What The Term “Rush to Wait” Taught Me About Caregiving

I used to think airports were the most stressful places on earth. You rush to check in, rush through security, and rush to your gate, only to sit and wait. Waiting for boarding. Waiting for takeoff. Waiting for someone to tell you what’s next.

Caregiving often feels exactly the same.

When I first stepped into the role, everything felt urgent. I was constantly racing to find answers, organize medications, and plan for the next step. Every moment carried pressure. I thought being a good caregiver meant moving faster, fixing everything, and keeping everyone safe.

But I’ve learned that caregiving isn’t always about what you do. Sometimes, it’s about what you don’t.

No amount of rushing makes things move faster. You can’t speed up healing, acceptance, or the readiness of a loved one who doesn’t want help yet. What you can do is stay steady. Listen. Breathe. Offer calm instead of control.

That’s what the “rush to wait” taught me. Waiting doesn’t mean you’re doing nothing; it means you’re holding space for what’s still unfolding.

There are moments when the phone won’t ring, the doctor’s office will stay silent, or your parent won’t be ready to change. Those pauses used to feel unbearable. Now I see them as part of the process.

Waiting is where caregivers learn patience, presence, and perspective. It’s where love takes root, not in the rush to fix things, but in the quiet willingness to stay close until the next step becomes clear.