Caregiving lesson hidden in a jigsaw puzzle
This week, I found myself staring at a 1,000-piece jigsaw puzzle, overwhelmed by the sheer volume of pieces and unsure where to begin.
I chose this activity as a way to relax during the holidays.
Ironically though, my first feeling was overwhelm.
And since my mind often looks for tips & lessons in caregiving, I noticed several similarities between this jigsaw puzzle experience and caregiving.
How easy it is to feel lost in overwhelm with the chaos of
responsibilities,
decisions,
and emotions.
Below are some lessons I learned as I was doing the jigsaw puzzle, that you can apply to how you approach caregiving....
5 Lessons to Apply in Your Caregiving:
1. Start with a Foundation
Instead of tackling everything at once, I began by finding the edge pieces.
This gave me a clear frame—a foundation to build upon.
In caregiving, identifying your “edges”—what’s most urgent or foundational—can help reduce feelings of overwhelm.
2. Organize What You Can
Grouping similar pieces by color and pattern made the task feel more manageable.
In caregiving, organizing your tasks into smaller categories can make the big picture less intimidating.
3. Slow and Steady Progress
At first, it felt like I wasn’t getting anywhere.
But with patience, piece by piece, the image started to come together.
Caregiving is similar—it’s about progress, not perfection.
Celebrate each small win.
4. Accept Help
What truly helped me get started was someone else sitting down with me.
The other person's encouragement and fresh perspective made the task less overwhelming. Shout out to my helpful husband!
As your caregiver coach, I partner with you in your caregiving journey.
Offering emotional support, guidance, tools, and a calm perspective to help YOU FEEL LESS ALONE.
5. Mindfulness in the Moment
The process of focusing on one piece at a time gave me a sense of calm.
It reminded me of the power of being present, even in the midst of challenges.
The puzzle I am working on!
If caregiving feels like a 1,000-piece puzzle that’s scattered across the table,
know this: you don’t have to put it together alone.
Whether you’re just getting started or navigating a particularly tough time,
I’m here to help you find clarity, calm, and a sense of control.
Let’s start putting the pieces together—one at a time.
Ready to take the first step toward feeling less overwhelmed?
Schedule a complimentary discovery call—I’d love to hear your story and explore how I can support you.
“Every day is sort of a jigsaw puzzle. You have to make sure that
you’re putting the most important things first.”
