Caring for Caretakers
Our work as doulas gives us the ability to step back from the patient who is dying and see the larger picture. Even better, we can do something about it.
Time and Energy
Every aspect of life that requires you to show up is going to demand two major resources: time and energy. Whether the challenge is raising a family, maintaining a career, going back to school to gain new skills, or just indulging in a hobby that enriches your spirit—if you don’t put your energy into it, you won’t get good results. And if you don’t put any time in, well, it might not happen at all.
A Foundation for the Future
What distinguishes IDLM from many other programs is its integrative and forward-thinking approach. IDLM prepares doulas to work with hospice systems, not outside of them. The curriculum includes education on early hospice enrollment advocacy, regulatory awareness, ethical boundaries, and professional communication within healthcare environments.
Bringing Yourself to the Work
It may seem at first that doula work is completely unrelated to whatever you were doing before, and that you’re starting again from scratch with no idea what you’re supposed to do. But the truth is, whatever you are bringing forward with you is something that you will be able to use as a doula.
The Value of Community Spirit
We talk a great deal about the ways we serve; the things we do for the people we assist. But it is important to take time to also consider whom we serve. We serve our clients: end-of-life patients and their families. In addition to that, as doulas, we also work to serve the communities we are a part of, whether we are currently working with individual clients or not.
When the Wind Blows
It is always wise to be prepared for an emergency, especially when there is so much happening in the world and it seems like there are emergencies all around us, all the time. As doulas, we have chosen a special calling to be of service, and now is no time to be caught off guard.
Honoring Our Furry Friends
One of the most personal forms of grief can come from the loss of a pet. Our relationships with our pets are special: yes, we love them because they are cute and funny, but we also love them because they are ours.
The Modern Good Death
One of the most beautiful aspects of being a doula is helping people to take ownership of their own death, and helping them realize that it doesn’t need to look the way they think it’s supposed to look. It can look however they want. And as doulas, we have the privilege of helping them put it all together.
It’s Our Birthday!
This week IDLM celebrated our Fifth Annual Birthday Bash. It was a fantastic time! One of the major topics under discussion is particularly vital to new doulas trying to build a practice—where do you start? We all know it’s important to get out there, but where is there? And who are you supposed to talk […]
Getting Yourself Out There!
It probably won’t be easy, especially if you’re starting from scratch. But nothing worth really doing is ever easy, and the good news is you have the whole community at IDLM behind you, supporting you every step of the way.
