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
Coffee and Cocktails at the Casa 
I abide by several of these too; particularly the “always have a book on you” and I am much more likely to call someone than text back and forth. But I am pretty resistant to using apps– I’ll download an app like Delta for my trip but then uninstall it the minute I get back home. I have having lots of app cluttering up my phone.
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I am the same way – not wanting clutter on my phone but I realized the app helps for things I use often. I do clean out my apps from time to time.
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very good
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Thank you!
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I like this and am going to give it some thought. One thing that came to mind immediately though is something my daughter says to her kids when they’re upset and reacting in the moment…’is this a big problem or a little problem?’ Amazing how it instantly takes the temperature down when they pause and admit it’s actually a little problem that doesn’t need a big reaction.
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Thank you! That is such a good parenting question. I see some young people parenting so well these days but I also see some doing too much of what I guess is called “gentle parenting”. My sisters say the parenting today is super lacking as they are both elementary teachers. But, then, I think of how ineffective “because I said so” was for me. I wanted to know reasons why and I needed tools like what your daughter is giving her kids.
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Your dad really sounded like such a great human! So wise!
I agree with these. The best thing about getting to this age is that feeling of peace and knowing what I like and what I don’t. I am still open to trying new things but I also know that my gut instinct is my guide!
xo,
Kellyann
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He really was! I am biased but so many people continue to sing his praises to me. I love that. I hope you get that affirmation, too. I love when people talk about my parents.
Yes, well said! I love mental health reminders, and you have given so many good ones over the years!
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Such great rules and advice Amy- truly- thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Holly!
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I love that, Amy! You really should write a book! Your tone is so nice, you’re witty and clever and you have so many great things to say!
One thing I tell myself is “It will all be better tomorrow.” Sometimes you just have to trust that everything will work out fine – I mean, it always does in the end, right?
Please continue to share your father’s wise words! Maybe a post in its own?
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Awww, shhhh. It’s going to seem like I am paying you to leave these nice comments.
I love having a do-over! I think so – sometimes it is not what we had planned but it turns out better.
What a great idea – I think my sister has a document of all of his sayings.
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HA HA! I’m just following your advice; “Give compliments freely”! š
Yeah, I’m with you on that, I think life is exciting in that way; things change and somehow everything becomes better (I know, some horrible things without meaning happens, but that’s another story). I’m strange in that way: I love to plan (outfits, lessons, packing) but I also love when plans are changed (you know like, everyone has to be in the assembly hall when I have planned a certain thing – it’s a nice challenge!).
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What a fabulous list! As I was reading through it, I was reminded of how many things I’m still working on (!) and how many are so true! Keeping things simple and stop saying “sorry” were the first two that jumped out at me but I kept nodding as I read! I have a feeling I’ll return to this post more than once! Happy Thursday!
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This is a great list of rules and advice! I really need to take notice and do some of these, especially the always saying sorry and overthinking things. I order things when I am eating out that I wouldn’t usually have at home. It saves so much disappointment and yes to adding water to everything!
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I love this post! We would be friends in real life if we lived near each other – even with the age difference haha! In my old age, I don’t enjoy phone calls any more . . .so I text a lot BUT there comes a point, when a phone call might be easier.
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This is such a great list, and I definitely live by several of these. I will have to think about this and add some in a blog post!
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There is great truth and wisdom in this post! I agree with every single thing you listed here. There are a few that stick out that I love: 1) water makes everything better, 2) always take a snack and water, 3) arrive early, and 4) don’t say sorry all the time.
About the last one, I have started saying “excuse me” more than ever before; I used to apologize all of the time for bumping into someone or squeezing by someone and their cart in the middle of the grocery store aisle, but now I say “excuse me” instead. It’s polite and gets the point across, and of course I offer a smile while I say the words.
That’s something else I’ll add: smile more. It takes less muscles than frowning, it instantly erases the 11 lines in our foreheads, and it makes us seem more approachable and friendly.
I loved today’s post!
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Love these thoughts! I agree with starting with a positive – I do that with my students and my own kids haha
Yes to bringing water, a snack and a book wherever you go š
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