Not long ago, an older and wiser person in my life asked me a question that I’ve been thinking about ever since. Out of the blue, apropos of nothing at all, she asked, I’ve been wondering: do you stretch?
Hers was a simple question about a physical practice. And yet I was shocked at the amount of stuff it brought up for me. Without examining the details of our long conversation, I’ll just say my answer could be boiled down to three little words: I used to.
I used to stretch, but due to a confluence of circumstances involving frigid weather, disrupted routines, a simple cold, and plain forgetfulness, I’d fallen out of the habit these past few months. When she asked me this question, I understood in a rush how much my body missed it, how much I missed it. And I started again, immediately: doing my simple long-ago-prescribed sports injury exercises in the doorframe, and queueing up 6-minute yoga videos in the living room once or twice a day.
Until she asked me that simple question—do you stretch?—I didn’t realize how much I had missed it.
We have a longstanding February practice here at Modern Mrs Darcy. Winter isn’t an easy season for many of us, and so to beat back the gloom, we’ve habitually gathered at its midpoint to share the things—big or small—that are saving us right now.
The idea comes from Barbara Brown Taylor’s memoir Leaving Church. In it, she tells the story of how once, when she was invited to speak at a gathering, her host gave her this instruction for her speaking topic: “Tell us what is saving your life right now.” She said the genius of the question is that though most of us know exactly what’s killing us, it’s harder to name what’s saving us. It’s too good a question not to revisit from time to time, and so we’ve done it annually at the midpoint of winter.
We’ve been doing this for over a decade now, and over the years my answers have ranged from philosophically profound, as in the small sips that are saving me and travel advice as life advice, to practical and tactical, like jigsaw puzzles and Friday planning coffee. I’ve written about laundry and sitting on the couch. Last year, just after my mom died suddenly, I wrote about not the things that were saving me, exactly, but the things that were helping me keep my head above water. Over and over again, I’ve written about sunshine and long walks and good books and sleep.
So much of what is saving me in this season is not new: dependable routines, long walks, morning reading. (This year, I struggled more than usual in differentiating what’s working for me from what’s saving me, because so many of the things that worked for me in 2024 are certainly helping, little by little, day by day.)
But I felt pulled to reach deeper than recipe apps and skincare on what’s saving me, and the word that kept coming to mind was flexibility. It took me a surprisingly long time to connect this broad concept to my friend’s question.
This winter, flexibility has looked like moving things on my calendar so everything “fits,” and shifting responsibilities so I’m not overburdened. My MMD/WSIRN team has been such a help here (read: has saved me over and over again) but I’m speaking of the personal stuff as well: Monday is my carpool day, but Will did the driving this morning because my day is PACKED and his isn’t. I wanted to mail that estate filing to the court by the end of January so I could cross it off my list, but they don’t actually need it till March, so I can give myself grace and move my internal deadline back a few weeks.
But I also mean flexibility in the physical sense, that my friend’s question pointed to: it means relaxing my shoulders and lengthening my hamstrings and unkinking the kinks. It means getting unstuck in more ways than one, moving my body to move my mind (which, incidentally, is a core Don’t Overthink it tenet; how could I have let it lapse so easily?)
When I think flexibility, I think about being limber, responsive, resilient. Resilience is a big ask right now; it’s a state of being I don’t often dwell in now but would like to walk my way back to. One of the ways I’m doing that is by focusing on small, super-practical stuff. I’m reminding myself that I can make needed adjustments—by reconfiguring my calendar or my posture—when it’s clear that I need them. I can take satisfaction and maybe even pleasure in resuming my doorway sports injury exercises and six-minute yoga videos. Now that I’ve re-established the habit, they’re saving me.
There’s a reason we do this as a community: I know I’m not the only one who would very much like to hear what’s saving your life right now—or, if that question feels like a bridge too far, what’s keeping your head above water. Would you tell us?
What’s saving your life right now? Tell us below, or link to your own blog or Instagram post below in the comments section.
91 comments
Love this practice—I appreciate how you do this every year! Yoga made an appearance on my list too!
https://under-the-lintel.blogspot.com/2025/02/whats-saving-my-life.html
Anne, I’m so thankful to you for introducing me to the routine of writing out what’s saving my life. I’ve participated for years, and never has it been more vital than in my current season as I focus on surviving the “mom to four kids” life. My baby was born last August, and while he’s amazing, he’s also very needy and the transition to four has been harder than expected. (After twins I thought a singleton would be a breeze. . . now I’m eating my words!) So my list this year is all about the baby gear and mindset shifts and rhythms that are currently keeping me afloat.
https://kendranicole.net/a-few-things-that-are-saving-my-life-this-winter/
It always seems like little things are saving me. It is never big things. Here is my list https://myviewofthehoneypot.blogspot.com/2025/02/what-is-saving-me.html
Oh gosh, stretching is something I have let slide too. Thanks for the nudge to start again.
My list includes everyday things that make day-to-day life a little easier and some new habits that are also helping. Thanks for this post so we can all share!
https://www.sincerelystacie.com/2025/02/whats-saving-my-life-february-2025-edition/
At the end of a caregiving day, it’s Poirot/ David Suchet and a piece of chocolate enjoyed on the couch with my cat.
I really love this practice and your question about stretching struck me similarly to the way it did when your friend asked you. I used to…I love to, but I haven’t lately. I turned 40 a few months ago and the last six months (even a little before my birthday) a whole host of interesting changes with my body. It’s exciting, new, and I’m eager to learn more.
What’s been saving me lately is researching and talking to people who have been through this stage of life. My book club is a group of ladies that spans four generations and I am so grateful for our meetings where we talk deeply about our book and also get to connect it to our own lives.
Hello Anne,
I’m new to your Website but I think it is a great idea to stop in Mid winter, the darkest shortest days of the year, to take stock of what is happening in your life.
For me it has been months of frustration to try to understand and use the internet (that might even be the wrong word to use because I am such a beginner) and connect to the world wide web so I have to stop and realize what a wonderful life I have had these eighty plus years and get up from my computer and go hug my husband.
Hi @Lorraine – Welcome! I started my 80 plus journey last month, so I felt moved to touch base. I love this website and the fact that there are readers of all ages, even 80 somethings. 🙂 Taking part in the classes and events on MMD is some of what has saved me this winter. How about you?
Hi Mary Lou,
I haven’t done those things as I am still new but another thing that makes my day is the view of the skyline of the city of Manhattan from our apt. on the fifteenth floor. It is different every day–the way the sun hits the buildings and the sky is so blue on a sunny morning after a rain or gray on a foggy day. I delight in seeing the the clouds endlessly arrange themselves in different patterns and colors especially at sunset when the sky is set aflame.
Dear Lorraine,
Well, you are on this website, writing and answering letters, so I’d say you are doing pretty well! Learning computers at 80 is not for the faint of heart! So much to learn. Keep it up, you will enjoy it. My mother learned to google in her 70s, and she could spend hours just looking up things. It was like magic to her.
Also, I love what you said about the ever-changing skyline views you have of Manhattan! How great to appreciate that every day.
I am also in my 80’s, don’t know how I got here so quickly. What’s saved me this winter is caring for a puppy and reading two heartfelt books: “My Beloved Monster: Masha, the Half-Wild Rescue Cat Who Rescued Me” by Caleb Carr and “The Dirty Life: A Memoir of Farming, Food and Love” by Kristin Kimball.
The winters in both books made me appreciate my warm cozy home so much!
Each morning, I do a short physical therapy routine for my bone spurs then walk 8 flights of stairs to the jacuzzi and do a stretch routine there. This is what starts every morning for me.
Later in the day, I have a fitness class or yoga class. It helps keep me balanced.
I finished and published my book last fall and haven’t started my new one (okay, I’ve got 37,000 words but haven’t worked out my plot yet) and I need to get going on that again.
There are a few novels that I reread from time to time, and the last one I reread was the Connie Willis novel Crosstalk.
I love Crosstalk so much. It’s a great reread.
This is off topic. Have you recently changed web hosting providers? I’m getting more tracking cookies from the MMD website than from any other site that I visit, and I visit a lot. Thanks for checking.
Terry, we haven’t made any changes so I don’t know why that would be. I’ll ask our web people—thanks for letting me know.
Weekly appointment television is back! It’s fun to wind down each weekend with a new episode of All Creatures Great and Small and also have the excitement of Thursday being “oh it’s The Pitt day!” Then in a couple weeks, it’s buzz buzz buzz with Yellowjackets!
Thank you so much for this post…cannot wait to read other people’s comments. Hugging my grandchildren…along with hugging everyone I love. Reformer Pilates which i started about 18 months ago. I am so uncoordinated and not in great shape but I am improving and love this practice. It is so soothing and I feel my core becoming much stronger which is so helpful as I age. Meaningful friendships is something I value more now than ever. A few other things; homemade vegetable soup, trips to Trader Joes, attempting to learn Mah Jongg.
COVID restrictions caused me to start the Essentrics Aging Backwards stretching program of twenty-five minutes a day. I’m still sticking with it even though I have aged forward to 80.😄 Beautiful outdoor settings and I’ve reached the point where I can listen to a book simultaneously!!!!
Hi Barbara,
I too started the same stretch videos at the start of the pandemic and never stopped. I’ve done one six days a week for almost four years. I have “very severe scoliosis “ and recently saw a spine specialist who took an X-ray to see if my curvature had worsened since the last one in 2021. It had NOT changed significantly and she credited that to my exercise regimen! 👍🏻😃 I am 79 years old and 4’8” (I’ve lost 41/2 inches!!) I loved reading your comment as I often wonder if anyone else is using this wonderful set of DVDs.
Best to you!
To you also! Good news on a gentle way to better health!!!
Last May I started going to Essentrics/Aging Backwards classes twice a week at our Y. I started as a way to gently ease back into shape and prevent some sedentary stiffness from worsening. I LOVE it so much that I’ve stuck with it, even at 5:30 or 6:30am. I love the mix of fluid stretching and strength, and my body feels better than it has in several years. I’ve noticed improved posture, core strength, balance, and mobility. I’m 52 ( maybe youngest in my class:-), which is refreshing. The seniors in class inspire me. I’ve also started doing PBS Essentrics “Classical Stretch” at home a couple of mornings, but love our certified Y instructor even more. Essentrics and the post-it note on my work computer monitor reminding me to drink water and periodically stand up/move are what’s saving me this winter. And audiobooks, of course!
Love Classical Stretch! I didn’t realize there are actual in person classes. I will look for them in my area 🙂
Just wanted to add my endorsement of Essentrics Classical Stretch. I’ve done Miranda’s videos for a few years now (Season 8 & Season 9). Each video is over 30 episodes that are 23 minutes each. You get a variety, plus you can go back and redo them to get more familiar. However…I came across the Essentrics Facebook Page, and from there found my way to the website, where I signed up for a one year membership. It was a special offer, and it’s costing me $10 per month. The website is packed with dozens of videos, each with a different focus, different time length, different instructor. Okay, enough with the free advertisement. What’s saving my life right now is that I love winter. Not a popular opinion right now, but there it is. I sit in my living room where my chintz and check pillow covers I sewed are piled on the sofas. I’m surrounded by my thrifted treasures, ivy plants, family and heirloom furniture, botanical prints, and I feel hugged and comforted. There may or may not be snow on the ground; bonus points it if it’s actually snowing. I’m reading books that hold no personal improvement value in the least, and am transported to lands and ways of life I know nothing about. Oh, and Harney & Sons Hot Cinnamon Spice Tea. Amazon delivers it by pallets to my front porch.
I love the Aging Backwards method of stretching. It seems to be more effective and longer lasting than yoga or just plain stretching.
I wrote about this last week on my Substack last week. Just writing it was an exercise in life-saving.
I linked to my article in the wrong place… I love this practice!
https://open.substack.com/pub/jannawith2ns/p/what-is-saving-your-life-right-now?r=38n3i&utm_medium=ios
Deep intentional breaths and genuine prayer straight from the soul, looking for beauty and naming it, hugs, and dog rubs.
As a Canadian in the US, right now what’s saving me is the newsletter my mum and I have about the books we read and love. It started as a way to make sure our long-distance mother-daughter relationship stayed strong, and now as we dive into this year’s theme (food, and books about food and nourishment and love!), I am so thankful for this outlet and community of fellow readers. Books can and do heal, and in this tense time between the two countries we call home, cross-border collaboration is saving our lives right now!
Definitely! Our BookStarrs Substack has been a true lifesaver. Beautiful things happen when neighbours cooperate and create!
I love that you have themed reading with your mom!
Saving me in this particularly challenging winter season:
Pantsuit Politics podcast to make sense of the chaos, romance audiobooks to escape the chaos, tv shows New Girl and Shrinking to laugh, Evlo Fitness to strengthen my body and relax my mind.
Yes to Pantsuit Politics – definitely helping me process the barrage of scary news.
I have a calendar on the fridge with a sharpie next to it. On my morning dog walk, I try to notice what is in flower for the first time and note it down. I’m really not naturally observant so this grounds me and gets me out of my head. Each month I also add garden tasks so when I have a few minutes, I go see if there’s a quick job I can do. I’m off to start pruning my hydrangeas!
Love this practice!
Putting my desk in front of my window is what’s saving me right now. Combined with the lengthening of days I get 30mins-1h of “lizard time” in the afternoon while I work, basking in the little bit of sunlight. I try to combine that with more regular use of my walking desk when I’m working and its made a world of difference in my mood.
In addition to human connections that are meaning everything to me right now, I have started a new morning routine of doing my yoga as soon as I get up (I am a big fan of the Down Dog app), then my morning pages, then work on a daily creative project. This all takes about two hours and perhaps the best part is that I refuse to check the news or society media until I’m finished with the routine. News brings anxiety, but I feel like I can’t be a good citizen with knowing what’s going on. Putting it off for a few hours while I ground myself is what’s saving my life.
It’s interesting. I immediately thought of stretching in less literal physical ways and more psychological ways. I’m definitely needing more physical stretching but also in my mind, attitudes and pursuits.
Never thought that I would be leaning so hard on middle grade fiction but it is saving my life right now. Especially on audio-like someone is reading me a story that just lets me drift along. It just asks me to listen unlike my adult reading which requires a bit more work whether print or audio. I have been a nurse for 42 years and last week was the worst week I have ever experienced in my professional life. Kate McKinnon and Millicent Quibb provided me respite if only for a bit.
Michelle,
I’m so sorry to hear about your hardest week. Sending kind thoughts, care and prayers.
Thank you for what you do as a nurse – nurses are often the glue that holds things together. I hope your work life improves.
I also adore middle grade fiction. I must recommend The Vanderbeekers series, if you haven’t read it yet. Take care:)
I am a hard wired “fixer”. It’s a source of anxiety for me, since most people just want me to listen to their problems, not offer suggestions! If I can’t help them, it’s a source of worry. So I am unexpectedly being saved by Mel Robbins new book: The “Let Me Theory”.her approach immediately resonated with me and I am slowly absorbing her good advice, real stories, often funny, and already planning on rereading it as soon as I finish. I’m reading fast, gulping her advice, so I need a second chance to fully absorb her wisdom.
Two cordless essential oil diffusers on my kitchen table and coffee table!
I think what’s saving me lately is LIGHT! Winter can be a dark and dreary season, and I deal with seasonal mood issues. We’ve had a stretch of decent sunny days and it’s made such a difference in uplifting me. I’m also enjoying cozy lamps in the evening, and some light-up trees decorated for Valentine’s Day and nestled over my kitchen cabinets. Sometimes it’s nice just to sit in front of my south facing window and feel the sun on my face for a few minutes.
It’s frigid cold here on Cape Cod. But there’s more than enough going on inside to keep me content … and I’m happily sharing these 6 little sparks of joy with you today.
https://lindastoll.substack.com/p/whats-saving-my-deep-mid-winter-life
I love reflecting on this question especially with the season of life I am in as a soon-to-be first time mom. What’s truly saving my life right now is good audiobooks, short & meaningful conversations with friends/family and my part-time coaching job. These are all things that give me solace, laughter and a purpose when my full-time job isn’t cutting it.
Funny–I was just talking to my husband the other day about the fact that we both need to start regular stretching again. Today’s the day! My intention is to get back into my stretching, walking, and weight training practice that I was following a year ago, but adding one element at a time.
I also VERY much resonate with the fact that losing a parent impacts your life long after the initial shock passes. My mom died 5 1/2 years ago, but I just lost my Dad in December 2024, and my sister and I are in the process of addressing all of the legal and financial responsibilities.
What’s saving my life right now, in no particular order:
Daily meditation and journaling (I use the Calm app)
Weekly video chats with my life coach
Coffee shop dates with my husband
Easy sheet pan and crockpot cooking
Plugging back in to my faith community
Play dates with my grandchildren
And of course–daily reading 🙂
I have unknowingly been battling perimenopause since roughly 2016, but was being consistently dismissed because I was “too young”. Then I happened upon Dr Mary Clair Haver on the Mel Robbins podcast. It was life changing. I found a menopause specialist and am beginning to get my life back on track. I’m listening to everything I can by Dr Haver and it is saving my life.
Melinda, I just lost my dad in December of 2023 and it definitely does change your mindset and priorities over time. You just see the world differently I think. Hugs to you on your loss (and the loss of your mom) and good luck with the financial piece of all of it. It isn’t for the faint of heart.
January was a rough month for me and I’m just starting to feel like I’m coming out of my post-holiday funk. One thing that helped was to lean into simple domestic tasks I love, like meal planning, grocery shopping and cooking and the joy I find in an orderly, well-stocked fridge and pantry. I also decided my puzzle stash needed to be refreshed so I ordered four new ones and set aside four I already own to be purged.
Perhaps the biggest thing was realizing the system I use for planning my work week and days was no longer working as it doesn’t fit my current role. This week I’m using a different system of task organization and am eagerly awaiting the new planner I ordered last week. Exciting stuff!
Nothing is ever the same after the death of your mother. Trying to find your way in the world that seems unmoored in many ways takes patience. If your experience is anything like mine, when you look back you won’t be able to remember a lot of what happened in this past year. Grief has its own timetable and cloaking methods. Sending you huge amounts of angel teams to bring you strength and patience.
It’s actually just one major change that’s saving my life right now and it’s turning off the news when it becomes overwhelming. I became addicted to the news during the pandemic and although I watch less, it was still too much for my mental health, especially lately. I instead turn on music and my dog and I dance it out. Luckily I live alone, because both the pug and I are terrible dancers.
I’ve recently returned to Physical Therapy, and she asked “Are you still doing yoga? That seemed to be helping you so much before.” Much like you, I had let life (and chronic pain) get in the way and I just got out of the habit, so I started back a few weeks ago, and it feels so good. Makes me wonder why I ever quit. It doesn’t fix the pain, but it definitely increases my flexibility and movement, and it knocks the pain down a couple notches.
The other things saving my life have been learning to crochet, limiting my online Facebook and gaming time, and finally making a habit of reading my Bible daily. I’m starting my day with 20 minutes of stretching/yoga and 20 minutes of Bible reading, and it just starts every day off better.
I turned 60 last year and noticed how inflexible I was-body wise, not brain wise. I recently read a review of the Bend app in the NYT. I got it and really like it and I’m noticing improved flexibility. I even figured out how to make my own custom routine.
I usually struggle with doing this things like this but recently figured out code words to say to myself get started. I used to not be a flosser(20s) but once I was, it made a huge difference in my dental visits! So now I tell my self, it’s like flossing, it takes a while but stretching will make a difference!
Your question of have you stretched lately definitely hit a chord with me. I really need to incorporate stretching on a daily basis. Thanks for bringing it up
Love this post, Anne! I’m a huge fan of yoga and take a weekly class in my community. Since once a week isn’t enough, I’ve also discovered Yoga with Adriene on YouTube. I highly recommend her. She has a ton of yoga routines available for every area of the body, some short and some longer. I can’t tell you how many times her short neck-and-shoulder routine has saved the day! I also love the concept of “stretching” in other areas of our lives. I’m doing some soul searching on that one.
Love this annual post! What’s saving me: twice a week I do yoga on Zoom with two of my dearest friends; we use Yoga With Kassandra to lead our practices. I have a weekly book club–we check in with each other and chat and then read in silence together most weeks; on the last meeting of the month we discuss our book; I make sure that when I do my morning pages, I’m seated near a window that lets me see trees against the brightening sky.
I actually wrote about this on my blog this week titled: “It’s Me Time’. It’s not to be selfish, taking time for myself–in particular, to run or move my body- makes me a kinder, more generous person. I’ve actually said no to meetings lately if they interfere with my CrossFit class. I think it’s hard for us, as women, to say no and it has always been a work in progress for me. I always go to bed early to give myself time to wind down and to read–something else that is ‘my time’.
Love this, Anne. Such great reflections on flexibility. And you know I love this question so much! Here’s my list: https://katieleigh.wordpress.com/2025/02/03/saving-my-life-midwinter-2025-edition/
I look forward to this post every year. I had to dig deep to find the answer this year but I think it has simply been perseverance and hope that the cold dreary January won’t last forever. The usual things that typically help me get through this time of year just haven’t brought the usual joy in my life like years past. February has brought me the hope of spring, longer days and the occasional day of warmer temperatures. What’s saving me today: taking a quick trip over the weekend, sunshine, warmer temperatures, longer days, walking outside again, my 10 minute morning yoga on YouTube with “Yoga with Kassandra” and my new instant milk frother and steamer.
Thank you for this! My automatic car starter, protein powder, fun backgrounds by everygirl to make the month colorful, celebrating “national days” to add novelty like “National tater tot day” and “National peanut butter day”, Spotify premade playlists, and podcast time during cardio machine workouts!
From the whimsical to practical life feels a bit sweeter.
I turned 65 yesterday and the past year has been one of major upheaval for me. What is saving my life is: I joined a gym a year ago and attended a few times a month which helped a little. Then in October I committed to 3x a week and HEAVY lifting and that is saving my life in more ways than I can state. Last week I started listening to Taylor Swift and similar angsty music while at the gym and that is also saving my right now. Finally, hugs from my grandchildren save me almost every day. I am blessed to live near three of them and I have spent lots of time with the other five this year. They are as life-giving as they are exhausting and I am thankful.
I babysit three 2 year olds. They are all teachers kids, which is a great schedule to have. I live in Georgia and those unexpected snow days we had saved me that week. I had not been sleeping well, and being able to sleep in, saved me. Consequently, babysitting teachers kids means that I have no less than 5 sets of germs coming into my house every day ( four of the parents are teachers and one of the kids sibling is in preschool). Lysol is saving me! And because of those germs, some of us caught the stomach bug, so Liquid IV saved me last week.
At the end of my day, before my husband and son get home from work, I sit down on my couch, turn on Netflix and watch a documentary, have a sugar free drink and relax before I have to think about dinner. That 20-30 minutes is precious and saves me weekly!
I love this practice. I am going to start thinking about what is saving me more often.
When I was teaching, I used this question in the survey I shared with my students at the start of the year. I loved reading their responses. Some were sarcastic – air, breathing and others let me see a little bit of who they were – friends, reading, my mom. Not a high pressure question, but one that helps shine the light on small things about a person.
Honestly, it’s books. They are my escape, my joy, my companions, my “finding like-minded people”, my wisdom, my “things I didn’t know”, my laugh out loud humor, my insight into the wider world….and my hope. (anticipation for the next read!) I love bookstagram, podcasts about books, lists and my reviewing and journaling about books. A little obsessed, OK, but it’s harmless! It is my passion.
Secondly, I have been the lone caregiver for my mother for many years and every single minute I can be home alone, it is saving me. (Naturally, I read!)
And maybe this will be a third next year, but your comment on stretching was right on. I pretty much gave up exercise altogether during the pandemic and never started again. I live in the middle of nowhere and there are no gyms, no tennis courts or rinks, no exercise classes. But one day recently, I stretched to reach something, and thought, OH MY GOODNESS, that feels GOOD!! I think I need to stretch!! While I was reading everyone else’s comments, I did all the stretches I could think of! Feel so relaxed now.
Last fall, I took a mah jong class at a local club. It was something I’ve always been interested in, so I decided to give it a try. I found a lovely group of women who play weekly who were so welcoming! It’s been so much fun during this long, cold winter.
I absolutely love reading everyone’s posts! For me, it’s getting 8-9 hours of sleep. Also, it’s been saving my life to make sure I take a walk each day even if it’s 10 minutes! Quiet time in the morning with my coffee and books has been super important. Right now, I’m reading Father Greg Boyle’s, Cherished Belonging. I text my two adult children each morning to send love for the day which reminds me of the precious gifts I have in my life! For some reason, sleeping with a small heating pad has been a game changer! Go figure! So snuggly😘Lastly, I have treated myself to a virtual personal trainer who is amazing!! Oops…most definitely MMD and Parnassus social media content!
I’ve had a year of needing big things to save me, and I spent a lot of time figuring out exactly what would work. These things have been life-saving, and life-changing. I think I’m going to need them even more in 2025, and I hope my list is helpful for someone: https://www.mindjoggle.com/saving-me-2025/
During the pandemic, Brake Bread, a local bakery did weekly deliveries (on bicycle) of sourdough breads, pastries, cookies, etc. They stopped the weekly deliveries in the fall and somehow I never remembered to go to their physical location. This past Saturday I went to pick up bread and scones from them and it was so nice to have their products back in our house! https://www.brakebread.com. Also we’ve become fans of Professional Women’s Hockey (PWHL) and spend a lot of time following our team (The Minnesota Frost). I attend a lot of theater/dance performances and that community definitely saves my life! I didn’t attend anything until January 24 and that was definitely too long!
For many reasons, this winter is extra hard. What is saving my life right now:
1. Books and reading – an escape from the reality of the current world
2. Our 9 month old kitten – sweet, loving and playful
3. A faith practice
Anne, I’d love if you could share your 6 minute yoga routines. Are they online somewhere? Six minutes seems do-able even on hard days. Thank you!
Yoga with Kassandra and Yoga with Adrienne both offer 5 min You tube videos
My friends support and encouragement as I take on a leadership role in our Friends of our local library nonprofit. It’s a little scary but I’m excited and think it’s going to be a great year!
The Great Pottery Throw Down and figuring out how to watch it on hdclump.com since HBO Max isn’t showing the most recent seasons.
I’ve been working out more consistently the past 13 months but I have also been recently thinking about how I need to work on my flexibility, physically is what I had in mind but my husband would probably argue that mentally it would be good to be more flexible. But on being physically flexible, I’m 41 and I keep telling myself that it’s never going to get any easier to be flexible and it’s up to me to take care of my body. This was a good reminder to get working on that!
My list of what is saving my winter (although I firmly believe spring starts March 1st, nobody can change my mind on this, so it’s more like a “the last month of winter” list for me…although it would have largely been the same at the mid-point of winter too).
I love reading all these comments!
It has been a horrible, horrible January and I was glad to see it end. The things that have been saving me are:
– Winter night skies, especially finding Mars, Jupiter, and Venus along with Orion and other constellations
– The dark outline of trees against the sunset
– Hot tea and a throw blanket
– Stretches in the evenings
– My book club
– Pantsuit Politics is invaluable for helping me process our political situation. As someone who lives in the DC area, a former federal employee, and a teacher, the news has been an added stress on top of extra hard family and health stresses.
I have been laying out my clothes for the next day the night before. Makes a huge difference in the morning. Such a small change with big results.
As a substitute teacher, I always have an outfit ready to go. But, I’ve also started setting out my clothes at night. Even if I am just staying home, because it forces me to get ready for the day and I feel better when I do.
Last year I was in a boot for most of the year and couldn’t do my regular swim routine due to complications from two foot surgeries. It was a bad, bad year. I started doing something new when I woke up in the mornings at 5:30, just to stretch a little. I still continue to this day. I go outside with the dogs, without a coat, no matter the temperature, and reach my hands to the sky. I study how the light is changing and notice if I can see any stars. Then I touch my toes, dangle there for a little bit, and the dogs start licking my face. I stand up and do some twists. I love this ritual!
Also—board games with my husband. Specifically, Wingspan and Everdell! Thanks, Anne!
What’s saving my life now are libraries–expecially Los Angeles Public Library system, whose head librarian was just chosen 2025’s “Librarian of the Year” by Library Journal. https://www.libraryjournal.com/story/city-librarian-john-szabo-is-ljs-2025-librarian-of-the-year (And this was even before the L.A. fires.) Mentioned in article is LAPL service that can be accessed from all 50 U.S. states.
Recent blog post on library’s website recommends some titles expressing that spirit of helping community they serve: https://www.lapl.org/collections-resources/blogs/lapl/los-angeles-transforms One recent title fits in with Black History month & (re) building in LA, picture book CURVE & FLOW: the elegant vision of L.A. architect Paul R. Williams by Andrea J. Loney.
Other titles describe rich sense of community in this city that people who don’t live here are often unaware of, and so may only know limited stereotypes about the 2nd largest city in USA. For more reading suggestions about multi-faceted, fascinating LA, see lists for last year’s SRP program theme “Summer with the Library: L.A. Dreaming” https://www.lapl.org/summer
Daily walks with the dog, even when it’s cold, but not when it’s pouring.
More time to catch up on my reading. Right now, I’m enjoying The Wilderking Series (for kids), because I still love books for kids best.
Morning teecino with nutpods (a new to me find), sewing and planning for new sewing projects, writing, and most definitely, looking forward to All Creatures each Sunday along with Meg.
The drive to school where I ask my son, “do you want to talk or think” and we either chat or listen to Vince Guaraldi (of Peanuts music fame) in companionable silence; my husband who does small important things to make my day better; WV Public Broadcasting’s classical music show 12-2 weekdays; my family; the new to me Melanie Travis mystery series; making the effort to look for acts of everyday democracy in my local community; and several wonderful archivists across several libraries graciously answering my questions for a project I am working on.
What saving me this week is knowing I will be in Flordia next week. I am in NYC so really happy for the warm weather and time with my parents. I dealing with a sore throat and cold this week while also working. What been helping with that is following don’t overthink it. I’ve been repeating the same thing for Breakfast, Lunch and Dinner. The lack of thinking about it has provided an ease that I really need, also been getting to bed on time each night and accepting that I can’t excercise this week. Pluse having a good book to read and the arrival of my BOTM selections to read next week on vacation.
I gosh am probably your only follower here from Africa.The weather is absolutely hot this time of the year, I am sweating. But what has been saving me right now definitely would be :morning journaling and day planning. I am an avid planner for sure so this helps me feel in control. Also I find spending time in prayer and scripture rejuvenates my spirit. My reading culture saves me all the time too, am reading:The Golden couple by Greer Hendricks and Sarah Pekkanen and a self help book:Finishing strong by Steve Farrar. All in all am doing alright I just need a good Pilates trainer on Youtube, someone please recommend one i can watch.
Move with Nicole is my favorite for pilates on Youtube!
oh thank you Megan, I will definitely check her out.
I love this practice! Some of these ideas are things I definitely need to start doing, especially the intentional stretching!
Here are the things that are saving me right now: https://www.livingonthesunnyside.com/whats-making-me-happy-right-now-2025/
Music is the number one thing – I listen to Tim Janis a GREAT deal — I find it soothing and music is playing almost 24/7 in my house. Sometimes I play other music — jazz or show tunes or country or what is now oldies rock n’roll to dance or sing or reflect my mood but the piano music is for anxiety, relaxing, going to sleep, etc.
Walking as much as I can (can’t always manage it on dialysis days. Reading –14 books already this year and 3 in progress and currently I am reading thrillers and fantasy. I tripped in Mrs. Pollifax an old series about a 60+ year old who goes to Langley and becomes a spy (I am 76) so I have found this amusing and most distracting on Aaudible so lots of headphone time and the first 4 have been FREE! A plus.
Being extremely aware of how I am physically reacting to the news and keeping an eye on my bp and watching my protein intake.
I am currently very, very active locally in politics — I can no longer sit by.
planning on Marching in Washington– madder at my government than anytime since Vietnam.
I love watching these one minute views into parks around the world.
oneminutepark.tv
Several things are ‘saving my life’ right now & they can be grouped into three categories, starting with the obvious:
Warm and cozy – new Wicked slipper from LLBean, cozy footrest under my desk with a pocket for your feet (that’s where my feet are right now), heated mug so I’m drinking more water than usual at this time of year (when it’s even more important). In this year’s effort to embrace winter, I’m also lighting a candle each morning and put timers on lamps so the house is not so dark, plus the candle smells divine.
Staying connected – scheduling get togethers with friends in advance (and not rescheduling) so weeks don’t go by & we haven’t seen anyone. KU game at our house. Breakfast at Milton’s last Thursday. Boulevard Bingo last Sunday. And a few more I need to get on the calendar!
Boundaries with my schedule and routine, and with the dogs. I’m working on time blindness (more later) so I’ve set up analog clocks and timers everywhere. An awful alarm goes off every weekday at 5 pm that I have to get up and turn off, to get me away from by desk rather than scrolling after work. We’re re-dedicating to our regular daily walks, even when it’s really cold, trying to get outdoors when possible. For the dogs, that’s too long for now but it’s getting back to basics with clicker training (huge success), out of the kitchen when we’re in there, & teaching Sully that yes, he can wait, even when he doesn’t want to. And yoga – every weekday and some weekends! The best way to switch gears at the end of the work day.
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