POSTS

The Caregiver is HOME ALONE

February 7, 2024February 14, 2024

HOME ALONE 2

I am home alone. What to do? What to do?

This is a relatively new experience for me as it has only happened once before. HOME ALONE with THE CAREGIVER

But this time, I have a completely different attitude. This time, I plan to simply enjoy being “Home Alone.”

I’m not expecting, encouraging, or initiating any great activities or adventures. Caregiving is adventure enough.

This time, I plan to just chill.

Chill, Relax, Rest, Withdraw, Retreat, Write, Watch, Meditate, Pray, Listen, and totally enjoy the solitude.

My first home alone activity was a self-pedicure. Well not really a complete pedicure. My Mother gets a mani-pedi regularly and therefore, my toes are professionally groomed but I had this self-pedicure idea in my head. I soaked my feet in hot water with Stress-relief body wash. The steam allowed the aroma to float up through the air. I was so relaxed that I sat there for 45 minutes. I actually sat still for 45 minutes with the smell of Eucalyptus & Spearmint with Aloe and Vitamin E calming my nerves. I didn’t go any further with the pedicure as my relaxation mission had been accomplished.

I took a long, long shower with the only thoughts in my head being which song comes next on my playlist. Yes, I was singing in the shower.

I slept 7.5 hours straight—like I used to without being awakened several times a night for my Mom’s midnight bathroom breaks.

And about the bathroom, I changed the toilet paper to my preferred brand with no fears of clogging the toilet. Afterall, unlike my Mother, I do know how to “Roll it Back!”

I ate leftover Chinese food for Breakfast and gave no thought to preparing 3 meals a day. I plan to eat what I want when I want or not at all! I can do that because I am ‘Home Alone!”

I think that this “Home Alone” experience will be more about what I don’t have to do instead of seeking activities to amuse myself.

I don’t have to wash the dishes multiple times a day, deal with Depends, Flushable Wipes or a TV that blast all night long. I don’t have to cook, clean, or empty the trash several times a day. I don’t have to think about medication, or whether or not my Mother is warm enough. I don’t have to be on high alert while she’s in the shower. I don’t have to be a Caregiver!

I can Read, Write, Watch old Movies and Dance, Dance, Dance.

I haven’t even been talking on the phone as much as I thought I would. I simply don’t want to talk. I don’t need the distraction of other people’s lives to take my mind off Caregiving and I don’t have the motivation to talk or listen to anyone else but me. I actually put my phone on “Silent” and have been ignoring phone calls. I need to recharge.

I need to restore my Energy.

I need to renew my Faith.

I need to relive Me-Time.

I need to revive my Creativity.

I need to spend quality time with Myself.

I need to become Spiritually Grounded.

I need to rebuild my Hope.

I need to re-instate my Yoga Routine.

I need to remember my Dreams.

I need to take Care of Me!

This list won’t seem appealing if you’re not a Caregiver.

People have asked, “So, you’re home alone, what are you going to do?”