About This Practice
When we feel stressed or overwhelmed it can seem as if we have no control over our situation. You may even feel like your role as a caregiver was not a choice but something that was forced on you. This practice will remind you that in any moment, no matter how challenging or how little control you may have, there are always choices we can make.
Steps
List your daily choices
Think about one day this week that felt particularly stressful or busy. Make a list of all the choices you made that day starting with the moment you chose to get out of bed. Walk through the day and list each choice that was made including the very simple ones that are habits and may not feel like choices at this point, like brushing your teeth or making your breakfast.
Dissecting your choices
Look through your list of choices and identify which ones didn’t feel like choices to you. They may be things that you do everyday or commitments that you don’t feel like you have a choice to do. Consider what would happen if you made a different choice in those instances. How does it feel to reframe responsibilities and commitments as choices you are making? Sit with any feelings that come up, they are all welcome.
Exploring different choices
Out of the choices you identified in the previous step, is there one choice that you feel resistance to? Maybe you do it but you don’t want to? Talk to your advocate about how you would feel if you could make a different choice. What would need to change for you to make a different choice?
Exploring other options
Out of your list of choices you make on a daily basis, select one that you would like to try differently this week. This can be as simple as choosing a different tea in the morning or as radical as choosing to skip a social engagement that you don’t enjoy but feel obligated to attend. Talk to your advocate about which choice you would like to try differently, why, and any additional support you may need to make a different choice this week. Each day is filled with choices, and even when little is in our control, we can still choose how we show up in the moment.