When I pause at the door, my dinner gets pushed back again.
When I get home from work and open the door, I think of what needs taking care of before I can sort out dinner.
Scenes
- I open the door, but can't step inside right away. — When I open the front door after work, I think of what needs taking care of before dinner for one. Dinner gets pushed back before I even take off my shoes.
- Things to take care of come before my meal. — Even as I try to sort out dinner, I contact someone or check what they need. It feels like I can't think about the next thing until I've finished this one.
- The care continues after work. — If you feel you can take care of yourself only after everything else is done, dinner keeps getting pushed back. Caregiver burnout can come not just from having too much to do, but from rest always coming last.
- Today, try fixing yourself a meal first. — When something to take care of comes to mind at the door, write it down and fix yourself a meal first. You may not feel at ease right away, but you might notice when your meal gets pushed back.
- One late meal doesn't mean you're back at square one. — Even on a day when you put off your meal again, you can see where that day's caregiving began. Taking care of your own meal isn't the same as giving up caring for others.
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.