In the Comfort Zone

             So much is written about stepping outside your comfort zone, and I wanted to talk about what it feels like when you are in the comfort zone. It’s wonderful! On occasion, the stars, moon, and sun align and all the world is one. It’s a warm, friendly place filled with a sense of peace. I am in the Comfort Zone often these days, and I work hard to stay there. I don’t know if I ever felt comfort as a Caregiver. On the contrary, I found caregiving to be an uncomfortable place. Hear me out, because this isn’t a rant or about complaining, it’s about taking on more than you think you can chew, where everything is new, and its one steep learning curve, where every day feels like an uphill battle. It’s a race against the clock to juggle a million appointments, a financial fright to balance the cost of the demands, and a mental game to stay focused and pull it all together. While making my Gramps comfortable was a priority, my own comfort wasn’t even a thought.

                I have been thinking a lot about how to create a Caregiver comfort zone, and I conclude there is no one-size-fits-all solution. My retrospective study on my own thoughts at that time can conclude I would’ve done myself, and probably my grandfather, a service by having more confidence. I believe confidence is one key ingredient in this comfort cookie! I was afraid of everything. Fear was the undercurrent of all my thoughts. I remember once running out of his lunch meat and feeling like it was a sign that things were out of control, and I if I couldn’t even get that right, there was no hope. Extending that thought, it continued that if I didn’t maintain the routines, even down to lunch meat, Gramps would die as a result. Yes, I really thought if I didn’t keep everything perfect, Gramps would die and it would be my fault. Crazy and counterproductive, I know!

                So my first suggesting for getting comfortable is to have faith it will be okay. Be confident that you can handle whatever curve balls are coming –and they are coming. You can’t control everything, and most importantly, realize that you do not have to control everything! Establish routines to make your life easier. Settle in, because you will probably be a Caregiver for a long while, so you may as well get comfortable. I will repeat the mantra I have been telling you in almost every post, find ways to make yourself happy and gives you peace.

                Caregiving is a huge leap out of bounds of the comfort zone. There are many lessons to be learned whenever anyone, Caregiver or not, steps outside their comfort zone, takes a step into the unknown, and forges a new path. It will be uncomfortable, this foray into the wild. Just remember, it is in the jungle where growth occurs. You became stronger, more resilient, and as you grow more confidence, you will obtain comfort.