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“Daring to set boundaries is about having the courage to love ourselves, even when we risk disappointing others.” — Brené Brown

As I prepare to pass the leadership of Courage to Caregivers to Angel, I’ve been thinking about what it really means to empower someone else to lead. I’m discovering that it isn’t simply handing over responsibilities. It’s also making room for a new leader to find her own voice—even when that voice might say, “I think we should do this differently.”

That may sound obvious. In practice, it’s harder.

“Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out.” — Robert Collier

We can put enormous pressure on ourselves to get it right—to make the right decision, find the right resource, say the right thing, anticipate the next crisis, and somehow keep everything else moving, too. But perfection is an impossible standard, especially when so much of caregiving is outside our control.

Progress asks something different of us.

It asks: What can I do today? What have I learned? What's the next small step?

“You never know how strong you are, until being strong is your only choice.” — Bob Marley

When I founded Courage to Caregivers ten years ago, I’m not sure I would have described myself as “strong.” I was a caregiver who had experienced firsthand how hard caring for someone you love can be—and I saw a problem I wanted to solve. What I brought to that problem were the strengths that came most naturally to me: kindness, compassion, caring, active listening, and problem-solving. Those strengths became woven into the roots of Courage to Caregivers. We listen. We care. We meet caregivers where they are. And we help them find a way forward.

"The only real mistake is the one from which we learn nothing." ~ Henry Ford

When I founded Courage to Caregivers nearly ten years ago, I knew one thing with absolute certainty: caregivers needed care, too.

“You never know how strong you are until being strong is the only choice you have.” ~ Bob Marley 

Tenacity is how we persist even as we face challenges. We can't always control what obstacles we encounter. As family caregivers, we sometimes understand this all too well. While we aren't always as prepared as we would like for the hurdles that come our way, we can choose how we react.

We are tenacious when we choose to keep growing and learning in small and big ways, when we recognize the pain that exists while also acknowledging the opportunities that persist around us, and when we channel our energy into coping mechanisms that give us the space we need to move forward. 

Tenacity is not always the big, dramatic actions we see on screen and on page. It can be the little things we do each day to keep going through tumultuous times. You got this. We are here for you. 💙

3 TOOLS TO DEVELOP TENACITY

1. Embrace Adaptability and Flexibility - Change is a constant in life and while that may on the surface seem to contrast with tenacity, by embracing adaptability and flexibility, we can better navigate the challenges we encounter and find the creativity needed to keep moving forward.

2. Find Your Support Network - While sometimes we need independence to persist, at other times, a little help and encouragement from others may be what we need to keep going. Whether your support network is just a couple people or a large group, having others you can count on can give you the boost you need.

3. Cultivate a Positive Mindset - As we discussed this month, it's possible to be realistic and optimistic. By recognizing the negative aspects of life without becoming consumed by them, we can more accurately tackle the hurdles we face and move forward.

Check out the entire September 2026 Newsletter focused on Tenacity here.

"You don't have to control your thoughts. You just have to stop letting them control you."

— Dan Millman

A few weeks ago, we talked about managing stress and shared healthy strategies for navigating the stress of caregiving. So, this week's topic—coping mechanisms—might sound like more of the same. Yet, there's an important distinction.

We recognized early on at Courage to Caregivers that while we'd love to say we reduce the stress of caring for someone you love, that's not really what we do. To remove the stress, we'd have to provide the transportation, schedule the appointments, manage the medications, navigate the hard conversations, make the meals, clean the house—you get it.

We can't remove the stress of caregiving. But we can help you become better equipped to cope with and manage the stress.

“Keep your feet on the ground, and keep reaching for the stars.” - Casey Kasem

I LOVE thinking about optimism through the lens of being realistic. I may have been accused a time or two of being overly optimistic—and to me, that sounds like unrealistic optimism.

Because caregiving can make optimism HARD.

"Success is the sum of small efforts, repeated day in and day out." — Robert Collier

Do you have a “favorite” word? One of mine just happens to be this month’s theme: tenacity—the determination to hold on to what matters, adapt when things get difficult, and keep moving forward, even when progress is slow or the path changes.

“Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.” - Janna Cachola 

For family caregivers, advocacy is deeply intertwined with our lives whether we name it as such or not. The Missouri Foundation for Health defines advocacy as “any action that speaks in favor of, recommends, argues for a cause, supports or defends, or pleads on behalf of others.” Whether we are listening to our loved ones' needs, speaking up during appointments, or forming our support networks, we are engaging in advocacy.

There are numerous ways we can be advocates not just for loved ones, but also for ourselves and others in our communities. The West Virginia University Health Science Center defines three different types of advocacy: self-advocacy, individual advocacy, and systems advocacy.

• Self-advocacy relates to how we are able to communicate our own needs and defend our rights. We engage in self-advocacy when we understand our own needs, believe in ourselves, and communicate effectively with others.

• Individual advocacy refers to when one or several people work together to protect the rights of another person. We become individual advocates when we nurture our support networks and speak up on behalf of our loved ones.

• Systems advocacy focuses on changing institutional policies, laws, and rules in order to protect groups of people. When we share our stories, join campaigns, and volunteer with dedicated advocacy groups, we are participating in systems advocacy.

As we head into September, we urge you to reflect on how you are and can be an advocate. Like Janna Cachola emphasizes, “Advocacy is empathy, compassion and community at work.” How will your empathy allow you to find connection and stand up for your loved ones and community today?

Check out the entire August 2026 Newsletter focused on Advocacy here.

"Seek first to understand, then to be understood." — Stephen R. Covey

Advocacy begins with communication, and communication begins with listening. By truly listening, we can better understand another person's perspective, experiences, and needs. Once we gain this understanding, we can build trust, strengthen relationships, and create opportunities for collaboration instead of conflict.

"It's not the load that breaks you down; it's the way you carry it." — Lou Holtz

Caregiving is inherently stressful. Most unpaid family caregivers cannot simply eliminate the responsibilities they carry. We don't get to choose whether a loved one has a mental illness, developmental disability, chronic illness, or substance use disorder. What we can influence is how we care for ourselves while carrying those responsibilities.

"We are not meant to do life alone." — Brené Brown

Caregiving was never meant to be a solo journey. By staying connected to a support network, we are better equipped to care for those we love.

Creating a support network isn't a sign that we're struggling. It's one of the most powerful ways we protect our own health and well-being. Along the behavioral health continuum, connection serves as a protective factor that can reduce stress, strengthen resilience, and help prevent isolation, compassion fatigue, and burnout before they become overwhelming.

"Within you, there is a stillness and a sanctuary to which you can retreat at any time and be yourself."

— Hermann Hesse

Caregiving will always include challenges, uncertainty, and responsibilities that we cannot control. But we can find small pockets of peace that help us recharge and reconnect with ourselves when we create our own personal sanctuary.

“Take care of your body. It's the only place you have to live." — Jim Rohn

This week, we have a challenge for you: Move your body for just five minutes each day. Notice how you feel before and after. Pay attention to your energy, mood, stress level, and sense of well-being.

When we move our bodies, we support both our physical and emotional well-being. Movement can reduce stress, improve mood, increase energy, support better sleep, and help protect against burnout. Yet sometimes the hardest part is finding the courage to begin, especially when we're tired, overwhelmed, or convinced we don't have time.

"Sleep is an investment in the energy you need to be effective tomorrow." — Tom Roth

As caregivers, we invest so much of ourselves into the people we love. So much so that sleep is often one of the first things we sacrifice. We stay up worrying, responding to needs, managing responsibilities, or simply trying to find a few quiet moments for ourselves.

"No matter your features
We're all the same tender loving creatures
Taking steps upon the earth
Don't need anyone to tell you what you're worth"

-"Power," MILCK

At Courage to Caregivers, we view EMPOWERMENT as vital to our roles as family caregivers. Empowerment, put simply, is the state of being able to take charge of our own lives. Through empowerment, we are able to embrace the courage we need to think creatively, ask for help when we need it, and take advantage of our strengths and skillsets as caregivers.

We find empowerment through reflecting on who we are as people and how we want to learn and develop. From there, we can recognize how capable we already are, and how we can keep growing. Empowerment doesn't mean we have to struggle alone. Instead, it's about recognizing and embracing our ability to make change in our own lives. As singer-songwriter MILCK says in her anthem "Power," you "don't need anyone to tell you what you're worth."

3 TOOLS FOR BECOMING EMPOWERED

1. Shift your mindset - Empowerment is all about taking control of your own life, and this includes your mindset. As we discussed in May when we covered growth mindset, we have the ability to shift our thinking away from "I can't" to "I can learn."

2. Reflect on your values and goals- In order to know what you need, it's vital to take a moment to reflect on what you care about and how that relates to what you would like to become. What strengths do you have? Where would you like to grow?

3. Find your community- Caregiving can feel incredibly isolating at times. That's why finding a caring community that can support and cheer you on can be instrumental in lifting you up and empowering you to be your best self.

Check out the complete June 2026 Newsletter focused on Empowerment here.

“One of the greatest regrets in life is being what others would want you to be, rather than being yourself.” — Shannon L. Alder

Establishing healthy boundaries is important, but caregiving is rarely that simple. When someone we love is struggling, our instinct is to help. We want to ease their suffering, prevent mistakes, and make things better. Yet, by helping, we might also be enabling—unintentionally getting in the way of someone else's growth, independence, or ability to solve problems. The challenge isn't choosing between caring and setting boundaries. It's learning how to do both in a way that protects our well-being while supporting our loved one’s growth and independence. 

“Caring for myself is not self-indulgence, it is self-preservation.” ~ Audre Lorde

What comes to mind when we talk about “holding space” for ourselves?

For me, it starts with MAKING space. It means recognizing that my capacity is finite, and it’s important to intentionally set aside some of it to care for my own needs. At this stage of my life, I’m focusing on the basics: healthy nutrition and hydration, regular movement, and making sleep a priority. These are not luxuries—they are the foundation that helps me continue showing up for the people and causes I care about.

I think of my time, energy, and attention as finite resources. There are only so many hours in a day and only so much of me to give. Yet so much of who I am is infinite. My ability to learn, grow, adapt, cope, love, and hold hope has no fixed limit. Holding space for myself means honoring both realities—respecting the finite resources I have today while nurturing the infinite possibilities within me. When I do that, I am not taking away from others; I am strengthening my ability to continue the journey with resilience, purpose, and hope.

“You can’t use up creativity. The more you use, the more you have.” — Maya Angelou

Sometimes, we can make the best progress by returning to what worked in the past. I’ve been facing my own challenges of caregiver burden recently and working very intentionally on managing my stress to better regulate my parasympathetic nervous system which has been working on overdrive lately. I’ve been returning to many practices I’ve used in the past to find the ones that work best and “stick”. A trusted friend and former colleague reminded me about the practice of “tapping” or Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT).

Tapping can strengthen our protective factors such as emotional awareness, coping skills, emotional self-regulation, and hope. Tapping has been found to reduce stress and regulate our nervous system, improve our self-compassion, reduce anxiety or racing thoughts, reduce burnout and ultimately lead to building our resiliency. It can also open the mind and body to new ways of looking at creativity.

When was the last time you tried something new? Were you scared? Were you excited? What pushed you to take that step forward? Taking that first step forward can be terrifying. We worry about what will happen if we mess up. We agonize over the impacts our actions can have on our loved ones. Sometimes it can feel safer staying to what we know rather than risking the chance of failing and having to face our guilt and shame.

A GROWTH MINDSET reminds us that learning is not finite. There are always ways for us to grow from our mistakes and find new ways forward. Just because we messed up today does not mean that we will fail forever. We are worthy of the same love and compassion we give to others.

3 TOOLS TO FOSTER A GROWTH MINDSET:

1. Believe inYourself - You can't start learning if you don't believe in your capability to change and grow. How do you talk to yourself in your mind? Trade demeaning self-talk for self-compassionate words.

2. Making Mistakes Is Part of the Process - It's hard to learn if you are not willing to make the mistakes that teach you how you can grow. Mistakes can be lessons, and they do not have to define you.

3. Be a Life-Long Learner - What piques your curiosity? Even everyday things like wondering how you can change your morning routine can lead to self-growth. Take the time to find what you are passionate about, and learn!

Check out the complete May 2026 Newsletter focused on Growth Mindset here!

“It does not matter how slowly you go as long as you do not stop.” — Confucius

When was the last time you started something, then someone needed something from you, and you didn’t get to finish that first “something”? This happens to me ALL the time. Honestly, part of it is that my home office doesn’t have a door. The other part is that I’m very distractible. My brain goes a million miles a minute, and I’m juggling a lot of balls.

“Shame corrodes the very part of us that believes we are capable of change.” ~ Brené Brown

If there’s anything I know about guilt and shame, it’s that they thrive in the darkness. Digging deep into those dark recesses is hard to do. But when you’re ready, you can bring these thoughts out into the sunshine where shame can’t live.

“Polarized thinking traps us in trade-offs, while both/and thinking helps us find more creative and sustainable ways forward.” ~ Wendy Smith and Marianne Lewis, Both/And Thinking

Unpaid family caregiving rarely fits into simple either/or categories. But sometimes we can become stuck in polarized thinking — believing we must choose between caring for others or caring for ourselves, being hopeful or being realistic, feeling grateful or feeling overwhelmed — which can increase stress, guilt, and emotional exhaustion.

“Curiosity creates possibilities and possibilities create hope.” ~ Unknown

You know me to often write from my own lived experience in bringing a weekly topic to life, and that’s the case this week for the topic of staying curious. This is hard to share, but our 91-year-old mom has a new diagnosis of dementia. Looking back, it came on slowly, as these things often do, yet a recent infection aggravated it significantly. Adding this to my PhD in lived experience, I have a newfound appreciation for dementia caregivers.

"Common humanity focuses beyond our relationship with ourselves to our relationships with others and the world. It's about realizing how much we share as fellow humans. If we broaden our compassion for others, we can extend that compassion to include ourselves." - Jennifer Gerlach, LCSW 

What do you believe you have in common with the person sitting closest to you? What about the people down the street? The people in the next city/town over? What about those on the other side of the globe? Today, it can feel so hard to find connection when it feels there is so much that divides us, from varying beliefs to differing values to conflicting understandings of the world.

Recognizing common humanity is not about smoothing over or ignoring these differences, but remembering that we all know what it feels like to be messy and unsure, to experience pain and loss. According to Dr. Kristin Neff, common humanity is a necessary part of self-compassion. We may not experience hardship the same way, but we all struggle. As Dr. Neff says, "Unlike self-pity, which says poor me, self-compassion says poor us." By recognizing the ways we can connect through our common humanity, we can build stronger and more meaningful relationships and be kinder to ourselves and others.

3 Tools to Help Appreciate Our Common Humanity

1. Remember that we are not alone. It can sometimes feel easier to see what divides us than what brings us together. However, common humanity is not the absence of difference. Common humanity simply means recognizing that, even with our differences, we are still human and have the capacity to connect with one another.

2. Practice self-compassion. As we emphasize here at Courage to Caregivers, we cannot be truly kind to others if we are not also taking care of ourselves. Remind yourself that you are doing the best that you can, and talk to yourself as you would a beloved friend.

3. Embrace connections. Focus on what connects us to other people rather than only what makes us different. By building connections based on our common humanity, we can support both ourselves and those around us.

Check out the complete April 2026 Newsletter focused on Common Humanity here!

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” ~ Helen Keller

Did you know loneliness is considered a major public health concern? Former U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy has described an “epidemic of loneliness,” noting that even in a world where we are more digitally connected than ever, many of us still lack meaningful connection. Research suggests that the health risks of chronic loneliness can be comparable to smoking up to 15 cigarettes per day, highlighting the essential role that connection plays in our emotional and physical well-being. For unpaid family caregivers, strengthening connection is a protective factor that supports resilience and helps prevent burnout.

“Some things in life cannot be fixed. They can only be carried.” — Megan Devine

There are ALL kinds of grief and loss that caregivers face on a daily basis. I’m choosing to focus on the one that I battle with every day—ambiguous loss. Ambiguous loss is a form of grief that occurs when there is no clear closure or resolution, such as when a loved one is physically present but psychologically changed, or psychologically present but physically absent. It’s that feeling that the future you envisioned for yourself and your loved one, no matter the relationship, is different and may never unfold as planned.

“When you change the way you look at things, the things you look at change.” – Wayne Dyer

Caregiving is deeply human work. Across cultures, generations, and life experiences, people step into roles of supporting loved ones through illness, disability, mental health challenges, aging, and times of uncertainty. While every caregiving journey is unique, one truth connects us all: We were never meant to do this alone.