Thursday, July 23, 2026

I am loosely basing this post off of Gretchen Rubin’s list of things in her book The Happiness Project. I believe she called it “Be Gretchen”. It’s like “To thine own self be true” and it’s one of the best things about getting some age and experience on the ol’ body. We stop trying to fit ourselves into a mold, follow the trends, or be someone who we really aren’t, at our core. Good for you if you never did any of these things, but I would say most of us have. Also, I could have gone on and on, it seems!

I would love to hear yours, too, so do a post or leave your best one and I will publish it if it’s ok with you!

Stop saying “sorry” so much. If I really do something wrong, of course I need to say “sorry” and I am quick to do so, but I am working on the “sorry” for every little thing. I feel like women almost apologize for taking up space in a room sometimes.

Stop overthinking. Make a decision and tuck it away and be done with it.

Keep it simple. Sometimes dinner can be one meat and one vegetable. Pack less when I travel. Have a summer uniform. Simple is often best.

Get the darn app. It makes life easier. There really is an app for every retailer and every aspect of your life. It really does make everything easier – recent examples: the Delta app, the Spectrum internet app, the financial advisor’s app.

Not everything has to be the “most efficient” way. Sometimes you just have to get things done however you can.

Not everything has to happen at the same time each week.

Order things in a restaurant that I can’t make at home. Don’t order things where mine is better or I will be disappointed.

Pick up the phone and make a call instead of three million text exchanges.

Sometimes old school ways are better (see above). Consider when technology is your friend and when it makes things harder.

Allow for silence. Pause. Listen more.

Enjoy the moment and stop thinking about what’s next.

Add water – a shower, a dip in a pool, water to drink, water in your dressings and cooking. Water makes everything better.

Pick your battles. My Dad’s famous one liner was “10 years from now I will never know the difference”. Is this something that is so minor you won’t care in even 10 minutes? I have some recent examples of doing well with this. My friend wanted me to send back an order that was wrong and I said it was ok. I hate to make a fuss in a restaurant.

Start with a positive. Always say something nice to a clerk, a family member, a friend. As a teacher, I would start with a positive when I needed to have a “chat” with a student. It usually went something like this: “I appreciate your energy and enthusiasm for this class, but when I start teaching it’s important that the other students have a chance to hear and participate, too.” Lol. That was a nice way of saying “shut your trap, homeslice!”

You catch more flies with honey (see above) – that person you have to call or deal with on the phone. that post office clerk, that salesclerk, that teenager taking your order. It’s just as easy to be nice.

Always allow about 10 extra minutes to get places. Always be early. It’s a sign of respect and sometimes you reap rewards. I can’t tell you how many good things have happened to me by showing up early. I really think being late is one of the rudest traits. If you tend to run late, time yourself to see how long it truly takes to get ready. Get ready and then sit around. Don’t sit around and then get ready.

Always take water and a snack.

Always have a book with you in a waiting situation. My Dad always said that if you have a book with you, you will never be bored. Can you see how much his voice runs around in my head?

Get off your phone and look around. Yes, I will talk to you if I’m waiting in a line with you.

Give compliments freely. If you immediately compliment someone, it changes the tone of every exchange. Try it!

Ok – your turn! You can even tell me if you disagree with something I have deemed a rule for myself.

Amy