How Do You Handle Loneliness While Caregiving?
Hi everyone,
I hope you're all doing well today. I wanted to open up about something I don’t hear talked about often in caregiving spaces—loneliness.
Lately, I’ve found myself feeling more isolated, even though my days are constantly full. Between helping my mom with her daily needs, managing the house, and juggling errands, I sometimes realize I haven’t had a real conversation with a friend in days—sometimes even weeks. And when the quiet moments come, they feel… really quiet.
It’s not that I’m not grateful for this time with her. I love her dearly. But it can be emotionally heavy when you’re giving so much of yourself every day and you start to feel a little invisible in the process.
I’ve tried small things to stay connected—like calling a cousin during laundry or listening to uplifting podcasts while cooking—but some days, it still feels like I’m going through it alone. I’m wondering if any of you have felt the same way?
Have you found ways to deal with the loneliness that sometimes comes with caregiving?
Do you carve out time for yourself or connect with others in ways that help?
What’s something small that’s made a big difference for your emotional well-being?
I’d really love to hear your thoughts and experiences. I think this is something many of us quietly carry, and maybe just talking about it can help a little.
With warmth,
Catherine