Caregiver Little Neck NY
Being a family caregiver means that now and again you're going to make a mistake or do something that makes you feel terrible. What you need to do in that situation is forgive yourself, but that can be difficult to do.
Accept that You're Human and Going to Make Mistakes
It's really easy to have higher expectations for yourself than you do for other people in your life. You may not realize that you do this, but if you're having a difficult time accepting that you're going to make more than a few mistakes, you're expecting too much of yourself. Remember that you're only human. You have flaws and they're what make you the amazing and unique person that you are.
You're Not a Bad Person
It's also really easy to believe that if you make a mistake or you experience a feeling that is negative that you're suddenly a bad person. The truth is that everyone experiences negative emotions now and again. The difference is in how you handle it. When you're in that negative feeling, ask yourself why you feel that way and what you can do about it. When you make a mistake, know that you can make it better again.
Get Someone Else's Perspective on the Situation
Sometimes what you really need is to get someone else's perspective on a situation in order to understand it from your own point of view. Call up your best friend, your therapist, or a support group buddy. Talk to that person that you trust about the situation and ask them their take on it. You're likely to hear that you're being way too hard on yourself and you need to let go and forgive.
Imagine What You Would Tell Someone Else
If you're still having trouble forgiving yourself, try this exercise. Sit quietly and imagine that one of your best friends came to you about the exact same situation you're upset about. What would you tell that person? Really think through what you would say and what you would recommend that person do to correct the situation. You need to treat yourself the same way that you would your best friend, so take the advice that you would give.
Being a family caregiver means that you're not going to be perfect all the time, but you can pick yourself up and keep trying again and again.