Identify your needs and nurture intimacy

Identifying your own needs within the relationship is an important starting point to clarify what actions might be undertaken or encouraged to nurture the bond with the person you are supporting. However, we acknowledge that this step of identification can pose a significant introspective challenge.

Here are some questions to help you identify your needs in your relationship:

Once you have identified your need, you can reflect on the type of actions that could meet this need. It is important to remember that potential actions will vary depending on the need and can differ for each person.

In conclusion, we offer various lines of thought to nourish intimacy, an element that can be neglected when caregiving takes up a lot of space:

• Reflect on the motivation behind each project you previously had, such as why you wanted to travel? Was it to experience wonder or discover new things? Then how is it possible to adapt these motivations in the current context? The idea is to adapt to what is available and realistic for you today.

• Engage in activities that nurture the bond together, even if they might not be as satisfying as before. The context has changed, so it would be unrealistic to have the same expectations as those from ten years ago. Maintain small acts of affection.

• Limit discussion time dedicated to the illness. Encourage curiosity about changes in routine, allow yourself the right to change unsatisfying elements and thus the right to make mistakes.

• Don't forget the valuable role of the social network.

• Be sincere with your partner and consider yourselves as a team.

• Prioritize the present moment, day by day, what the day itself offers you in terms of energy, availability to each other, and quality of presence. Each day is different, and adapting to what the present offers is a true gift despite being difficult to do when we are worried about what tomorrow holds.

We invite you to bring this theme into individual therapy, to continue its exploration. A psychosocial worker can support you in deepening it. For more information, contact us at info@gaso or at 514-564-3061.