I’m building new habits this year to avoid caregiving on autopilot
Being a caregiver can be tiring, so I need to do more for my well-being
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As we drove down the street, the morning jam to music paused briefly when my eldest daughter said, “Don’t forget to go Dad’s way.” I smiled, knowing full well what she meant. Dad’s way was a shorter route to her school, but my daughter was also telling me, “Please pay attention to where you are going.”
I have two daughters. Our youngest, Amelia, 13, has Friedreich’s ataxia (FA), while our eldest, age 15, does not. Each morning, I drive the older one to school, and this past fall, the location changed. However, my habits remained the same, and I often missed the turn.
Breaking old habits; making new ones
Habits are powerful. Once I start doing something regularly, I don’t have to think about it; I just do it. Over time, the habits we develop can become beneficial or even harmful.
For example, as a parent of a child with FA, one of my habits involves writing down updates for my daughter in the Notes app on my iPhone. I keep everything in one document. At the top, I list the supplements or medications Amelia is on, along with the doses and the dates we started them. Below, I jot down anything I need to remember to tell our doctor, such as leg pains, sleep quality, and so on. The list is not long, but it is helpful. This way, when the doctor asks questions at our next appointment, I don’t have to tax my brain trying to remember.
However, another habit of mine involves ice cream. I love ice cream, especially at night. I walk into my kitchen and grab a bowl and spoon without even thinking. I know this can have a significant impact on my health. I also allow myself to get sucked into my email and stay there for too long.
Being a caregiver can be very tiring. When I feel tired, I tend to switch to autopilot more quickly. That’s how these bad habits take over.
Every January, I set goals. I love new beginnings and the idea of a fresh start. This year, I have just one goal: to establish intentional habits in my daily life that promote my well-being. How do I plan to do that?
First, I will review my schedule, both as it is written down and as it is happening in real-time. I’ll examine what I do on a day-to-day basis, identifying what fills me up, what gives me energy, and where I waste time and precious resources — such as staring at my phone too much!
From there, I plan to rework my weekly schedule and then my daily schedule to establish new habits to benefit my well-being. I’ve never done anything like this before — a comprehensive audit of my habits — so I’m pretty excited and know the potential is there to bring others on board to support me on this journey.
This will take time. Forming new patterns of living is never easy. However, I hope that with time and intentionality, I will practice new habits that will benefit my mind, body, and spirit. Hello, 2026. I’m excited for the road and new habits ahead.
Note: Friedreich’s Ataxia News is strictly a news and information website about the disease. It does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. This content is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition. Never disregard professional medical advice or delay in seeking it because of something you have read on this website. The opinions expressed in this column are not those of Friedreich’s Ataxia News or its parent company, Bionews, and are intended to spark discussion about issues pertaining to Friedreich’s ataxia.
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