THEME: Empowerment
Grow Through What You Go Through

We LOVE talking about EMPOWERMENT! Empowerment is a "form of strength that stems from the self and community." It's also a process of BECOMING. Becoming stronger and more confident. As caregivers, empowerment is important for taking care of ourselves - self-empowerment - and providing care to others. 

 

Empowerment might just be the BEST part of our "job." As we work to empower caregivers of ALL kinds - we're working to support them in becoming the best version of themselves! WHO do YOU want to BE or become? 

 

Empowerment has kind of a RIPPLE EFFECT ... as caregivers become more empowered - they set an example for those in their care - they are role models for their loved ones to be more empowered, too! 

 

As we work to prevent caregiver burnout - we love to empower caregivers to be their best selves. 

 

5 TOOLS TO MANIFESTING EMPOWERMENT 

  1. MINDSET: What you THINK you BECOME! Notice - what is your current mindset? How do you feel about it? Do you want to make a change? You can SHIFT your mindset - make a list of your core values - how you want to BE and become - and set a goal (or two) towards pursuing those!
  2. AFFIRMATIONS: Use affirmations to inspire you or reframe your thoughts. Affirmations are a great way to focus on positive self-talk and manifest the YOU that you want to BECOME.
  3. JOURNAL: Journaling allows you to remember the good, bad and ugly from your day - a reminder of how you are BECOMING. It helps you to visualize where you've been and where you want to GO.
  4. MEDITATION: “Meditation is an excellent way to start manifesting a better version of yourself. It’s about silencing and clearing the mind of all negative, unnecessary, and disturbing thoughts and ideas from the mind. With meditation, you can develop self-awareness, stress management skills and learn positive thinking techniques.” ~ Seriah Sargenton, Riyah Speaks
  5. COMMUNITY: Find a community that cares - that lifts you up when you can't stand - that believes in you, and your potential, when you're feeling low. Surround yourself with like-minded, motivated people who empower you to be the best version of yourself.

"The only person you are destined to become is ...

the person you decide to be."

~ Ralph Waldo Emerson

EMPOWERMENT AFFIRMATIONS
Use affirmations to inspire you or reframe your thoughts

  • I am learning to rest instead of quit.
  • In the flow of creativity, solutions come to me. 
  • Space for creativity is space to discover me.
  • Holding space for myself is essential if I wish to hold space for others.
  • I respect myself and my well-being, so I set limits with my time and energy.

"Don't fake it till you make it, fake it till you become it." ~ Amy Cuddy, Presence

 

APPS FOR EMPOWERMENT

  • Gratitude - personal journal app where you can write about things that you are grateful for.
  • Habit List - It has everything you need to reach your goals – providing motivation and helping you to stay focused.
  • Hey! Vina - empowering women to come together and tap into the power of being part of a supportive global community.
  • InnerHour - Find the strength, skills, & resources to overcome depression, beat anxiety, tackle stress, sleep better, & improve your overall mental health.

PODCASTS 

  • Passion, Love Pursuit with Erica Lippy - April 10 episode: “Become Unstoppable: overcome any setback and reach your highest potential" with Mike ”c-roc” Ciorrocco.
  • Make Shift Happen with Samantha Daily - Samantha delivers expert advice, actionable steps, and next-level mindset hacks. 
  • Women’s Empowerment Podcast with Valerie Lavigne
  • Dare to Lead with BrenĂ© Brown- September 2021 episode: "Pandemic Flux Syndrome" with Amy Cuddy

BOOKS

ARTICLES

4th Annual Day of Giving

Monday, July 24

 

Monday, July 24, 2023 is International Self-Care Day, and our 4th annual Day of Giving! International Self-Care Day stresses the importance of self-care as the cornerstone of wellness.  Please consider supporting our mission with your donation as we continue to guide caregivers through their journey of self-care and wellness, equipping them to better care for their loved ones.   

Believe in CLE

Friday, September 1

 

Celebrate Cleveland the evening of Friday, September 1, 2023 with yoga and breathing meditation on the steps of The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame!  We are thrilled to partner with Inner Bliss Yoga Studio for this event benefiting Courage to Caregivers. We were chosen as the nonprofit partner for their 10th annual event.  Experience the power of moving and breathing together at this famous Cleveland location!

CARING FOR THE CAREGIVERS

4th ANNUAL VIRTUAL SUMMIT

Wednesday, November 1 -

Friday, November 3

 

For Unpaid Family Caregivers and Professional Caregivers (CEUs provided)

 

NOW accepting applications for presenters for workshops focused on: mindset, practice, and self-compassion. 

Create With Courage

Sunday, November 5

 

Join us Sunday, November 5, 2023 for Create with Courage - a fundraising event to support caregivers!  Come and experience the benefits of creative expression for mental health and wellness.  There will be many activities and experiences to choose from and more details to come!

MEET OUR INTERNS

Caroline is joining Courage to Caregivers this summer as a Nonprofit Management intern. She is a senior at Tulane University where she majors in Psychology and Communications. Caroline will be working on our curriculum to develop the training for new Caregiver Coaches. Outside of work, she loves to spend time outside at her home in Portland, Oregon where she hikes, swims, and camps. Caroline also enjoys cooking and trying new recipes for her friends and family. Read more about Caroline here.

Natalie is one of our Nonprofit Management Interns. Natalie is a rising junior at the University of Michigan studying nursing with a minor in business. After she graduates, she intends to pursue ICU nursing or emergency medicine. Natalie chose to intern with Courage to Caregivers in order to pursue her passion for working with others and gain experience working within a nonprofit organization. In her role, she will work to expand our programming reach to include professional caregiver support. In her free time, Natalie enjoys reading, cooking, and spending time outdoors. Read more about Natalie here.

July’s theme is WELLNESS, and we will focus on sleep hygiene, moving with courage, and self-discipline vs motivation! As we continue on the journey of discovering our true selves, setting micro-goals will guide us. With micro-goals, it’s easier to take the next right step - as Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said, “A journey of a thousand miles, begins with a single step.” Check out July's Micro-Challenges Calendar.

Courage to Caregivers Breathing Practice for June: Rectangle Breathing

As we support caregivers to make breathing and meditation a practice, we're pleased to share our Breathing Meditation Facilitator Cathy and her monthly breathing practice how-to videos. You can join us for June's Breathing Practice - Rectangle Breathing. With this practice, we can re-align the breath during stressful moments. This breath is good for heightening awareness and for sharpening focus while calming the body. You can watch June's instructional video for Rectangle Breathing here and remember to subscribe to our Monthly Breathing Practices playlist to stay updated each month. You can also subscribe to our Breathing Meditation playlist, where we upload our weekly breathing meditation recordings, and follow along on our Spotify Breathing Meditation playlist.

Reach out to connect! Follow us on:
 
 

The mission of Courage to Caregivers is to provide hope. support and courage to caregivers and loved ones of those living with mental illness. 

 

©2023 Courage to Caregivers, Inc.