The Melting Pot Coaching

The Challenges & Misconceptions of Compassion Fatigue & Ways to Care for Yourself Hi again, Y'all.  You don't know this about me, but my mother has been diligently caring for my grandmother in her later years. And long before that, my grandmother had cared for her mother when she got older as well, providing what she could, because that's just what you did.  It was like a quiet, unspoken matriarchal tradition we've never really questioned. Being someone's caregiver, their sole caregiver that is, comes with alot of responsibility and is a huge weight to carry, often leading to burnout and compassion fatigue. Because of years of experience working with continuing care/long-term care clients and my close proximity to family caregivers, I'm aware of this.  But let's talk about just how challenging this selfless responsibility really is. "Why isn't anybody really discussing the anxiety, stress, guilt, grief, and everything that underlies caregiv...

You Are Not Alone Hey Y'all.  Happy December and Happy Holidays to those that celebrate them! Moving on from Thanksgiving to now, the winter holidays are often portrayed as cheerful times with twinkling lights, joyful gatherings, and warm memories. But for many, December carries a different vibe... of loneliness and maybe even grief and struggle.  I know I mentioned this last year during the holidays, but while others celebrate, some are simply trying to make it through the day. And if that’s you, or someone you know or love, please know this: you are not alone, and your feelings are valid. I get it! The holidays can feel so very isolating sometimes. Thoughts like “Nothing matters”  can bombard our minds, rattling our sense of peace. According to the CDC and NIMH, nearly 46,000 lives were lost to suicide in the U.S. in 2020.  Behind each of those numbers was someone with a story, a heart, a life that mattered deeply. The good news is that suicidal thoughts are trea...

When Home Is Left Behind Hey, Hey Everyone, A few years ago my family made the tough but necessary decision to move my grandmoma from her beloved home to a senior community where she could receive round-the-clock care. I helped with the researching and narrowing down of appropriate options for her, and I'm happy to report that my grandmoma is doing quite well: getting the socialization and medical attention she needs.  And although there definitely was a learning curve in the beginning, we all eventually adjusted and she's thriving, y'all.  If you’ve ever experienced this-- moving a parent or loved one from their home into an assisted living or nursing home, you know what I'm talking about when I say it’s a deep emotional shift that touches everyone involved. Working in the wellness field (primarily with seniors), and supporting families through transitions like this leaves me privy to seeing the emotional toll big moves like this can have, particularly to the ones giv...