In A Very Triggering Space

[Eder]

I'm dog sitting and all around me are children's toys, kids, photos of family members, it's not very clean, it smells, and I'm also watching over an elderly woman who can be very nasty. Before dog sitting I was involuntarily was told she was "also raped as a child and that's why she's so angry and mean" (like that's any of my business or that I wanted to know... But thanks).

Any thoughts on how to cope? I only have a few days left but I'm just sitting here in a panic, judging myself.

 

[Epa]

Is the woman open to having you do some light housework? Perhaps doing that will be a good distraction.
Also, if it gets to be just "too much", take the dogs for walks. Take them every hour if you need to, to get yourself out of the house. Do you like reading? It will keep your eyes off that which is stressing you out. A deck of cards, a piece of paper and some doodling. Just a few snippets of things that you could do if you are in someone else's house without your own things.
Because you are stuck being there as an obligation, it's important to try and keep yourself busy, which will in turn keep your mind busy from the chaos all around you.

 

[Eder]

I've tried to clean but they don't have many cleaning supplies. The dogs also don't go for walks (all they do is sleep; it's really odd).

I can read for a little while but then I'll get hit with intense anxiety and go into a panic. I'm not sure if I should cry to let it out or hide it/ignore it.

 

[Ula]

Wow that feels so invasive that you were told "she was raped as a child".
If it was me, I would use that very familiar sense of invalidation and lack of confidentiality that that elderly woman must feel to generate empathy.
We will all be "elderly" one day, and our stories will travel with us. It's not right that you were given that information!
Be a friend to her - as you would want yourself in her situation.
Yes, cry for your own pain too!
Do what you'd want done for you

 

[Pece]

I spoke to my mother today about it and I feel a bit better. I'm taking a day's break until coming back for the weekend (only for some Saturday and some on Sunday).

 

[Atipu]

Wow that feels so invasive that you were told "she was raped as a child".
If it was me, I would use that very familiar s...

Her relatives always seem to find the negatives in her and yes, she can be really mean but I stood up for myself years ago and she's never been mean to me to my face and that's all well and good for me! I've known her since I was a baby and though I'm older now I don't want to be told her personal information, but it does help me understand why she was abusive and not a fan of children; must be a trigger for her or something. I understand that.

 

[Ake]

Reading this, I understand why she's mean! Probably pretty angry - with a family that always finds the negatives and gives out the information "she was raped as a child" so freely. You can read between the lines that she has probably given up all hope of kindness from other human beings.
It really kills me that some people never get the help or the understanding they deserve. Life is really cruel.
Bring flowers into her house! She deserves flowers, if nothing else.