Before caregiving, check in with your morning
This story is for you, who wake before the alarm and first listen for signs of life in the next room.
Scenes
- The moment you wake, check on them first — You wake before the alarm and first check for signs of life in the next room. This story is for you, who put someone else's condition before your own day, again today.
- Even after resting, I'm waiting again — Even while you slept, your ears may never have fully rested. The more caregiving becomes familiar, the more noticing your own tired heart gets pushed aside.
- If there's no sound, I get up right away — At 6:30 a.m., you look toward the door, then turn on your phone. If it's quiet, you start today's caregiving by filling a glass of water.
- Waiting begins before the body does — Caregiver burnout doesn't come only from keeping your hands busy. If you check someone else's condition the moment you wake, even during rest your body moves toward staying by their side.
- Read your own state first — Tonight, write just one word on paper: “My body is ___ right now.” In the morning, read that first before checking on them.
- So your morning doesn't disappear too — This doesn't mean putting caregiving off. You can make room in your day for one moment to check on the heart that has held on so long.
Stories by Onyu
- Onyu
- Even after the meeting, thoughts of my parents stay with me.
- Even on my day off, I answered someone else first.
- After the meeting, I come back and start figuring out my living expenses.
- Even after a meeting, I come home and have to explain why I need to rest.
- Just before clocking out, the clock reminds me of a request
- Gray hair reflected in the window on a rainy day
- Right before clocking out, I pause before canceling our plans
- Right before quitting time, just thinking about learning makes me check the clock.