S1E2 Journaling as Self-Care for Caregivers

In this episode of My Best Caregiver Life, Christy talks about how journaling can help caregivers manage stress and process emotions. She shares her journaling routine, simple ways to fit writing into a busy day, and three prompts to help caregivers work through difficult feelings. Tune in for practical tips and a reminder that caring for yourself is as important as caring for others. 

Transcript

Welcome to my best Caregiver Life, the space where we believe that a caregiver's needs should be prioritized. We believe that caregivers need to put their oxygen masks on first before helping anyone else, and we believe if you can't take care of yourself, you won't be able to take care of anyone else.

As caregivers, we carry so much physically, mentally, emotionally, and one thing that's been a lifeline for me has been journaling.

I hope by the end of this episode you'll see how it can be a lifeline for you as well. I'll share the benefits of Journaling, how to get started even with a busy schedule and three powerful prompts that can help you process difficult emotions.

So let's start talking about why journaling matters for caregivers.

As a caregiver like me, you're likely focused on everyone else's needs. Your emotions often get pushed to the side or buried altogether. Journaling has been a safe, private outlet for me where I could process anything and everything I've been feeling.

No matter whether it's been I've been frustrated, I have been angry, I have been sad, I have been happy. Journaling has provided a safe space for me and a private space for me to be able to get my thoughts out on paper.

So for me, journaling really has been cathartic.

It's a time early in the morning when no one else is awake and I can just write, no one's awake. The dogs are asleep, my husband's asleep, the house is quiet.

It's perfect. I have the energy and clarity to let my thoughts flow. I write about my hopes, my dreams, where I'm frustrated and what's weighing on me emotionally and mentally.

The simple practice helps me reconnect with myself and clear my mind before the day begins. It can do the same for you. Journaling allows you to let go of stress, reflect, even discover solutions to problems you didn't realize were there.

Making time for journaling in a busy schedule can be a challenge, and I know caregiving doesn't leave much free time, but I found that even a few minutes can make a huge difference.

My morning journaling time is sacred, but if mornings don't work for you, find a time that does. Maybe during a lunch break, after your loved one is settled, or before bed.

Find time going to the bathroom. You know, if you have to take five minutes in the bathroom to find some free time, I say go ahead and do it.

Anytime that you can get is enough time to journal.

It's not about writing pages or having a perfect grammar. You can grab any notebook, any pad of paper, set a timer for 5 minutes or 10 minutes and just let your thoughts flow.

Some days you might write a sentence, and other days you might write a full page. But the beauty of journaling is that it meets you where you are.

Journaling helps to also process difficult emotions, so let's talk about that. Caregiving can bring up a lot of guilt, frustration, sadness, even anger. And sometimes it's hard to know what to do with these feelings.

This is where journaling can help. Writing gives you a space to name what you're feeling without fear of judgment. I've had many days where I poured my frustrations onto the page, and by the time I'm done, I feel lighter, like I've released something that was weighing me down.

There are many days when journaling has just made me feel that I can go on with my days, that I can process my feelings, that I can continue on with the day and not take out any frustrations on my loved one.

Journaling isn't about fixing emotions. It's about giving them a voice. So when you allow yourself to acknowledge what you're feeling, you're talking. You're taking the first step towards healing.

Here are three prompts to get you started in journaling. If you're not sure where to start, here are three that I use when I use when I need to process emotions.

1. What is one emotion I've been avoiding and how can I face it with kindness today?

Sometimes you don't even realize what you're feeling until you write it down. So this prompt helps you to bring those feelings to the surface and treat them and yourself with some kindness and compassion.

Prompt number two:  What would I say to a friend who is feeling what I'm feeling right now?

We're often much kinder to others than we are to ourselves. We would never say the things to our friends that we say to ourselves. So imagine a friend going through what you're experiencing.

What words of comfort or encouragement would you offer them? Write those words for yourself.

Number three:  What is one thing I can forgive myself for today? Caregiving comes with so much guilt and frustration and worry and anger and upset and joy and happiness too.

So maybe you feel bad for needing a break or losing your temper. This prompt helps you to release that guilt and remind yourself that you are doing the best you can as a caregiver and that your needs matter.

These prompts are just starting points. They can open the door to insights and emotions you didn't realize you were even carrying. And journaling isn't about perfection. It's about showing up for yourself, even if it's just for a few minutes a day.

For me, my morning journaling practice is a way to check in with myself and to set the tone for my day. I encourage you to find a time that works for you.

Try one of these prompts and see how it feels. Remember, your emotions matter. Taking care of yourself emotionally isn't selfish, it's necessary. You're not just a caregiver, you're a person with needs.

Dreams. Dreams, feelings that deserve attention to thank you for spending time with me today. If you tried journaling or one of the prompts I shared, I'd love to hear how it works for you.

Feel free to reach out to me and share your experience. It inspires me to know that we're on this journey together. The way that you can do that is looking at the show notes.

There's a link at the top of the page. Send Christy a text. Click on that and you'll be able to send me a text message with your thoughts.

And if you found this episode helpful, please share it with another caregiver who might need the encouragement. And as always, take care of yourself. You deserve it. Until next time, happy journaling.