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In today’s episode, I’m sharing my dishonesty.  The last few weeks I have been lying to myself.  I’ve been telling myself stories and covering up my true feelings, my true thoughts and not doing what’s best for myself in this caregiving journey.  

I had so many moments of anger, frustrations, denial and self-imposed pressures in the last couple weeks.  I was choosing to ignore the feelings and thoughts or blaming it on other things.  Until I realized I had to be honest with myself and figure out my whys.  

Why am I angry?   I didn’t recognize myself having these types of behaviors.  I felt off and was feeling stress.  

Why am I moody?  Why am I frustrated?  Looking back I realized I jammed too much into one week.   I felt anxiety, stretched and frustrated and moody.  Everything feels heavy and challenging.   

I was catching myself thinking negative and saying negative things.  I was becoming a complainer and feeling sorry for myself - and… that’s not me.     Honestly - I was way overcommitted.  

Signs that you need to be honest with yourself.  

1. If you feel off and not yourself.  
2. You are self-sabotaging yourself 
3. You complain, but don’t take action 
4. Not taking feedback well

How to be honest with yourself.  

When you get to this point, be proud of yourself.  You realized you need to be honest with yourself and take actions.  This isn't easy, but it will shift your mindset and a new way of thinking - moving your from less stress and anxiety and more joy and gratitude.  

1.  Be Open and Vulnerable:  Be willing to step into each situation and assess it.  Listen to yourself and others.   This may require you to journal out your thoughts and feelings or even talk to someone about it. 
2. Reflect Each Day:  Taking time each day to reflect on your decisions, thoughts, and actions.  Reflection can not only help you be honest with yourself, but can make you feel more fulfilled and grateful.  Try writing in a journaling each day:  What did I do well today?  What can I do better tomorrow? Am I granting myself grace?  How am I treating myself?   

When you’re reflecting on yourself - I want you to think through your caregiver overwhelm.  Are you stressed, burning out or fatigues.  Get my free resource - The 3 stages of caregiver overwhelm.   Go tocathylvan.com/caregiverstress

       3.  Be Self-Aware:  When you become aware of your own patterns you can finally begin                        to be honest with yourself
       4.  Being Patient and Embracing Yourself

Each day, we face new challenges and try, once again, to solve those that keep recurring. Being a caregiver is hard work, and it is impossible to keep a level head at all times. Moments of sadness, frustration and anger can easily get the best of us.

Being honest with yourself requires self-awareness and even courage. But I know when you take some time to reflect on yourself and put yourself first, ask yourself:  What are my stressors?   Am I being truthful?  

When you take control of your stress and overwhelm, you can find more joy in this season of caregiving.  

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