Hi, I’m Rebecca and this is my life of care.

How it all started

This Life of Care

At some time in each of our lives, we will be thrown a challenge that stops us in our tracks. What that challenge is and how we respond will be very different for every one of us. It may change our lives beyond recognition. Some of these things are welcome whilst others most certainly are not.

How do you handle those challenges when they come along? Where do you turn to make sense of what is happening?

My personal challenge was learning to become a carer for my Dad, managing my career, and other relationships, finances and health. Maintaining any kind of social life was impossible. My head was crowded with so many competing priorities. I went from being happy, competent, professional, independent and friendly, to being short tempered, constantly worried, always tired, and more and more introverted. I didn’t recognise myself.

My father was eventually diagnosed with young-onset dementia. Together, he and I, are learning how to find a new pleasure in our days out. We go everywhere at a much slower pace, amused at the world rushing past us, whilst we meander along. He is living life at his own speed and I am learning to use this pace to savour everything there is to see and do around us. Well, mostly. It’s often frustrating and irritating. Like I said, I am learning! This may appear to be an easy way of living. It isn’t - I just choose to try and look at life through a positive lens. It’s a personal challenge!

I struggled, as many do, to get the support needed for Dad and my own needs went completely ignored. I looked to social media for reassurance and inspiration and, although to begin with found it very lacking and depressing, I eventually found others in the same situation. However, as with many people, it took me a long time to realise that I was a carer, and quite frankly was shocked when it finally dawned on me. I was compelled to start my blog This Life of Care to share my own experience and hopefully help others.

To their credit, my employer at the time (an international law firm where I worked leading their UK regional marketing teams) was supportive and understanding. I was incredibly lucky. Others are not so fortunate and do not receive support from employers. I was introduced to a Carers Network that met regularly and I was invited to join. It changed my life. It helped me understand what being a carer meant, what was ahead of me, and how, no matter who the loved one we cared for is, or our relationship with them, we all shared similar experiences. Eventually, I became chair of the Carers Network and grew it to be an international, award-winning initiative that is still running today.

I have now taken this experience and offer coaching to help others who are stuck in whatever life experience that happens to be, carer or not. Working in professional services, I understand the pressures and competing demands of career, having a family and your own wants and desires. Being a carer, I understand and empathise when situations feel out of your control.

Through coaching, I will help guide you to unlock the answers which, right now, feel out of your grasp. By the end of our working together you will feel lighter, focussed and motivated, at least, that’s what my other clients have said! To find out more visit my “You” page. You deserve this time, to be listened to and the care you show others.

Thanks for visiting This Life of Care, I look forward to talking with you soon.

Rebecca