Some days it is all I can do to make it to bedtime. More often than not, that has more to do with the things I am trying to do outside of my role as CarePartner. It’s the extra things that I do for our house or for myself that add additional burdens to my day. I forget that if I already have a full load, I need to let go of something before I add something more to it. It’s common sense that a full bucket can’t hold any more water, so why do I keep trying to pour more into mine?

Which brings me to the real challenge I face, how to prioritize my day so I can get the most done and not wear myself out. If I am honest, that often means leaving out things that I want to do and just getting through what I have to do. I forget that those things I want to do are important too. The “want to do”s are where much of my self-care lives. If I am choosing between doing a load of laundry or sitting quietly in the sun for a few minutes, the laundry always wins.

I have the capacity to accomplish a lot in my days, I just need to make sure what I am doing balances those things I have to do with the things I want to do. Yes, my days can get tough but I am resourceful and resilient. If I am mindful about the things I choose to do, more will get done and I won’t exhaust myself doing them. By being intentional, I can and will make it through.