Embracing 'Livssorg': Navigating the Twined Paths of Caregiving and Personal Healing
Description
Caring for someone is a journey with its own unique grief, a path I've walked down myself. It’s a role that transforms you, one where love and sorrow intertwine, and where feeling overwhelmed is often an understatement. In our latest episode, we introduce the Norwegian concept of "livssorg," or "life sorrow", as articulated by Jeanette Røset. We're not here to offer easy solutions but to shed light on the emotional complexities that caregivers endure, and the resilience that can be fostered through self-empathy and the raw acknowledgement of our struggles.
I open up about my battle with depression and how creativity became my beacon of hope; from the stories I crafted to the melodies that carried me through dark times. We discuss the necessity of self-care, likening it to the life-saving instructions given on airplanes: put on your own oxygen mask before you help others. This episode is a heartfelt reminder to all caregivers—you're not alone, your feelings are valid, and it's more than okay to prioritize your own healing. It's a conversation filled with gratitude, touching on the importance of support networks and the courage to rewrite our narratives, even when they’re steeped in life’s inevitable sorrows.
Listen to the music of the talented Taryn Harbridge here. I use one of her songs in the episode, I wonder as I wander.
United States
