Before I can advocate for myself though, I need to be open to my own needs. I need to listen to my body when it tells me that I’m hungry or tired and respect those feelings. If I am under the weather, I need to own it and let my husband know that I am not going to be functioning at 100%. By sharing my feelings, I can let him know what I am able to offer on those low days and I can take care of myself while still being here for him.

My needs are not just physical, they are also emotional and involve my mental well-being. If I am feeling down, depressed or anxious, I need to recognize those feelings and seek help. It may be as simple as making a call or sending an email to my support network or I may need a professional intervention. Whatever it is, I need to be open and accept that I have needs so I can get them filled.

I am a CarePartner, not a saint. I am not invulnerable, there are times when I am not going to be at my best and that is okay. If I remember to be open and honest with myself, I can advocate for what I need to make it through each day. And finally, I need to accept that there will be days when making it through is the best I can hope for.