10 Tips for Caregiver Creators: Balancing Caregiving and Creativity

Kareem and His Grandpa at University at Buffalo Graduation class of 2008

Taking care of a loved one while trying to pursue your creative work isn’t easy—trust me, I’ve been there. Before home hospice started for my grandpa, I had to find ways to make it all work. Cooking, cleaning, caregiving, and still making space for my dreams. It’s overwhelming, but possible. If you’re a creator balancing caregiving, here are 10 tips that helped me keep going:

1. Meal Prep to Save Time
   When you’re a caregiver, time is everything. Prepping meals in advance can save you hours in the week. I relied on things like canned sliced potatoes to make home fries and breakfast bowls—quick, filling, and easy.

2. Have Go-To Quick but Healthy Breakfasts
   Mornings can be hectic, and skipping meals isn’t an option. Keep quick, healthy options ready—overnight oats, smoothies, or eggs with prepped potatoes. A good breakfast sets you up for the day.

3. Create a Dedicated Creative Space
   The hardest part can be starting. Have a space that’s always ready to go—camera set up, lights in place, tools within reach. That way, when inspiration hits (or when you finally get a moment), you can jump right in. I made this happen while caring for my grandpa, setting up a giant canvas wall to divide our spaces. While I thought he’d be annoyed that he had to be quiet while I filmed, he actually loved watching and hearing everything unfold.

4. Communicate Your Needs
   Let the person you’re caring for know what you’re doing and what you need from them. When I filmed PinPals with Stephanie Boswell after Chopped, my grandpa was right on the other side of that canvas wall. Instead of being upset, he found joy in hearing the buzz of creativity happening in our home. Those moments were special.

5. Make Sure They Have What They Need Before You Start
   Set them up comfortably before diving into work. Water, snacks, TV remote, or anything else they might need so you don’t have to keep stopping.

6. Use Pockets of Time Wisely
   Sometimes, you won’t get long hours to create. Use those short moments—write down ideas, edit a clip, sketch a design. Small steps still move you forward. Filming while caregiving meant I had to maximize every break and in-between moment.

7. Give Yourself Grace
   Some days will be hard. You might feel like you’re failing at both caregiving and creating. You’re not. You’re doing your best, and that’s enough. When I booked PinPals, I was balancing the weight of my grandpa’s care and the excitement of creating something new. It was a lot, but I made it work.

8. Find Ways to Involve Them
   If they enjoy watching you work, let them be part of it in small ways. My grandpa loved hearing the buzz of creativity even when he wasn’t physically involved. Sometimes, just knowing they’re there, watching you build your dreams, makes all the difference.

9. Stay Organized
   Juggling caregiving and creativity means staying on top of things. Use lists, schedules, or even voice memos to keep track of ideas and tasks. Having a structured setup made it easier to switch from caregiver mode to creator mode when I had the chance.

10. Remember Why You’re Doing This
    You’re not just creating for yourself—you’re documenting your journey, your passion, and your resilience. And one day, when you look back, you’ll see just how powerful that was. Every video, every project, every moment spent balancing it all—it’s part of your story.

Being a caregiver doesn’t mean giving up on your creative work—it just means adjusting, adapting, and finding new ways to make it happen. If you’re in this position, I see you. Keep going. You got this.