Yesterday was the second anniversary of a family member with dementia moving in with us. Before we took on this challenge my husband thought we just needed a few weeks to get into a good routine and everything would be fine. I thought he was unrealistic and it would take a few months before we’d get into a routine. I also thought we’d be caring for someone with Alzheimer’s for less than a year.
In so many ways we were both wrong. This has been one of the most challenging experiences of our lives, and more difficult than we anticipated.
As we’ve approached this two-year milestone, I’ve been reflecting on any insights I may have learned. But wisdom eludes me as I am still in the thick of it.
One thing I have learned, is I do better when I carve out time to fill my cup. Often, I fail at this. But, as soon as I can bring myself back to nurturing activities, I always begin to feel more grounded.
Self-care doesn’t require a big investment of time, and it doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. For me, many of my top tips involve movement I can do at home, or out in nature.
All of us will experience challenging times in our lives. I believe one advantage I’ve had is knowing how to nourish and nurture myself. This is something I have practiced for a long time. While this doesn’t mean I don’t struggle, I think I struggle less than if I had come into this chapter of life without these practices.
I am always playing with new ideas and trying new things. I am curious and love to explore. How do you fill your cup?
My Current Top Ways To Fill My Cup
- Morning swims with my favourite guy
- Going for a walk with the dog
- Waking extra early to have some morning solitude
- Some yoga while listening to whale songs https://insighttimer.com/newearthrecords/guided-meditations/reiki-whale-dreaming-meditation-by-kamal
- Matt Hill’s systema classes https://www.matthill.co.uk/
- Laura Ward’s movement classes https://www.lauravward.com/
- Journaling
- FireLily Dance https://firelilydance.com/
- Playing with drawing & painting https://www.juliegibbons.com/mandala-magic/
- Nurturing plants and a garden
- Meeting with my peer group (This is a group of four ladies from across North America. We met through an embodiment course and have been meeting via Zoom for 3 years)
- Mala beads
- Practicing gratitude
- Taking one day a week with nothing on my ‘to-do list’
- Listening to inspiring audiobooks
- Dancing to my favourite Spotify playlists
- Buying fresh-cut flowers for the home to have little pockets of beauty
- Spending time sitting near one of my favourite trees
- A cuppa tea
- *I recently tried paddleboarding. It was so much fun! I think it is going to be one of my new favourite ways to fill my cup