating thoughts on the caregiving journey. I shared my personal experiences and insights on how to transform those moments of dread into determination, and I wanted to expand on that in this blog post.

From Dread to Determination: My Journey

I woke up one Friday morning dreading the day ahead. Negative thoughts were swirling in my mind, and I couldn't shake the feeling of impending doom. My spouse, Denis, had an oncology appointment scheduled, and despite having been through similar appointments countless times before, this one felt different.

As I walked my dogs, trying to process my thoughts and mood, I realized there was more to my dread than just the appointment itself. It wasn't just the fear of bad news or uncertainty about Denis' health that weighed on me—it was something deeper.

After some introspection, I uncovered the root cause of my unease: my dissatisfaction with Denis' oncologist. While the doctor was undoubtedly qualified and provided good care, I struggled to connect with him. His communication style lacked empathy, and I often felt dismissed or unheard during appointments.

Despite Denis being content with the doctor, I knew I needed to find a way to advocate effectively for his care without letting my personal feelings cloud my judgment. That's when I turned to three key practices that have helped me navigate ruminating thoughts and transform dread into determination.

1. Acknowledge and Process

Acknowledging and processing my emotions was the first step in reclaiming control over my thoughts. Instead of pushing aside my feelings of frustration and resentment towards the doctor, I allowed myself to sit with them, understanding their root causes and how they were impacting my mindset.

2. Visualization

Visualization became my secret weapon in facing daunting situations head-on....