"I'm drowning and no one sees it"
You're managing a job, your own family, and your parents' care. You're doing hospital runs, fielding calls from doctors, sorting medications, and keeping everyone updated. You're exhausted. You're stressed. And you're starting to snap at people you love.
Everyone keeps saying "let me know if you need anything" - but you don't even know what you need. You just know you can't keep going like this. You feel guilty for resenting it. Guilty for not doing enough. Guilty for wanting your life back.
This is for you if:
- You're carrying too much and it's affecting everything
- You're the one everyone calls, and you don't know how to stop
- You feel guilty for struggling when "other people have it worse"
- You need permission to prioritise yourself without feeling selfish
What you'll get: Validation that what you're feeling is completely normal - not a personal failing. Help identifying what you can actually delegate, let go of, or do differently. Practical strategies to reduce your load this week, not someday. Permission to take care of yourself without the guilt. Because you can't pour from an empty cup, and right now yours is bone dry.
You're not failing. You're doing an impossible amount. Let's figure out what you can actually take off your plate this week.
Articles in this journey
You're not just tired. This is what burnout actually feels like.
Caregiver burnout hits hardest after a crisis. Recognise the warning signs and access free support through Carer Gateway before you crash completely.
The siblings who disappeared all year suddenly have opinions about Mum's care
When a crisis hits, distant siblings often emerge with strong opinions but little context. How to manage family conflict when decisions need to happen fast.
Types of care: A simple guide (before you need it at 2am)
A clear guide to care options for ageing parents - from basic home support to full-time care. Understand what's available and what might work for your situation.
The three conversations to have before everything changes
Most families wait until a crisis to talk about care - 2am in a hospital corridor, trying to guess what "I never want to be a burden" actually means. But 86% of Australians don't have plans for this stage of life, not because they don't care, but because these conversations feel impossible to start. This guide breaks down the three essential conversations to have with your parent before everything changes: what matters most to them if they need care, what medical decisions they'd want if they can't speak for themselves (including who should speak for them), and how your family will actually make it work without destroying each other. You'll get specific questions to ask, scripts for starting each conversation, strategies for handling resistance, and guidance on documenting what you learn. These conversations are hard - but having them now means making decisions later that actually align with what your parent wants, not just what seems practical in a crisis.
When your family avoids 'the talk': How to start anyway.
When your family resists talking about ageing and care planning, your approach matters as much as your timing. Find your communication style and get practical strategies to start the conversation—whether you're the organiser, peacekeeper, or managing care from across the country.
Remember when you had a village to raise your kids? Your parents need one too.
You knew how to build a support network when your kids were young—other parents, neighbours, friends who helped each other without keeping score. Your parent needs that same village now. This article shows you how to create a people-first safety net using the skills you already have: being specific about what helps, making it reciprocal, and knowing you can't do this alone. Whether your parent is at home, in independent living, or residential care, the principle is the same - build the network before you desperately need it. And when you do, you'll probably end up helping someone else's parent too. That's how villages work.
What happens when you don't plan - the real costs of winging it
Think you'll figure it out when the time comes? Here's what "winging it" actually looks like when your parent needs care—and why it's harder than you think.
The conversations that need to happen at your kitchen table (not a hospital corridor)
The last stage of life deserves the same thoughtful planning we give to careers, raising children, and retirement. But only 14% of Australians have a plan in place for end-of-life care which means most families are making these profound decisions in hospital corridors under stress. This article guides you through the conversations that need to happen now - at your kitchen table, while everyone's calm - about future care preferences, what matters most, and who speaks on your behalf if you can't speak for yourself.
When you're far away and can't see what's really happening
Distance makes everything harder when your aging parent lives interstate or overseas. How to get accurate information, build remote oversight, and know when to act - whether you're managing from Sydney to Perth or Melbourne to Mumbai.