My Life is Scary: Fulltime caregiving, how do I rediscover me?

Posted by jjschmerer @jjschmerer, Dec 25, 2025

I don't know how to ask this. I am 45 yrs old and taking care of two parents, 73 and 74. I have put my life on hold for the past 8 soon 9 years to help them.

How can I start my life and rediscover me while being in this position? I am looking for part time work now. Yes I see a therapist but I wanted to get feedback from others if they have been in this situation.

I have a BA in Anthropology and minor in Public Administration from 2007 but no schooling since then because of my life and Mom and Dad. I am also disabled and get SSI.

I have no clue how to start moving forward and starting to relearn me and make the life I really want. I am not alone, I think, I this but it I feel so so so alone at the same time and so so so stressed.

What is you all advice or answers or if you are hiring let me know. I have not worked since 2019.

Signed,

Confused and Tired

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royce | @royce | Dec 26, 2025

A possible start would be to look for work from home oppotunities on line. Make a resume and include all you caregiving experience. There is always something you can write to benefit new caregivers. Good luck and don't get discouraged.

anniesezu812 | @anniesezu812 | Dec 26, 2025

I am in a different situation so unfortunately can't advise you. All I can do is offer support. Hopefully others have useful advice.
My life is also scary and the future terrifies me. I am a product of surgeries I didnt need and 6 yrs of medical neglect for an urgently required surgery I couldn't get
because the problem didnt show on scans. I'm so fed up with Drs in U.S. relying too heavily on scans, not using their brains.
I recently had a Spinal Cord Stimulator removed and I guess the surgery irritated already deeply irritated nerves because my pain levels are scary bad. I can't function, care for myself much or do anything but lie in bed. Im a young able looking 68 yrs old, but im far from able.
My mum passed 2 years ago and my hubby 13 years ago , im from Europe so have no family in the U.S.
I'm scared in a very different way but I understand your concerns, mine are how do I keep living when the pain is so bad im not even able to eat easily. The thought of more years like this is deeply depressing and in all honesty Drs don't pcare much. They want easy cases, just to move on.
Mostly I try to stay Positive/ determined but a recent MRI pushed me over the edge.
Value your health everyone, I had a simple abdominal injury that has ultimately destroyed my life because surgeons wouldn't repair it. I had many physical symptoms proving I was very ill, weighing 78 lbs, wheelchair bound and bloated like a heavily pregnant lady...still they did nothing.

Thanks for reading....my future also feels SCARY and Frightening . Once pain reaches central nervous system it seems virtually impossible to control. Best wishes for the New Year.

larryg333 | @larryg333 | Dec 26, 2025

Hi, JJ. Hope this gives you some ideas on how to proceed.

No longer there, but in PA several years ago, there was a county office that helped folks needing assistance obtaining employment. They ran resume-building classes; had mock job interviews; provided contacts to open job opportunities available county-wide; and offered other personalized helpful services / ideas to individuals. These were all "free" services to residents... their goal was to return folks to work they were capable of performing.

Maybe where you live there's a similar "employment" type office... either county or state-run.

Best of luck with your job search, J. Stay positive... you've proven to be a strong person... and I think you can accomplish your oblective.

/LarryG

tisme | @tisme | Dec 27, 2025

hope you can do something other than just caring, I didnt get that chance with 4 relatives to care for now Im 65 with my own health issues, do all u can to develop a separate life.