by Amy Downing | Mar 18, 2025 | Everyday Tools
Introduction Ever feel like your phone is running your life instead of the other way around? We’ve all fallen into the trap of doomscrolling through news feeds or mindlessly flipping through social media, only to realize an hour has disappeared. But our phones can be...
by Amy Downing | Mar 6, 2025 | Everyday Tools
Have you ever left the house and wondered, “Did I lock the door?” Or worried about who’s at the front door when you’re home alone? A smart home isn’t just about convenience—it’s about peace of mind. With just a tap on your phone,...
by Amy Downing | Mar 2, 2025 | Life After 50
Why Journaling is a Powerful Tool for Self-Discovery If you follow ‘over 50’ or ‘second half of life’ social media groups, read blogs, or listen to podcasts geared toward our age group, you’ve likely heard the same refrain: This is our time of transformation! We’re...
by Amy Downing | Feb 25, 2025 | Life After 50
I live about an hour west of Chicago, in another large Illinois city. For years, my husband and I made the drive south to visit his parents in Champaign, passing through miles of farmland and tiny Midwestern towns—places like Saunemin (population 420) and Strawn...
by Amy Downing | Feb 16, 2025 | Life After 50
At 49, I was in the best shape of my life. After nearly two years of dedicated weight training and intense workouts, I felt strong, lean, and unstoppable. I wasn’t just aging—I was defying it. My body felt powerful, my mind was clear, and I was ready for whatever came...
by Amy Downing | Feb 3, 2025 | Reinvention & Confidence
Book Club: A Slow Read of War and Peace " Read More Embracing the Slow Read: A year with War & Peace Have you ever tried a “slow read” before? I hadn’t even heard of the concept until I discovered it on Gretchen Rubin’s Happier podcast. As a lifelong...
by Amy Downing | Dec 20, 2024 | Everyday Tools
Why a Warehouse Club Membership Still Makes Sense for Empty Nesters Even as a semi-empty nester, I still find a warehouse club membership worth every penny. Since we haven’t downsized our home yet, grabbing essentials like a 32-roll pack of toilet paper is still a...
