CATHY'S corner

Out of all the relationships we might have, the one we have with ourselves is the most important. As I’ve grown older, this relationship has transitioned into changes I’ve made to make my life easier, happier, less stressful.

I lay out my clothes and jewelry the night before so there’s no indecisiveness the next morning. I play pickleball, walk, use weights and the elliptical, stretch, do the NYT crossword puzzle (well, Monday and Tuesday) and word jumble. I guess these would fall under the category of wellness, but for me, these are things that I can do that make me feel better.

I’m in a book club with other women that is good for me socially and mentally. I FINALLY learned to use the calendar on my iPhone, and I’ve only double-booked plans once. I frequently use the app Waze for driving directions, Giphy, and asking Siri to set the alarm (mostly to check on baking). If I think of something I don’t want to forget and there’s no paper around, I text myself a reminder.

Making new, dear friends in California has been an absolute joy, and something I thought would never happen. The icing on the cake is having new friends over for dinner. My prep for dinner takes longer than it used to, but anything I can do ahead of time helps with my organization: choosing the menu, making lists, shopping a few days ahead of time – and preparing some things ahead of time like salad, frosting for a cake, cutting vegetables, deciding on the centerpiece, and setting the table the night before.

It’s taken me time to discover the things that I do love and help to make my life more complete. I cherish my relationships more than ever. My hope is to continue discovering new ideas and experiencing new adventures that fulfill me and make me happy.