Learn to Say NO — Blog — Courage to Caregivers

Posts tagged Learn to Say NO

OCTOBER 2024 Newsletter: Choose Courage

What comes to mind when you hear the word "COURAGE?" Do you think of larger-than-life figures? The battles and revolutions you studied in school? The brave actions that individuals and communities have taken across time to change the world? Courage is a term that we hear often, yet we struggle sometimes to attribute to ourselves.

However, this month, we recognized the big and small ways we can be courageous in our everyday lives. Whether it is through LEARNING from our mistakes, FINDING strength amidst adversity, CHOOSING progress over perfection, or SAYING no, we bring courage to ourselves as caregivers.

Brené Brown says it best in her book The Gifts of Imperfection: "The root of the word courage is cor – the Latin word for heart. In one of its earliest forms, the word courage had a very different definition than it does today. Courage originally meant ‘To speak one’s mind by telling all one’s heart.’

“Over time, this definition has changed, and today, courage is more synonymous with being heroic. Heroics is important and we certainly need heroes, but I think we’ve lost touch with the idea that speaking honestly and openly about who we are, about what we’re feeling, and about our experiences (good and bad) is the definition of courage. Heroics is often about putting our life on the line. Ordinary courage is about putting our vulnerability on the line. In today’s world that’s pretty extraordinary.”

3 TOOLS TO CULTIVATE COURAGE:

Notice and Accept Your Thoughts and Emotions - It is natural to feel scared, stressed, and overwhelmed at times. Life is hard, and unexpected situations and events can occur! There is no shame in experiencing emotions. What matters is what we do with them.
Embrace Your Fears, and Share with Others - Recognize which of your fears are legitimate and which are unfounded. Remember, you are NOT alone. Find your community of support. Join our group coaching here!
Own Your Power, and Choose Courage - Courage is something we can learn. Take stock of your strengths and room for growth, and courageously take action. You got this!

Check out our entire October newsletter focused on Courage here.

Kristi HornerOctober 31, 2024Learn From Mistakes, Learning From Mistakes, Strength Amidst Adversity, Strength, Progress Over Perfection, Learn to Say NO

NOVEMBER 2023 Newsletter: Collaboration ... We are better TOGETHER

"Connection is the energy that is created between people when they feel seen, heard and valued - when they can give and receive without judgment." ~ Brené Brown

As human beings we are hard-wired for collaboration. Our brains have a need to connect with others in order to thrive. Throughout November we focused on learning to say no, managing perceptions, compare and despair, as well as forgiveness and gratitude all as ways to collaborate.

As caregivers, we often feel isolated and alone in our caregiving. The journey as a mental illness caregiver is especially lonely, as we feel it isn’t OUR story to tell - it’s our loved one’s story of living with mental illness (or other chronic or serious illness).

As caregivers, we often feel judged or shamed for our actions (or lack of actions) - and this makes it hard to connect with those we feel "don't understand" or in relationships where we don't feel safe sharing – or being vulnerable – as our most authentic true selves.

Courage to Caregivers brings together caregivers and has created a community of CARE. A place where you’ll never feel alone in your caregiving again. Where you are accepted for who you are (and that's SO much MORE than "just" your caregiving responsibilities).

We are here to support you - as a caregiver - as YOU - in your personal growth journey towards greater health and well-being. 💙 When you take care of yourself (too), you provide better care to those you love.

As caregivers - we can support each other. Remember, you are never alone. We are here for you in your journey of caring. We're SO serious about this - that during the Holidays we've added daily weekday availability to "Meet Up" via Zoom. See article below for all the details!

5 TOOLS TO CONNECT WITH COURAGE

BE PRESENT: Turn off your notifications and devices; take a break from your to-do lists.
ACTIVE LISTENING: Notice your body language - listen to understand (not to respond).
BE VULNERABLE: Be your authentic true self.
BE EMPATHETIC: Empathy is NOT sympathy. Empathy is feeling "with" another person. Put yourself in the other person's shoes.
ASK FOR WHAT YOU NEED: Be specific - people want to support you! Keep a list handy so you're always ready for "how can I help you?"

Check out our entire November newsletter focused on COLLABORATION here.

CollaborationKristi HornerNovember 30, 2023Collaboration, Learn to Say NO, Managing Perceptions, Compare and Despair, Forgiveness, Gratitude

You Have the Right to Say “No”

“Saying NO can be the ultimate self-care.” ~ Claudia Black

This week’s topic involves one of the most courageous actions you can take: saying no.

Caregivers often get pulled in many different directions, and we may discover that some things just aren’t “right” for us to take on at this point in our lives. In those cases, we need to learn to say no. Saying no helps us establish and enforce healthy boundaries on our time, energy, and space, to ensure that we can put our best selves forward for those who need us, and for ourselves. Failure to hold firm to these boundaries can leave us feeling overburdened and overcommitted.

CollaborationKristi HornerNovember 2, 2023Learn to Say NO