But what if that positive intention is I am positive things are going to go wrong? Or I am positive that I am too tired to face this today? Or I am positive I need a break/nap/day off? We all get there. It may be exhaustion, frustration, or simply emotional distress but I find there are days when I just want to hide in my room and pretend that Parkinson’s Disease doesn’t exist. (I’m sure my husband feels the same way at times.) In reality, I can usually escape for about 20 minutes before something comes up.

Which brings me back to my original thought, start each day with a positive intention. This concept is what inspired me to start writing in the first place. Originally the plan was to sit down and write one positive sentence each morning. My hope was to begin my day off with the right mindset. It was a somewhat Pollyanna vision of being a CarePartner, the fact that I could create a positive word cloud around myself that would get me through the toughest situations. It was like an ever-changing mantra redefined daily to help me survive. I quickly learned that one sentence was not enough, and this blog was born to take a deeper look at my role as CarePartner.

I know that having a brief moment of clarity before I start my day may not solve all of the challenges I will face, but it also doesn’t hurt. Being a CarePartner can be difficult and negative at times but it can also be very rewarding. When the negative feelings strike, I need to step back and find my positive space even if it means letting those bad feelings come out and then putting them aside. Yes, there will be days when my outlook is anything but bright. On those days, my positive intention might be simply to remind myself that I made it through yesterday and I am strong enough to make it through today. Then, I will find my private place and hide out for just a few minutes. Those mini-breaks really can do wonders.