6 Ways to Stop Judging Yourself as a Caregiver

You don’t deserve judgment from anyone, even yourself

Most of us have run across unpleasant know-it-alls who question your caregiving decisions or criticize things you’ve done.

That’s terrible, nobody should speak to you that way!

But what’s worse is when we speak to ourselves that way.

Many of us unfairly judge ourselves and focus on the few mistakes we’ve made rather than on all the good we’ve done.

What you’re doing deserves praise, especially from yourself.

We share 6 practical tips that stop the unfair self-judgement that happens inside your head and help retrain your thoughts so you’ll treat yourself more kindly.

6 ways to stop judging yourself as a caregiver

1. Notice when you’re speaking negatively to yourself

The first step is to notice when you’re talking to yourself negatively about caregiving.

Next time you have a negative thought, take notice and write it down.

For example, you might think “I snapped at Mom again today. I can’t even be patient for 5 minutes. I’m the worst daughter in the world.” or “Ugh! I forgot to buy more of Dad’s oatmeal. I’m so stupid!”

Even though you’re noticing when these thoughts happen, it’s important not to beat yourself up just for having them.

Too often, these thoughts automatically fly through our brains and we hardly notice how harshly we speak to ourselves.

The goal of this exercise is to help you realize that you’re doing it.

 

2. Distract yourself from negative thoughts

After you’ve been noticing your self-criticism for a little while, it’ll get easier to recognize when you’re being too hard on yourself.

Then, when you realize it’s happening, stop and take a few deep breaths.

Redirect your thoughts by thinking about something positive, finding something to praise yourself about, or listing a few things you’re grateful for.

 

3. Avoid comparing yourself with others

Comparing yourself to other people only makes you feel bad.

On top of that, you’re usually comparing your worst moments with their best moments – the ones they openly share with others.

Instead, focus on what you’re doing right.

Maybe you found an amazing in-home caregiver who takes great care of your mom. Or, you’ve made sure that your husband is getting excellent care in a wonderful memory care community.

Keep in mind that everyone makes different choices based on their own unique circumstances. This doesn’t make one caregiving decision better than another.

No matter what choices other people make, it’s best to focus on doing the things that work best for your older adult and yourself.

4. Look at the big picture

So what if the house is messy? Who cares if Mom wears PJs all day when she’s at home? 

Does beating yourself up about these details help the situation? Do these things really matter?

Instead of automatically criticizing yourself for not living up to some societal ideal, think about what you truly value.

The house might not be spotless, but maybe it’s because you choose to spend quality time chatting and listening to music with Dad to keep him engaged in life and boost his mood.

Or maybe it’s worth it to pick your battles with your older adult who has dementia and keep things peaceful whenever possible – by letting the unimportant things go (assuming the situation is not dangerous).

 

5. Talk to others in similar situations

Sometimes hearing from others gives you a new perspective. 

Caregiver support groups are a great place to hear stories from other people in similar situations. 

You’ll learn about their experiences, the questions on their mind, and their failures. 

Talking with and getting advice from fellow caregivers helps you realize that you’re not alone in this, everyone is doing their best under difficult circumstances, and there’s no such thing as one right way.

 

6. Keep a success journal

Recognizing your successes also helps you overcome negative thoughts.

Every day, take a little time to jot down the things you did well. Seeing your wins on paper is proof that you’re successful a lot more often than you might think.

 

Recommended for you:

• Caregiver Emotions: 2 Tips for Managing Tough Feelings
• Caregiver Guilt: Two Common Myths Increase Stress
• 6 Ways to Make It Easier for Caregivers to Take a Break

 

By DailyCaring Editorial Team

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