When the caregiving is over. Now what?

Of course you're not going to have any interests at the moment. You're grieving, rewinding the tape of your existence time and again, and trying to figure out in which direction you're headed. The past is still your present, and there's a lot of reflecting to do. In a nutshell, you're healing.

Reclaiming or resurrecting the life you had before caregiving isn't an option because you're a much different, smarter, and stronger person. Caregiving changed you and there's no way back.

It's not easy to transition from years of devoted loving service to a life with plenty of freedom to re-invent oneself at leisure and, maybe for the first time, be Lord and master of your own destiny. It's even harder for those whose identity, self-esteem, self-respect, and self-worth has been wrapped around the needs of someone else.

Once you figure out who you are everything else should begin to fall into place.

My caregiving came to a close four months ago, but not with my mom passing, sis poa decided to move her to a memory care facility because she thought it would be cheaper than the about 5k mom was spending at home each month. Sis has had one heck of a surprise! I was then locked out of mom's house and am staying at a neighbor's house until I can move back to my home or find work.

The loss is at times overwhelming and I am most worried about mom. I provided her 24/7 care for four years and it is absolutely consuming. I am looking for work hopefully something will pan out soon. If not, I will sell my home for cash to live on until I find work.

My golden retreiver and neighbors and friends here have been my saving grace. It is just such an empty feeling that will take time to get me back together. It is a drastic change that regardless of the situation is difficult.

Msdaisy, i kniw what you mean in some aspects. I sometimes get jesloys of people like you who have no caregiving responsibilities anymore, awful to say but i am on 8 years here! I dlso get upset when people complain about caregiving and their oarent doesnt live with them like me. They can walk out the door, if you know what i mean.my mom cdnt talk or walk or see, it bothers me to hear when others can. Its normal, we dll have different levels of care and need support. I look forward to a life after caregiving!

I'm sure it's absolutely normal. When we 'lose' something that's been our base of existence and our focus for so long, it seems inevitable.

Unless you've been dreaming of doing something.

I've been making plans. I have a vision in my head of what I'm going to do after my caregiving days are over. The ones for my dad are done, except for all the final arrangements and closing all the legal/financial books, but I still caregive for my Edna fulltime. She's 92, now, and we have no idea how much longer she's likely to last. Could be days, weeks, years. If it's closer to years, I may have to reconsider my ability to keep up with the work. My body is craving different, less stressful work.

During your most stressed out moments, what did you wish you might be doing instead? Relaxing on a beach? Sitting in a classroom full of kids? Making crafts? Reading? Decorating a house? I'd imagine there was *somewhere* you'd like to be. Maybe you can build on that.

Good luck, and do let us know how it goes, ok?
LadeeC

My mother passed three months ago. I kind of crashed, too. I started having panic attacks just taking a ride in the car with my husband. Those only happen when I am under undue stress. I did a lot of research and realized I was second-guessing myself and feeling guilty. I refused to go back on Lexapro, and followed the advice the doctor's nurse gave me the first time. Do something you like. I bought some adult coloring books, markers, and just started coloring mindlessly. Whenever I sat around, I was coloring complicated graphic designs. Some ended in the trash, others are in a notebook. A week ago, I finally felt the cloud lift, and I have energy again. I am working on my miniature scenes again, and just having fun.

I will always miss my mother, but I realized I did the best I could for her for 28 years. In the early years, she helped me by watching my girls while I worked full time and went to school at night. In the later years, our roles reversed. I will always miss her!

Just be patient with yourself, and find something that you enjoy doing. Even if it is just coloring.

msdaisy, this is hard and you may just need time - but if no spark of life or hint of joy or peace comes back, in weeks or months, it may be more than just grief, so do not hesitate to go get help with it.

No msdaisy, you are not the only one feeling like you are. I certainly am and I think a few others on this site are as well.

I will elaborate more but my soup is almost done and I have to take the dogs out before it gets too dark.

something that crossed through my head today though was this.

It is what it is until it isn't, then you just hope you find what it was again.

Hun, I know your struggles.

Sorry for your loss...

Ha! Thank you msdaisy!! Not sure how brilliant they are but I have realized how powerful and substantial they are.

Once upon a time I started the thread "My Whine Moment, What's Yours"? Back then, even though I loved my mother so much, I had to whine about things... it is so hard caring like we do, we are human and have to whine, right? So, with that said. It Is What It Is. Well, now it Isn't, and I will never have "what it is" again.

My dogs have been a huge comfort to me. They are the reasons I get up and go about my day anymore. Since I got my new puppy, Baby G.G. who is just 11 weeks, 2 days and 20 lbs, I've been feeling so much more energy, more happiness and most def more smiles.

Like you I went on the "get it done" marathon. Then went on a "house improvement" marathon. Crashed big time a month ago and decided that "it is what it is".

You and me both have no clue what it is we want it seems. As with all things I guess it's just a matter of time, so they say. Keeping busy is always a great thing.

At 51, I am not ready to give up yet.

Hugs!!

msdaisey, they are all right! All of the above posters, I too have been right where you are now, I have lost 3of our parents, and all in a 14 months span of time, 11 years ago, and the grief is powerful and overwhelming, but eventually you do get through to the other side, and for everyone it is difficult and different. My suggestion to you is to find your happiness in something that you like or reconnect with friends and family, keep your job, if only to keep busy, and if money isn't an issue, plan a fun Holliday away, and do it! Like others have said, find a new purpose, and otherwise it is all about the time. Remember the good times, and also that your Mom wants you to be
happy, and to go ahead with your own life! You mentioned kids, are there Grandchildren in your life? Here is nothing like a baby or young kids to motivate, but I don't suggest that you get into caregiving again, whether it is for an elder, nor a child, it's time to reinvent your own lifenow, and you will with t7me! Good luck, and God bless!

Nanascola I can definitely relate to the panic attacks as I suffered with horrible anxiety all summer. Thankfully I think the worst is over as I haven't had any of the anxiety or panic attack a for a few weeks now. I too refused to go to a dr and get pills. Your body goes through so much when you grieve it's not only about the crying. In my case I think I was tuning a lot of the Grief out by distracting myself and it was coming back out in the form of anxiety. Now I'm just sad all the time guess that's normal