I have routines, they are important!

I grew up always making my bed. So even when I was recovering from hip surgery, I still at least pulled up the duvet and put the pillow shames over the pillows. I hated that I had to have all my pots and pans pulled out from low cabinets for about 6 weeks because of not being able to bend. I may be the only person who was overjoyed when I could put everything away in its proper place and change my sheets. I am grateful to have made a friend playing basketball who came and changed my sheets (including taking away and laundering the dirty ones) and making grocery runs for me.

Now that I'm retired, I try to sit out on my balcony every morning with coffee and Wordle/Qourdle. It was great to be able to take advantage of the recent unusually warm days because I didn't need to be "at work."

I never go to bed with dirty dishes in the sink, another thing I grew up doing. I now play pickleball twice a week and go to a fiber group meeting once a week. These provide needed routines plus being out and active in the sun. We play outdoors.

Reading this, it occurred to me that I am grateful that I've made enough connection with the other pickleballers to have a couple of people to ask a favor of (help picking up a chair); even if it doesn't work out, I just now recognize that this is something to be grateful for. I keep a "joy jar" with stickies of things that brought me joy and that I am grateful for.

Thanks for triggering these thoughts, nice piece, Colleen!