Why Making Something Simple Feels So Good, What a One-Leg Stand Can Reveal About Aging, and 5 Top Life Insurance Policies for Seniors

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History (Non-Fiction): The Wars of the Roses by Dan Jones – This gripping history recounts the bloody struggle for England’s throne that brought down the Plantagenets and paved the way for the Tudors.

Memoir: Too Close to the Falls by Catherine Gildiner – Catherine Gildiner recalls an unconventional 1950s childhood filled with independence, eccentric characters, and adventures around Niagara Falls.

Self-Help: Stolen Focus by Johann Hari – Johann Hari investigates why modern life is eroding our ability to concentrate and explores what it might take to reclaim our attention.

Romance: Love, Rosie by Cecelia Ahern – Lifelong best friends repeatedly find love, distance, and bad timing standing between them and the relationship that might have been theirs all along.

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A unique satisfaction comes from making something with your own hands, even when the result is wonderfully ordinary. A loaf of banana bread, a knitted dishcloth, a birdhouse, or a handwritten birthday card may never be displayed in a gallery or hailed on the news, but that isn’t the point. Instead of stemming from recognition, the pleasure often comes from the act of creation itself.

Many parts of life involve ongoing responsibilities that are never truly finished. Laundry needs to be washed again the next week. Gardens require routine tending. Emails pour in day after day. Dust resettles, dirt finds its way back inside, and trash refills the bins.

Creating something simple offers a different experience. You begin, you work steadily, and eventually you reach a satisfying conclusion—a defined end point. 

There’s deep satisfaction in being able to say, "That's done,” and that be it.

Many simple projects encourage a slower rhythm than that which fills most days. Measuring ingredients, sanding a piece of wood, arranging flowers, or compiling photographs for a scrapbook demands attention but not urgency. Your hands stay busy while your mind has room to wander, reflect, or simply enjoy the process.

For many people, this slower pace feels refreshing and significantly contributes to the pleasure they derive, both while working and when finished.

One of the pleasures of simple projects is that small imperfections rarely matter. A pie crust may brown unevenly. A handmade scarf might have a few irregular stitches. The tomatoes in the garden won't all be identical or the perfect shade of red.

Those imperfections become part of the charm, as they remind us that something was made by a person rather than produced by a machine. Instead of revealing flaws, these details reflect the effort put into the end result.

People sometimes think of creativity exclusively as artistic endeavors like painting, writing novels, or composing music. But everyday life provides countless opportunities to create:

These activities may seem ordinary, but they all involve imagination, decision-making, and care, and they can all prove fulfilling if done intentionally.

Many simple projects naturally bring people together. Fresh cookies are offered to a neighbor. A knitted blanket becomes a gift for a friend. A refurbished crib is passed down to a grandchild. Herbs from the garden are shared across the fence.

Making is gratifying in and of itself, but it also facilitates opportunities for generosity, which can be rewarding in a whole different way.

Even after the project is finished, the enjoyment frequently continues. Each time you sit in the repaired chair, taste the soup you froze for later, or see flowers blooming where you planted them, you're reminded of the pleasure that came from creating something yourself. The project may have taken only an afternoon, but the satisfaction lingers long after the work is done.

Making something simple reminds us that satisfaction doesn't always come from accomplishing something extraordinary. Often, it's found in creating something useful, thoughtful, or beautiful with care and attention.

We're looking for seniors who are embracing life with enthusiasm, purpose, and adventure. Whether you're traveling the world, starting a business, volunteering, pursuing a passion, learning new skills, or simply making the most of every day, we'd love to hear your story.

Think that might be you?

Email [email protected] with a photo and a short bio. We may feature you in an upcoming edition of Seniors Magazine.

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“The Night My Father Came to the Hospital”
From the life overview of Thomas J., 80, Buffalo, New York. Shared with permission.

I was twenty years old in March 1966. That was when I had my appendix removed. At the time, I thought it was a much bigger event than it actually was. After dealing with stomach pain for two days, my mother finally insisted that I see a doctor.

The surgery itself was uneventful. The only part I remember is waking up afterward in a hospital room with my father sitting in a chair beside the bed. He still had his work clothes on: gray trousers, a white shirt, and the brown jacket he wore when driving to his factory job.

My father didn’t spend much time in hospitals, as he didn’t like them. He also wasn’t particularly fond of talking about feelings. When I opened my eyes, he just said, “You look terrible.”

I laughed, which hurt my stomach.

My mother had called him at work, so he had driven nearly an hour after finishing his shift to be there with me. He stayed until I fell asleep again.

The next morning, he brought me a newspaper and a large chocolate milkshake. The nurse told him I wasn’t supposed to have one. My father looked at her, then back at me, and said, “He’s twenty years old. I think he’ll survive.”

My father died in 1998. I still have photographs of him, letters he wrote, and a few of his possessions. But whenever I think of him, the first thing that comes to mind is that brown work jacket hanging over the back of a hospital chair.

***

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If you've ever spotted something crawling across the porch and wondered exactly what it was, this long-running website is built around that question. You can browse an enormous database of insects or submit clear photographs of your own mystery visitor for possible identification. Along the way, you may discover that some of the strangest-looking creatures in the backyard are also the most interesting.

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Creative writing doesn't require a grand idea for a novel. You can begin with a childhood memory, an interesting person you once met, a fictional conversation, or a description of a place you know well. The important part is getting words onto the page before worrying about whether they're any good.

Give yourself a manageable assignment: write for 15 minutes or fill one page. Try describing your first job, inventing a character who finds an unexpected letter, or writing about a place using all five senses.

If you're stuck for an idea, Writer's Digest writing prompts provide plenty of starting points for fiction and other creative work. The Reedsy writing prompts offer hundreds more, organized into categories such as romance, mystery, adventure, and historical fiction.

Trying to perfect every sentence as you write can bring a promising story to a halt. Give yourself permission to produce an imperfect first draft. Once you've finished a scene or short piece, put it aside for a day or two. When you return, you'll often spot unnecessary sentences, confusing passages, and opportunities to add better details.

For practical instruction, Reedsy's free writing courses cover topics such as developing characters, writing dialogue, plotting stories, and editing your work.

Writing doesn't have to be a solitary hobby. Libraries, bookstores, community colleges, and local arts organizations frequently offer workshops or writing groups. You can also explore Shut Up & Write! to find writing sessions and groups, including online gatherings.

Carry a small notebook or keep a note on your phone for interesting phrases, memories, overheard conversations, and story ideas. You don't need to know immediately what they'll become.

Most importantly, don't wait until you feel like a "real writer" to begin. Writing is the thing that makes you a writer. Start with one page, follow whatever catches your curiosity, and see where the story takes you.

A digital home inventory is a record of the valuable belongings in your home, such as jewelry, electronics, furniture, artwork, tools, and collectibles. Having one can save considerable time and frustration if your possessions are ever stolen, damaged, or destroyed.

After a fire, storm, burglary, or other loss, remembering exactly what you owned can be surprisingly difficult. Photos and written records can help document your belongings for an insurance claim.

Walk through your home and photograph each room, including closets, garages, and storage areas. For higher-value items, take individual photos and record the brand, model, serial number, approximate purchase date, and price if known. Photograph receipts, appraisals, and warranties when you have them.

An inventory isn't much help if the only copy disappears along with your belongings. Store it somewhere you can access even if your computer or phone is lost or damaged.

Options include password-protected cloud storage or an encrypted external drive kept in a secure location away from home. Update the inventory after major purchases and review it about once a year. While you're at it, check whether particularly valuable items have adequate coverage under your homeowners or renters insurance.

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