I don’t usually jump into these prompts, but this one caught my attention. I’ve picked up a few new habits over the past few years that have genuinely improved my life, but the one that stands out the most is Mindfulness.

Learning to let my thoughts flow — instead of clinging to them — has changed my life more than anything else. Through mindfulness, I stopped treating every thought or feeling as something I had to solve. I learned to watch them come and go, knowing that nothing lasts forever, not even the hard moments. I can make decisions faster!

That simple habit has given me patience, clarity, and a steadiness I didn’t have before. It’s what allows me to walk through the beautiful scenery here in Newfoundland, open my mind, and feel grounded again.

• I had the fortitude to deal with the steps needed after my mother-in-law passed away last month, especially with all the phone calls.
• It gives me the patience to navigate the estate process in Newfoundland & Labrador, all without anxiety.
• It has given me the fortitude to deal with recent mishaps, such as my name change requiring my birth certificate, which I finally found a record of after 30 years of being told it was lost.

My bank card even expired without me realizing it until I went to use it. The bank told me they’d sent a new one to my old address, cancelled that, and issued another, which I’m now waiting on. Thankfully, it’s only a minor hassle — I just moved the money over to my hubby.

Not much fazes me anymore, as I have learned to just try my best with what I’ve got and let go of the rest.