"The holidays stress people out so much. I suggest you keep it simple and try to have as much fun as you can."
~ Giada De Laurentiis

Hello!

In my last newsletter I wrote about the stress you might experience with the holidays ahead...

For some people they are the wonderful Hallmark kind of celebrations - or in my head it’s always the Waltons all sitting around the big table!

But for many people, it’s not at all like that. This year may be more challenging with the continued effects of the pandemic and so much more going on. if you are in this group, I hope I can offer a little support.

I shared two strategies with you: Take Time to Be Grateful and Practice Optimism. These are two of my favourites! And, the evidence is so strong that practicing them both helps us so much!!

I’ve recently been thinking of another possible area of concern or stress which has to do with our aging relatives: Covid has taken a toll on us all but, sadly, the elderly have borne the brunt in many ways. In this newsletter, my colleague and friend, Wendy Taddeucci, shares her expertise and offers support should we be ’surprised’ when we meet those elders at a family gathering.

Happy Thanksgiving to all in the US!
Hope it’s a stress free, happy zone for you!

All the best!

 
Kathleen Fanning

Questions? Concerns? Curious?
Click here to schedule a complimentary call to talk about what’s challenging you currently and gain a strategy to move forward!

The holidays are upon us.

What's happened to my mom, aunt, grandma since the pandemic?

By Wendy Taddeucci

It’s been, what, almost two years now since the pandemic started?

Have you already noticed some changes with your mom, uncle, grandparent? Things like repeating themselves, forgetting that they’ve asked you the same question 5 times, talking a lot louder than ever?

Are you freaking out? Wondering, “Oh no it’s that time. They are starting to fail and that means that I have to step in. But to what degree, what can I do, what will they allow me to do, what do I want to do?"

It is your choice.

Whew. Feel better? Not really?

Okay let’s break this down. You have a choice as to how you react to what you are noticing.

1) You can say something like, “Mom, I noticed that you put your purse in the freezer,” or something along those lines. That’s all you have to say, “I noticed” and let the conversation flow from there. Your loved one might admit that they’ve been catching themselves doing some strange stuff as well. Your loved one might deny everything. Either way, you’ve opened up that communication.

2) Your second choice, because remember I did say that you had a choice……is to ignore it and carry on as usual – until something happens.

There is no right or wrong answer here, by the way, and no judgment from me. Because I chose to ignore what I noticed with my mom until something happened. If I had it to do over again, I’d have noticed and had that conversation. And that is the reason why I’m supporting individuals who are up to their eyeballs in caring for an aging loved one, wanting to get back into being themselves. So, if I had done things differently, would I be here doing this now? Hmmm. Who knows. You can’t go back, only forward.

You may be worried that if you notice and you have that conversation, you will be ‘on the hook’ for caring for your aging loved one. Not so, and again, you have the choice. What I know is that when you ask and have those conversations, then you can be better informed to make the decision for yourself about what your role will look like. You don’t have to have it all figured out at once. One step at a time.

Are you worried about the upcoming holidays when you will see your aging loved ones in person, knowing that there may be a change in them?

Are you one of those individuals I mentioned earlier, up to your eyeballs in caring for an aging loved one, wanting to get back into being yourself?

If you are struggling with any of the above join Coach Wendy on her upcoming workshop: https://bit.ly/3F2a5EG

 In my next newsletter...

We are going to be looking at the wrap up of 2021.

I will offer some tips and resources on how to finish the year on a positive, resilient note!

Words to consider
as we look ahead to December...

Helpful Resources

Click here to find helpful resources including podcasts, articles and more!

Connect with me

To learn more, visit my website, Invest in Yourself here:
www.invest-in-yourself.ie

You can also email me directly here:
kathleen@invest-in-yourself.ie

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