There comes a time in our lives that the past feels parallel with where we are as we have a flashback to specific moments. Time passes all too quickly, and as family caregivers, the ‘Wished I had’ and ‘Gosh, if only’ can be consuming. Rewinding the tape can happen often.
Something that can help with the regrets of forgetting something due to having so many things to do is prioritizing. Here are a few tips to help:
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Make a list of everything that needs to be done. I know this can be daunting at times, but if you write down tasks randomly in a notebook throughout your days, you’ll be able to get the majority of things down.
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Go back through the list and prioritize it with the most urgent tasks towards the top.
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Be sure to add in checkboxes so that you can keep track of (and celebrate) your accomplishments.
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Include doing a little something positive to boost your emotions (yep, that self-care thing) and something that might brighten your loved ones day as well. The last thing you want is to go to sleep with “I wish…..”.
Family caregiving can be a bit of a time warp. Some days go so slow and others you blink, and they’re gone. Having everything down in one place can be so beneficial, and if someone needs to step in to help, it’s easy for them to get caught up as well. Don’t let your life slip by too fast, or miss out on time spent with your loved one. Getting things prioritized can open up space for enjoying simple moments.
I watched a family across the street yesterday; while the husband was being pushed in his wheelchair up to a medical transport vehicle, his wife stood behind him, hands on her hips and head tilted to the side; she appeared to be barely breathing. From 100 feet away, I could feel the despair and fear. Though I had no idea of what was happening, it was heartbreaking to watch and feel the energy swirling — flashbacks of moments gone by perhaps.
Pay attention to what is right in front of you. Pay attention to what your heart is seeking. Eliminate a stack of to-dos and moments of regrets. There is a song by the group Nickelback called; “If Today Was Your Last Day”. Though rock may not be your cup of tea, it is a powerful and moving song to listen to or read through the lyrics.
Don’t live your life with regret.
Hugs,
Cyndi