Take Time Out to Grow

As a caregiver, you’ve probably realized the value of routine. Building your day around a predictable pattern makes it possible to maximize your time, allowing you to fulfill your obligations to your family and employer as well as your loved one. At the same time, the old adage has it right: variety is indeed the spice of life. Your challenge: injecting just enough variety into your routine that you continue to take an interest in the world around you and to grow as a human being.

Add People to Your Schedule
There are many ways to add that touch of spice to your life. Join a group that meets regularly, like a book group. Book groups in particular are easy to find—just check with your local bookstore—and they’re always looking for new members. In addition to reading books that might have escaped your notice, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people.

If going to the theater or listening to music is your preference, sign up for a series of performances. You’ll often find that you save money on tickets—and you’ll have plenty of time to adjust your schedule so that you will have the evening free. In fact, you might want to turn your outing into an occasion, inviting your spouse or a friend and including dinner in the mix.

Another way to add variety while maintaining a routine is to sign up for a class. Community colleges and continuing education programs at larger universities are obvious sources, but you will find that a variety of institutions, from banks to gourmet restaurants, sponsor classes for the public. Being exposed to new ideas and challenging yourself to pick up new skills is always healthy.

Seek Out Variety
But if you can’t find time to insert an activity into your schedule, there are still ways to expose yourself to change. Purchase a plant, add some water and tender loving care, and watch it grow. Buy a cookbook and work through its recipes. Even adjusting your route home from work so that you can watch something being built can add interest to your life. The key to being a successful caregiver over the long term is not simply to be open to change, but to seek it out.