Seeing Yourself as Active, Vitamin B12 Deficiency Symptoms, and Why Travel Insurance Matters for Seniors

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Many people over 65 bristle at the phrase “slowing down,” not because life is as fast as it once was, but because it doesn’t reflect how engaged they still feel. Activity doesn’t disappear with age — it simply changes shape. Recognizing that shift can be surprisingly affirming.

Being active no longer means rushing from one thing to the next. It might mean a full morning out — a volunteer shift, lunch with friends, and an errand — followed by a quieter afternoon. The day is still full; it’s just paced differently. Activity becomes intentional rather than automatic.

Many active older adults have standing roles that give structure to the week: a regular volunteer shift, a weekly class, a walking group, or a committee that meets once a month. These commitments require planning, follow-through, and presence. They’re active because they involve participation, not because they’re physically demanding.

Seeing yourself as active often means choosing where your energy goes. You may no longer say yes to everything — but what you do say yes to gets your full attention. Teaching a grandchild a card game, helping coordinate an event, or being the reliable person who opens and closes a meeting space are all forms of active engagement.

Adjusting how you do things isn’t the same as stepping back. Taking daytime classes instead of evening ones, choosing roles that rely on experience rather than stamina, or spacing activities across the week reflects self-knowledge, not withdrawal. Adaptation is how activity continues.

How you describe yourself matters. Saying “I stay involved” or “I keep busy with things I enjoy” tells a different story than “I’m slowing down.” One reflects engagement; the other suggests retreat — even when that’s not true.

Seeing yourself as active reinforces capability and agency. It honors how you move through the world now — with intention, judgment, and choice.

The Corner of the Library
From the life overview of Helen S., 87, Burlington, Vermont. Shared with permission.

In the old public library downtown, there was a corner table that didn’t seem to belong to anyone. Yet somehow, it felt like it belonged to everyone. That table sat near a tall window, where the light changed slowly throughout the afternoon.

When my children were small, I needed a quiet place to sit while they explored the shelves. That was when I first noticed it. The table was usually empty, and from that spot, I could see the front desk, the reading chairs, and the narrow aisles between bookcases.

Over the years, I returned to that same corner more times than I could count. Sometimes, I was waiting for someone. Other times, I was just sitting there reading. Occasionally, I was resting for a moment before continuing the day.

The library itself changed gradually. New carpets, updated lighting, and computers appeared where the card catalogs used to stand. But the table stayed where it was, quietly serving whoever needed a place to pause.

I still visit the library now and then. When I sit at that corner table, the room feels familiar in a way that’s difficult to explain. It’s not the furniture or the books, though.

It’s the feeling that certain places remember you, even when you’ve been away for a while.

***

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The Size of Space
This interactive project represents the solar system at a realistic scale, requiring you to scroll vast distances to move between planets. The simplicity of the presentation makes the experience unexpectedly powerful, offering a quiet, intuitive sense of how large—and empty—space truly is.

Radiooooo
Radiooooo lets you explore music by decade and country, moving across time and geography with a simple interface. It offers a reflective way to hear how popular sound has shifted over generations, often surfacing songs that feel both familiar and newly discovered.

Book of the Day: Make Your Bed: Little Things That Can Change Your Life...And Maybe the World
by Admiral William H. McRaven
Inspired by a Navy SEAL graduation speech that went viral, this short but powerful book shares ten simple principles that can help you navigate life’s toughest challenges. Through personal stories and hard-earned lessons, it shows how small daily habits—yes, even making your bed—can build resilience and create meaningful change.

This daily section is brought to you by MemoirGhostwriting.com, experts in capturing life stories for loved ones and/or the public. We can meet any budget.

Take a few minutes to jot down your thoughts. Even a few sentences are a memory preserved for loved ones.

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Forgetting a password happens to everyone. The good news: most accounts are designed to help you recover access safely—you just need to know where to click.

On the login screen, look for a link like “Forgot password?” or “Need help signing in?” This is your safest path—never try random guesses over and over, as that can lock your account.

You’ll usually be asked to verify your identity using:

Follow the steps carefully and create a new password when prompted. Try to make it something memorable but not obvious (avoid birthdays or “123456”).

If you use email often, you may want to bookmark your provider’s recovery page:

If you don’t receive a code, check your spam folder or wait a minute and request a new one.

If the reset doesn’t work, look for a “Try another way” option. Many services offer backup methods like a secondary email or additional identity checks.

You can also visit the company’s help page. For example:

Avoid calling phone numbers you find in random search results—scammers often pose as “support.”

For extra peace of mind, consider using a password manager. These tools securely store your passwords so you don’t have to remember them all:

A forgotten password doesn’t mean you’re locked out for good. With the right steps—and a little patience—you’ll be back in your account in minutes, not hours.

Cruise deal of the day: 3 Nights Bahamas Cruise - departing November 20, from $255

Unmissable American gem: Hudson, New York is a stylish Hudson Valley town popular with senior travelers for its beautifully preserved 19th-century architecture, renowned antique shops and art galleries, farm-to-table dining, and easy access to scenic riverfront views and countryside drives.

Unscramble the letters to find a famous person, event, or object! Be the first to reply with the correct answer, and we’ll send you a free gift in the mail.

Today’s clue: Trick-taking card game many learned at home.

EHPIOCLN

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