Time for all of us is precious. I don’t think I’m the only one who gets to the end of the week totally spent and drained. As caregivers, we invest so much time in our patients we get especially burned out.
My week has a certain comfortable rhythm; church responsibilities with choir and youth, teaching music, caregiving, accompanying, directing Mountain Voices Community Choir, eating, and sleeping. Additional opportunities arise occasionally – especially during literary and choir evaluation seasons at the high school level. It’s a delicate balancing act to add anything to an already full calendar.
I try to write a journal and read. I’ll go fishing as often as time and the weather permits. Unfortunately, respite and time away from responsibilities is rare.
Our pastor spoke of the 10 commandments a few weeks ago, focusing on “keeping the Sabbath holy.” It wasn’t so much of keeping a particular day or time without work, but just making blank spaces on our calendars where God could meet us. That’s a difficult thing for me. Even on my days off, I am planning for one group or another – concerts, programs, recitals, Easter and Holy Week. There’s always a long list for me to do and precious little time to do it.
Do you find yourself struggling as I do? In the working world, I hear a lot about “work/life balance.” I wonder how other people seem to manage much more than I do. I don’t feel balanced, do you?
If you are currently a caregiver or have been a caregiver, you know exactly where I’m living: precariously balanced on the edge of burnout. Most days, only prayer, coffee, and chocolate get me through the day.
I feel like we caregivers need a support group, but who can add something to an already crazy schedule? Many are managing a family on top of all their other caregiving responsibilities.
Maybe we can meet here. Let me know who you are and how you are. You can reach me at donna@nowhabersham. Let’s find the time to share with one another and hold each other up.
