You know how once you notice something it suddenly seems to pop up everywhere? That’s what’s been happening to me lately with spite self care.
Someone was tired of their spouse being unappreciative, so after yet another argument, they spent the afternoon hiking with a friend.
Someone was done making meals based on their mom’s boring food preferences after she, once again, refused to eat a meal made especially for her. They went out to lunch to have a satisfying meal for the first time in a while. They decided to make more meals they wanted to eat.
Someone was fed up with their spouse, so they decided to stop adjusting their plans based on their spouse’s mood and ability. They decided they’re going to make plans and their spouse is free to join if they wanted and felt up to it.
Here’s your reminder that you can cook what you want, do something fun, and make plans just because you’re a person. Everyone deserves joy. That’s why we do so much for other people, isn’t it?
If it’s safe for you to leave for the afternoon when you’re angry, it’s also safe to do it when you’re doing okay.
Part of why there are so many people providing unpaid care is because inaccessible and poor quality medical treatment leaves people with care needs. The New York Times recently highlighted the number of preventable amputations — something the US leads the world in. We've all seen the headlines about the unaffordable price of diabetes medication and treatment. Preventable amputations are the outcome.
Slime Mold Time Mold has some inspiration for those of us ready to really do our own research. They also explain why the government has opted not to take a simple step that would reduce the risk of Wernicke‐Korsakoff syndrome, a disease that impacts 1-2% of the US population.
Assisted dying gets a lot of negative press. This article provides a little reassurance: “in both Canada and California statistics show that, consistently over several years, more than 80 per cent of the patients who used medical aid in dying had previously been in palliative care. The average age was 76 years, and more than 60 per cent had cancer.”
“life for a human among other humans – particularly other humans you grew up with – can be IMPOSSIBLY hard, even when everyone is doing their best.”
In My Tribe asks what's really behind the shrinking number of nursing homes in the US.
What comes after an autism diagnosis?
On the difficult choices made by couples who are carriers of the gene for sickle cell
An aspect of the ‘silver tsunami’ that's been largely overlooked: how to deal with people with dementia who commit crimes
I have a few hours of free time each day in my role as full-time caregiver to my partner. I've been doing it for over 3 years. I am trying to schedule a few days away. Even though I have "free time" during the day I'm always on watch. Listening for trouble means I'm never off duty until my partner is safely asleep in bed. I'm feeling the need to getaway for a week so I can crumble and then pull myself together again - refreshed.