23-06-2015 07:56 PM
23-06-2015 07:56 PM
I think when we're talking about carer's happiness it always worth thinking about the carer's recovery. It's a process we need to go through too.
23-06-2015 07:58 PM
23-06-2015 07:58 PM
Welcome to the conversation @3forme! So happy that you could make it.
'Carers recovery' is not something that I've heard of before. Can you tell us a bit more about it?
23-06-2015 07:58 PM
23-06-2015 07:58 PM
23-06-2015 07:59 PM
23-06-2015 07:59 PM
23-06-2015 08:03 PM
23-06-2015 08:03 PM
We talk a lot about recovery for our loved ones, but not so much for us. I always assumed that when my daughter showed signs of recovery, I would be happy again and all would return to normal. Not so! As carers we carry own own trauma and I think we need to deal with that to find our own happiness again.
There are lots of things we can do on the way to our recovery though.
23-06-2015 08:04 PM
23-06-2015 08:04 PM
23-06-2015 08:07 PM
23-06-2015 08:07 PM
We've got a few levels of thought on happiness going on. Maybe a broad agreement about the happiness habits - those daily choices and activities. I could be imagining that though
But also an understanding that much deeper issues impact on our ability to be happy. If we aren't happy in our own skin, and in the way we are living, than it's harder to relax and enjoy the good times when they come.
And then a strong understanding that the reality of the caring role - the emotional and physical drain that it can sometimes be - is another undeniable factor.
It's complex. And maybe that's why we tend to get 'snippets' as RJB said at the beginning.
23-06-2015 08:09 PM - edited 23-06-2015 08:10 PM
23-06-2015 08:09 PM - edited 23-06-2015 08:10 PM
23-06-2015 08:10 PM
23-06-2015 08:10 PM
23-06-2015 08:11 PM
23-06-2015 08:11 PM
Carer's recovery ... sounds good.
re values being in line etc as Cherry bomb asked, and linking in my perspective on the process of defining my values... and reinforcing Suzzane's comments about age and singing on the bike....
Well, I do believe the BPD world is a tad interesting. As a carer, I believe we question our role in the disorder very much. In fact mother blame is still a part of the stigma in BPD world. Living with BPD in the house is enough to have everyone emotionally dysregulated, carers are only human. So, when a carer solidly begins their journey of discovery, they look closely to see where they are in relation to BPD themselves.
A wonderful Spanish proverb I learn was: if you sleep with dogs, expect to wake up with fleas. This is not meant in any disparaging way at all, but carers need to find those fleas. They need to investigate their behaviours, to question who they are.
The upshot hopefully results in a changed person... we carers of people with BPD expect our loved ones with BPD to go through a change in their thinking. We need to rewire our ways of thinking to.
So, Cherrybomb, my values are the same, but my understanding of what they are has been enriched through learning techniques such as validation, boundary setting, radical acceptance, letting go of ego, and of course, mindfulness and compassion. So, my previous core value of respect is the same, but what I understand by respect has changed. How I practice respect has changed. My self respect has properly begun.
that was my 'recovery' and thank goodness I am older, I feel the experience of the years has helped me with this.
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