Parents proudly record a child’s height as growth takes place. Children themselves become excited about how much taller they are from one year to the next. But what about our mental, spiritual, or emotional health as adults? How have we changed from year to year? How do we know? Where or how have we recorded our growth?
Today I scanned one of my older journals and marveled at what has changed in my life in the last decade and what is nearly the same. Problems I thought would never go away actually did. Positive things that seemed to always be a part of my life have remained. But there were also some painful things I experienced and had to work my way through.
I have found that it helps to create a record of what you experience, especially as a caregiver. It doesn’t matter if you record your thoughts electronically or on paper. Just take a few minutes whenever you can to note how you are processing your experience. Include both the joys and the challenges. And every now and then, go back and review what you’ve written or recorded. Check to see how much you’ve grown over time, and smile as you reminisce.
Care For The Caregiver 