Find a place where you live to have a “sit spot” every day. Ideally outside, but if weather doesn’t cooperate, where you can see outside. You don’t have to do or think anything, just sit (or stand) and enjoy the view. It doesn’t need to be epic, just something you like looking at. (In one of my places, it was the way a particular building interrupted the horizon that I found interesting.) No phone, no computer, no book - just breathe and observe.

It doesn’t need to be for long. Start with two to five minutes. I usually do longer when I can.

Yes, it’s a type of meditation. But a type that works better for this neurospicy gal than sitting in utter stillness or listening to music.

Currently, it’s the picnic table near my bird feeders first thing after waking for my spot. In the morning and evening they are most active, so I sit with a cuppa and enjoy watching them negotiate who eats first while I wake up and caffeinate. It soothes my nervous system in a way notifications and doomscrolling can’t, and makes me better able to handle my day.

Glad to hear it!

We’ve encountered this in both Canada and the US. My boyfriend tells me he’s also felt that double standard in Iceland. We’ll see if that repeats as we see more of Europe eventually.

Randomly holding other people’s children.

They see me as safe. I’m middle-aged, put together and usually knitting. Many times I’ve been traveling and the opportunity to support a harried parent arises. Most don’t even think twice before gladly accepting a hand.

If my boyfriend were to try even cooing at a child he’d be accused of abducting children or similar bullshit. I’ve seen people get weird if he smiles without me nearby That completely infuriates me.