18. Facing and Overcoming The Worst Case Scenario in Caregiving

In This Together: Building Resilience When Caregiving for Your Partner

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As a caregiver, the worst-case scenarios can haunt you, often lurking in the back of your mind. Today, I want to share why confronting these fears head-on can actually lessen their power and help you recognize your strengths. During my husband’s cancer battle, my worst fear was losing him. This fear was a constant, shadowy presence, always threatening to overwhelm me, especially in the quiet hours of the night.

We often respond to fears in one of two ways: avoiding them or obsessing over them. Avoidance gives temporary relief but keeps the fear lurking, ready to resurface in the middle of the night. On the other hand, dwelling on fears leads to a spiral of "what ifs" that only magnifies anxiety. Neither approach helps us address the root cause of our fear.

Instead, I suggest bringing your worst-case scenario into the light. Think of it as a cluttered closet. Until you open the door and start sorting through the mess, it remains an overwhelming, undefined blob. Once you take a closer look, it becomes manageable. Similarly, by defining and examining your fears, you can start to see them clearly and find ways to cope.

Tune in and discover how to face your fears, feel more prepared, and reduce anxiety. You’re stronger than you think, and this episode will show you why.
Resources:
Facing The Worst Case Scenario When You Are Caregiving

Asking Good Questions

As a Resiliency Coach for people who are caregiving for their partner, I'm here to support YOU, the caregiver. Learn more about my work at www.coachmarika.com.

Chapter

1. Facing the Worst Case Scenario (00:00:00)

2. Facing and Overcoming Worst Fears (00:10:25)

3. Overcoming Fears With Strengths (00:20:03)