What do you wish you could do more of every day?

I really appreciate my husband making me coffee in the morning. We can plan out our day & figure out what we’re eating or if we’re going out. The dog often joins us on the couch & the 3 of us hang out.

I like morning coffee during the week & coffee after we’ve gone for a hike or a walk. Just spending that time together is something I really appreciate. To be in the moment in the morning with my husband. I dare say it’s better than the $5 coffee I have out.

I feel that when we have morning coffee it’s like a blank sheet of paper & we can draw or argue or discuss whatever is on our minds. On the weekends we draw it out until we get hungry or the errands & chores we had to do that day catches up with us.

I’d like more time for coffee.

What is one word that describes you?

I have been kind most of my adult life, there was a time in my 20’s that I was bitchy & short with people. Something I regret tremendously as I missed out on some good people because of it.

In my 30’s I learned to be calmer & more content with who I am. I learned to listen & to always thank people for being kind to me. I have been less stressed & kinder as I’m nearing 50. I am no longer as trusting of people as I was when I was younger.

Kind means you care for people but you don’t put up with people that aren’t kind back. I have learned that I’m not into people that are no longer genuine with me, or take my kindness for granted.

Kindness is treating people with respect but having boundaries. You don’t get walked on or used but you maintain your boundaries. That’s who I am now.

What makes you anxious?

I have functional anxiety, something I found out about a few years ago. It means I can complete a task or a situation even though it makes me uncomfortable. Functional anxiety is like a stop light during certain situations it starts blinking yellow.

I live with my anxiety by not having it control what I do or how I do it, simply do stuff I don’t like. Since so many people have come out as expressing concerns when flying it has become almost trendy to have anxiety when you fly.

I have anxiety when I fly but I have a story I won’t share here that has to do with why I get anxious when I fly. I have breathing techniques that I use & EMDR on myself to stop the anxiety from getting the best of me.

I’m not a fan of tunnels but my city is surrounded by them so I listen to music & am always relieved when I find a seat on the bus. Functional anxiety means I can function while still being uncomfortable. Having anxiety means learning how to cope with what I’m experiencing & still flying & riding the buses through tunnels.