Introduction Caring for someone is one of the most difficult responsibilities a person can take on. Much is expected from you, including the ability to play multiple roles: parent, nurse, counsellor, provider, and helper. You are expected to play these roles all the time. And you are expected to sacrifice yourself and everything you have— your time, your hobbies, your own family, your dreams, and your happiness—for someone else. What makes it harder is the fact that most of the time, caregiving is not something we can prepare or plan for. It can be a shock to discover just how stressful, exhausting, and frustrating it gets. As you spend most of your days giving—and never receiving—you may find yourself exhausted physically, mentally, and emotionally. Worse, you may feel trapped in the role, knowing that you cannot leave until the person you are caring for is completely healed or has passed on. This can fill you with resentment, especially when others don’t seem willing to sacrifice their time—but expect you to give up yours. No one seems to understand that you, the caregiver, can suffer as much as the person you’re caring for. Yet, deep inside, you might want to do it differently. Many caregivers, while knowing they cannot drop their responsibilities, seek to “zoom out” of their situation. Amid the daily grind, they ask: Where can I find more strength? How can I continue to have compassion and patience when I’m feeling so drained? Is there any other way of looking at my role as a caregiver?
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