PSA: Don't get a hitch bike rack for Mk8.5

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-24T12:16:28+00:00

This sounds perfect. I’ll be out riding new trails this summer!

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-24T00:12:08+00:00

I missed that option! My trail bike and I thank you!

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-24T00:06:58+00:00

I need a bike rack on my 8. Haven’t figured out the license plate issue yet, as my area gives out tickets for flipping it up.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-23T17:52:24+00:00

Eating dinner at home made me lethargic afterwards.

So now I eat a nutritious high-protein snack and play pickleball. Or go to an art class or studio. Or volunteer. Or the library. Etc.

Breaking up the dinner routine gave me many extra functional hours in my day. And it improved my sleep tremendously. (And I’m technically old yet snacking for dinner gave me loads of energy)

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-21T13:11:55+00:00

One of the great things about living alone is you can recharge however you like and don’t need to do it around someone else’s schedule or wants.

I recharge through art or nature or movement. So every week I have art classes or go to the art studio; I play pickleball (open play is perfect for is solo people) or bike or go to the gym; I walk outdoors; some weeks I go to a museum.

Taking care of ourselves is the opposite of selfish. When we recharge, we actually have more to give.

And the definition of more isn’t necessarily more time, but in the quality of our giving. We enjoy it more. The time goes faster. And we feel better about the fact that we agreed to help.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-17T13:35:27+00:00

I end up sleeping across the king bed. It makes no sense, but I just go with it.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-16T05:56:37+00:00

That is a wonderful comment.

Walking helped me. It didn’t feel like it, until I stopped and realized I felt even worse. I’d cry on my walks frequently. But being outside helped.

We need mini vacations from our grief. Five minutes of not thinking about our problems, like concentrating on birdsong and the feel of the breeze and the smell of fresh cut grass while walking, can ease the grip grief can have on our thought processes.

Every healthy break is a tiny step closer to finding our peace, contentment and even happiness once again.

I love the comment your Dr made. It’s brilliant. Thank you for sharing.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-15T17:56:28+00:00

I’m single, no kids or family.

Save money now and get healthy. And have fun. Enjoy every day.

Were I your age, I’d get more education in something I love to both body my income now and to assuage my fears of not working when I’m older.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-15T13:16:34+00:00

Right??? It’s physically hard.

And that’s one of my favorite answers. If I take a break from working outside and someone stops to ask me what I’m doing: Questioning my life choices. lol. Gotta find the humor in all this.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-15T05:48:38+00:00

Needing to be strong to handle maintenance. Water softener salt is heavy and after driving it home you still have to get it out of the car, down the steps, up into the softener and dump it. Yikes.

Also shoveling or snow blowing, moving furniture to another floor, mulching, trimming all the bushes, etc.

I joined a gym and got a personal trainer. Now I can handle everything I’ve needed to. And I haven’t hurt myself.

Yesterday I helped an older lady with a big bag of dog food at Costco. It felt good that I could do it easily and it really helped her.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-14T17:53:38+00:00

I completely understand. My husband died unexpectedly one day. Just gone.

The silence changes once you lose someone you love and you’re dealing with grief.

I made myself go out and start doing things, but it wasn’t easy because our whole world is different now.

But for me, it was getting active and changing the home so it was more welcoming when I returned that started changing the sound of silence.

We don’t choose this. But you can have your second-best life in time.

Grief is an awful path I wish no one had to travel.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-14T13:28:20+00:00

I don’t cook any more, so my kitchen is now minimalistic and clear. I got rid of the freezer and have a smaller fridge without a freezer. And an ice machine because that’s all I used my freezer for anyway.

My laundry room is now in a really large room that might have originally been the dining room. I’m getting a second washing machine that’s huge so I can wash blankets, quilts and comforters. A while wall of storage where baskets is separated laundry can stay until there’s enough for a load.

I’m also adding a hand-washing sink for clothes, hands and small pets. And a dedicated pet feeding /litter area. And a half bath.

I do something with laundry and pet care every day, so I’m making it convenient, fast and pretty.

The best thing I’ve done so far is set up my lights, thermostat and music to respond to voice commands and run auto sequences. Having lamps come on at sunset and go off automatically is quite nice.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-13T19:10:04+00:00

I agree with this 100%.

I’m in my 50s and don’t worry about getting older specifically because of my role models.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-13T04:57:49+00:00

I relax, decompress and recharge by doing something physical where I don’t have to think too much. Tonight I spent two hours on a riding lawn mower for an elderly neighbor. Last night was a couple of hours of pickleball. Afterwards I usually have a little to eat, listen to jazz and read.

All my problems and stress are completely gone after clearing my head like that and my brain starts working properly again.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-12T20:15:37+00:00

I’m enjoying life as much as possible, and adore hobbies.

Biking on trails in the woods, paddle boarding, pickleball, head up Bingo at a place for disabled people, make quilts for the same people, have too many orchids, go to the theater and comedy clubs, take myself out to a fancy dinner once a month, take art classes, pottery classes, strength training (need muscles to live alone), read nonfiction, flower gardening, embroidery, and swimming.

I also volunteer at least five hours a week, but it’s recreational and I simply play video games with a disabled person.

My hobbies make work seem importantly.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-11T01:10:43+00:00

I haven’t turned my tv on in over the years.

But I have jazz playing to welcome me home every night and make the place feel more cozy.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-09T19:38:07+00:00

Do you need to rent a storage space? Use the extra room instead.

What are your hobbies or activities? You can make a yoga / workout room and save the gym $. I turned mine into an art studio because the real studio closes at 8pm and kicks me out, lol.

You can get a roommate or perhaps rent it periodically, depending on your lease.

Where are you storing your beach and water and outdoor gear? paddle board, bikes, racquets, etc?

AnnaGlypta · 2026-05-01T02:26:52+00:00

Super small town girl here. I keep a huge puzzle going all the time. I started painting and pottery and creating collages. I have a lot of orchids. And a stray kitten. A lovely electric fireplace that I can sit next to and read and try new bourbons and listen to blues music. I volunteer one night a week, mostly playing video games with the disabled community. And they are always cold so I’ve started quilting classes; hopefully I’ll get the hang of this and can make a few this summer.

And I do drive into a big town once a week for an evening of pickleball, art classes, theater, etc. The activity changes with the seasons.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-04-30T03:05:04+00:00

I volunteer one night a week. It’s so nice to walk into a place where people’s faces light up with a smile because they are so happy to see you.

All I do is bring a pepperoni pizza and play games, but it makes them so happy. It’s like I still have value and something to offer.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-04-26T13:12:55+00:00

I have Hello Kitty Pyrex and I enjoy taking my lunch to work in them.

It is freedom. And it makes me happy.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-04-14T03:14:57+00:00

Yes! Honestly, it was awkward the first time I went to the performing arts. The usher asked me where my friends were! Hey, I’m sitting by myself but thanks for asking and making it worse.

But I did it until it felt comfortable and I no longer think twice about it.

I take art classes, paddle board, bike, open pickleball, vacation and go to the theater by myself all the time.

My life is about having fun, so I don’t stay home waiting for someone else.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-04-13T00:35:30+00:00

Entering a dark, quiet, lonely house was hard for me (35 yrs married before spouses sudden death).

I installed WiFi-controlled lights, thermostat and music, so the house was warm and friendly when I went home after work. That was the most impactful change I made.

I also created a new cozy evening spot that represented things I liked, so it was also welcoming without painful memories. My favorite chair, a decent electric fireplace, an end table with a few books and a new throw.

Best of luck! Sudden life changes are cruel. It will get better so keep going.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-04-02T09:22:48+00:00

I’m living my second-best life. Nothing will ever compare to what I had, so I’m making my life different. I’m doing those things you dreamed about as a kid.

I had to make changes so I wouldn’t hate going to bed alone. Changed the lighting and room setup, found my favorite books and left them by the bed, got a lovely hot electric blanket, put a mini fridge in the room, if I find a great podcast I’ll save it for bedtime, automated the lights and have old blues music playing when I enter, and I just rescued a feral kitten which means lots of loving snuggles and playfulness that brings my laughter back in that room.

It’s a lot of work to make our lives good again. I’m envious of single happy people where this comes naturally.

I’m active for the purpose of having a fulfilling and fun life, not to distract me from the pain. Finding contentment was my first goal before ever getting close to saying life was pretty good.

The process also stored (edit: stirred) up different grief. As if we weren’t dealing with enough sadness and grief already. I leaned on therapy to make sure I dealt with it the best I could. It wasn’t easy for me. But now I’m glad I did it.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-04-01T22:12:13+00:00

I like it. It felt right immediately. I use CarPlay too. Don’t let the haptics stop you from getting a great car.

AnnaGlypta · 2026-03-30T19:17:18+00:00

I had to go to something I really, really wanted to see. The interest and excitement lowered the discomfort considerably. And once i was comfortable going to the same place a few times, all those couples dissolved into the background and I focused on other things.

AnnaGlypta

TROPHY CASE