Permission to Be Seen in Caregiving & Finding Yourself Again with Nikki Nurse
- Nicole Will
- May 7
- 3 min read

Permission to Be Seen in Caregiving & Finding Yourself Again with Nikki Nurse, Writer, Wellness Advocate, and Caregiver
What happens when the roles we’ve known all our lives—daughter, professional, partner—are suddenly eclipsed by one word: caregiver? For so many, caregiving becomes not just a responsibility but an identity. And with that comes the heavy mix of self-sacrifice, emotional resilience, and a quiet grief. But what if there’s another way to see it? What if caregiving could be both a deep act of love and an opportunity to hold onto who we are, to grow, and to even rediscover our power?
Today’s guest, Nikki Nurse, spent 12 years as a full-time caregiver for her mom, who lived with early-onset dementia and Alzheimer’s. That journey shaped not only her days but her entire understanding of empathy, resilience, and what it means to care for someone while still caring for yourself. Nikki’s story is one of navigating grief, finding emotional respite, and redefining what sustainable self-care looks like—not as a luxury, but as a lifeline for caregivers.
In this conversation, we’ll explore the truth behind caregiving and self-sacrifice, what sustainable self-care really looks like, and why permission to be seen is a radical act for caregivers. Nikki will share how to navigate grief and guilt, set boundaries, and even break the generational patterns that tell us caregiving must mean losing ourselves. Nikki shares how AI can help caregivers by easing the mental load—automating tasks, offering reminders, and creating space for what really matters: being present and caring without burning out. We’ll also talk about reclaiming confidence, embracing resilience, and the small, powerful ways caregivers can give themselves flowers—every day.
Listen to our episode HERE.
Follow and connect with Nikki at http://www.alogcabininbrooklyn.com/ and follow her on Instagram HERE.
Listen to her podcast with CARE-isma HERE.
Thank you to our Sponsors

HeroGeneration empowers caregivers and families by providing innovative resources, education, and support to navigate the challenges of aging and caregiving with confidence and connection. It's free to start. Join now HERE.
Share your caregiver story HERE!

Zinnia TV is a therapeutic dementia care platform that supports caregivers. Creating engaging, dementia-friendly video content to reduce anxiety, spark memories, and provide meaningful moments of connection for individuals living with cognitive challenges and their caregivers. We invite you to use the code GATHER20 for 20% off an annual subscription HERE.
About Nikki Nurse
Nikki Nurse is a passionate and creative force who is inspiring family caregivers to live their best lives EVERY DAY. Nikki believes that real health and wellbeing come through tending to small moments - in the mundane of our everyday lives. She wants us to pause, reflect on what might need healing, and find simple ways to take care of ourselves every single day. Through her empathetic writing and calm presence, she makes it easy for us to acknowledge our pain and struggles - embracing them not as enemies, but as part of our ongoing journey towards joy and empowerment. No matter where you are on your path to a peaceful life, Nikki will provide insight and support along the way - encouraging us all to remove any blocks or barriers from achieving true harmony within ourselves. Nikki knows that when we learn how to prioritize self-care into our daily rituals we can create healthier versions of ourselves.
Nikki Nurse is a writer, wellness advocate, and caregiver who spent 12 years as the primary caregiver for her mother, who lived with dementia and Alzheimer’s. This experience became the cornerstone of her work, shaping her understanding of empathy, resilience, and the complexities of balancing care with personal growth. Nikki empowers caregivers with style, wellness, and self-care strategies.
With nearly 20 years of experience in marketing, Nikki has mastered the art of creating campaigns that connect, inspire, and drive brand growth across industries. Her work is fueled by creativity, strategic thinking, and a passion for telling meaningful stories—especially those rooted in caregiving and personal transformation.
In addition to her professional achievements, Nikki is known for blending fashion and personal style as a form of self-care and self-expression. Her love for trends and storytelling informs both her wardrobe and her unique approach to brand building. Passion, creativity, and resilience are at the heart of everything she does.
LISTEN NOW: Apple Podcasts, Spotify & on your favorite podcast platform.
We are not medical professionals and are not providing any medical advice. If you have any medical questions, we recommend that you talk with a medical professional of your choice. willGather has taken care in selecting its speakers but the opinions of our speakers are theirs alone. Thank you for your continued interest in our podcasts.
Please follow for updates, rate & review!
For more information about our guest, podcast & sponsorship opportunities, visit www.willgatherpodcast.com
Instagram: @willgather
Facebook: WillGather
Nicole Will is our host and founder of willGather.
Comments