#BreakThings: On Aging Parents

02.01.21

Today, is my Father’s 66th birthday. My Mom’s 66th is in two weeks.

My Mom often tells me that she still thinks of me as being 18, because that’s the age I was when I last lived in her home. Conversely, I still think of them as being 45 for the same reason. So when I notice the tell-tale signs of aging — a parent needing glasses, or hearing aids, needing to rest more frequently, etc. — it’s jarring.

These small reminders that my parents are getting older place a new urgency on so many decisions. We want them to be able to enjoy their grandchildren. We want to live closer to them so we can enjoy their company and be available should things go wrong. And we want to take the trips and have the experiences that may some day be impossible or inadvisable.

I know that I am lucky to still have both of my parents (esp. given my Father’s bout with cancer several years ago), but it’s hard to think of your parents as being mortal. So all I can do is celebrate each birthday with them and hope they have many more.

If you have unused vacation days, you should think about using them for a staycation or just to take a mental health day. The Good Trade discusses the real value of vacation days even when you can’t travel. Sure, we’d all love to be in the Bahamas, but a stay in a local hotel or just a day to focus on you is equally valuable to your mental health.

Want to break out your Instant Pot? (Did you know they make one with an air fryer now?) These recipes from Feasting at Home look delicious and easy for a night when you need to let the slow cooker handle the heavy lifting.

This Leith Cardigan is long, drapey and perfect for work from home or work. It comes in several fabulous neutral colors, and has a very enticing $39 price tag. Sizes run 0-16.

When I saw the still image of this TikTok video, the bowls worn as hats seemed unnecessarily comical. But when I heard the guy sing, whoa. Their covers are definitely worth a click.

Our actions, and our lives, can either be lived out of habit or intention. But sometimes, we can shift our habits to bring about positive change in our lives. We talked about the power of focus to change habits in this week’s edition of The Sunday Best, and this Popsugar article recommends 10 apps that help you track your progress at modifying your habits.

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