Strength is for More Than Just Survival
Caregivers share many positive traits. Among these are strength, patience, tenacity, and courage. All of these help us respond to the unforeseen challenges that come our way along the road that is our life’s journey. They give us resilience and help us survive. But they also do much more than that … they help us GROW.
This week, we’re talking specifically about one of those traits: strength amidst adversity. As caregivers, we are often tested by adversity, much more than we would like. Some days, it takes great effort to face the roadblocks that stand in the way of progress. It can take even more strength and courage to recognize that we aren’t in control and to ask for help. But every day that we continue this fight, we get a little stronger, and that takes us a little farther down the road of personal growth.
We might even find that we are stronger than we thought we were. Using our strength to overcome adversity can help us discover skills that we didn’t know we had, gain more trust in our instincts and abilities, accept our vulnerability without succumbing to it, and build new relationships with others who are working toward similar goals.
But no matter how strong we are, we all need some help at times. Here are some strategies that may help you push through even the most difficult of circumstances:
Use humor to lighten the situation. A good laugh can help lift your mood, and it can help lift others’ spirits, as well.
Be mentally prepared. Be ready for a worst-case scenario, but recognize that it is unlikely to happen. A plan helps you to be thoughtful about your actions rather than letting your emotions control your responses when adversity does occur.
Recognize that past success can help you in the present. Remember that you have survived other crises. Think about what you did in those situations that could be helpful right now. Give yourself credit that you can handle this, too.
Make peace with the situation. Realize what you can and can’t control and let go of anything you can’t impact. Acceptance can bring relief.
What’s most important is that you have shown great strength and courage by stepping into a role that you may have known nothing about and caring for your loved one to the best of your ability. Recognize that strength, and let it empower YOU.