π±πππ When everything is urgent how do you know what's urgent?
Right now turning off notifications on your smartphone is trending. Weβre all sick of distractions.
What about distractions that happen in person?
How many demands could wait until later -- or the person asking could probably do on their own?
It can feel a little mean to set boundaries on interruptions, to say no to someone. Little kids get upset when their parents tell them to wait or to do something for themselves. But that doesnβt mean it is mean, adjusting to new boundaries can be a little rough sometimes.
Are you overwhelmed by distractions? Are they necessary? Is disabling notifications an option?
Even once you've minimized distractions, they'll keep coming back. The other day some apps on my phone updated and it went from waiting for me to check for messages to a pinging, dinging machine. It took a minute to get them all silenced again, but it was worth it!
People need regular adjustments, too, to remember that not everything is urgent.
PS. Have you heard of the Kathy Koll Foundation? They provide financial support for family caregivers.