Welcome to the first issue of The Caregiver's Compass—your monthly guide to navigating the challenging, yet deeply rewarding, journey of caregiving. If you're reading this, you know that this role comes with a unique mix of joy, exhaustion, fear, depression and countless questions. Please know this: you are not alone. We created this newsletter to be a steadfast point of light for you. Inside this bi-weekly newsletter you will find resources that cover a wide range of topics that will help you simplify caregiving, direct you to vital resources, focus on self care and even give you healthy and easy to cook recipes to help you in the kitchen! Take a deep breath, grab a cup of coffee, and remember that we’re here to help you care for your loved one and for yourself.

"The Break That Isn't a Break"

Immediately after my husbands massive stroke people began telling me to take a break. Given the fact that I owned a restaurant, had a house to take care of and a husband in the NICU I assumed they were all clueless. Eventually I decided to head the advice. I would try to "take time for myself" but ended up doing chores!. Then someone bought me a gift, a candle. I made sometime at night to light the candle and just sit, next thing I know Im worried about falling asleep with a lit candle. I knew that this cannot be what they meant. The third time I tried really taking a break-- I failed again. I thought I would take a walk in the woods. Sounds great right? I spent the entire walk feeling guilty. Sound familiar? I am three and a half years out from the stroke and I would say it took me 2 years to actually learn what taking a break truly is. And guess what? Its different for everyone!! Moral of the story? Don't fall for the images you see for #self-care or #taking-a-break. This is about you and your needs in a horrible point in your life. Figure out exactly what kind of break suits you best and take it!

Self-Care as Corporate invasion

The term "self-care" didn't start as a marketing tactic. It began as a necessary political and psychological concept for those marginalized and overwhelmed by systems they couldn't control.

Today? It's been sterilized, commodified, and weaponized.

We're told to buy the candle, take the bath bomb, or join the expensive retreat. We're given a prescription for consumption when the problem is structural: lack of affordable respite, zero sick days, and a society that privatizes the cost of care.

This isn't self-care; it's a corporate invasion of your coping mechanism.

The system tells you: "Your burnout is a personal failing that requires a personal purchase to fix."

It's a deflection. It shifts the blame for systemic exhaustion squarely onto your wallet and your willingness to try harder.

Our first post dismantles this myth, offering a way to move your focus from buying your way out of burnout to advocating your way out of a broken system.

 The "No-Guilt" Block

Reclaim your time without feeling selfish.Open your calendar (even if it's paper) and block out 15 minutes this week with the label: "Do Not Interrupt (DNI) - System Review." Use it to listen to one song or just stare at a wall. This time is now non-negotiable!

Meal Ideas:

Breakfast: Pumpkin Oatmeal with Vanilla Yogurt

https://www.wellplated.com/pumpkin-oatmeal/

Lunch: Lebanese Red Lentil Soup and small salad.

https://plantbasedfolk.com/lebanese-lentil-soup/

Dinner: Mediterranean Salmon Bites with Quinoa and Swiss Chard.

https://www.themediterraneandish.com/crispy-salmon-bites-with-harissa-yogurt-sauce/

https://thewimpyvegetarian.com/easy-swiss-chard-recipe-lemony-swiss-chard-and-quinoa-saute-with-fried-capers-and-olives/

--If time permits, add a salad

--- I make extra on the Quinoa and use it for future meals. The next morning I make a quinoa breakfast porridge with walnuts, banana, cinnamon and a touch of maple syrup. 

---I use the rest of the quinoa to make a side for the next nights dinner as well such as a quinoa tabouleh salad- perhaps an entire Lebanese dinner. 

When I grocery shop I block my meals by region/theme so all the ingredients work together for the week. this reduces prep-work and waste  

"It is not how much you do, but how much love you put in the doing." - Mother Teresa

Your turn: What is the most ridiculous 'self-care' advice you've ever received? Tell us in the comments!"