Dr. Laurie Santos, a Yale professor, says money and status don’t make you happier. Instead, she suggests things that contribute to your physical health, such as sleep, exercise and nutrition. And, things that contribute to your mental well-being, such as community, gratitude, mindfulness and finding meaning in everyday life. I read about Dr. Santos’ suggestions […]
Christmas is over
by resolutewoman on December 31, 2022 in change, goals, holidays, Uncategorized
The Christmas tree is still decorated—although our live Christmas tree is getting a bit dry and droopy. Our nutcracker still stands proudly on the table in the entry hall, and our collection of snow globes—some musical and some not—still adorn the coffee table in the living room. However, Christmas is over, and it’s time to […]
Start over again
by resolutewoman on September 24, 2022 in change, goals
Everyone is supposed to make resolutions in January. My friend Fayteen and I used to promote spring as the best season to make new goals. Maybe autumn would be best!? As F. Scott Fitzgerald once said, “Life starts all over again when it gets crisp in the fall!” –Joy
Creating yourself
by resolutewoman on July 26, 2022 in change, character, goals
I found this Bob Dylan quote in The Week—and someone on The Week staff found it in The Minneapolis Star! ”Life isn’t about finding yourself, or finding anything. Life is about creating yourself and creating things.” –Joy
Be positive!?
by resolutewoman on February 12, 2022 in advice, character, goals, optimism, Uncategorized
Test negative. Be positive. I had my patience tested. I’m negative. I heard both of these lines during a Zoom meeting recently. Since then, I’m determined to be more positive—and more patient. –Joy
Think outside your walls
by resolutewoman on January 27, 2022 in courage, goals, health
I am writing letters for Beto, talking to friends on the phone and smiling at everyone I meet when I take my morning walk. I am tired of this pandemic and tired of hibernating, but I am trying my best to stay connected to the world. As John Ruskin once said, “A man or woman […]
Every little girl
by resolutewoman on November 14, 2020 in change, girls, goals
We hope our daughters will have a smoother path on their way to the offices of president and vice president, says Debra Adams Simmons, an executive editor of National Geographic. And, Simmons quotes Kamala Harris: “While I may be the first woman in this office, I will not be the last because every little girl […]
The great harmonies
by resolutewoman on February 19, 2019 in goals, happiness
Reinhold Niebuhr, in his book The Irony of American History, talks about happiness as harmony. “Happiness is desired by all men and women; and moments of it are probably attained by most men and women,” Niebuhr writes. “Only moments of it can be attained because happiness is the inner concomitant of the neat harmonies of […]
Hillary Clinton at 80
by resolutewoman on November 2, 2017 in goals, resolute-women
Hillary Clinton “writes she plans to stay alive to see the first woman become president,” writes Susanna Schrobsdorff in the September 25, 2017, issue of Time. “When I read that, I envisioned her at age 80, back on the Inaugural podium in a white pantsuit….Maybe all those women and girls from all those marches will […]
Let go
by resolutewoman on September 16, 2017 in balance, change, goals
You can’t control everything—although I often try to. “We must be willing to let go of the life we planned so as to have the life that is waiting for us,” Joseph Campbell once said. –Joy
What’s this site about?
We wrote our book and we’re writing our blog because we were frustrated. We were frustrated with experts who try to tell people how to lose weight, raise their children and improve their marriages—and be a success—in 10 easy steps. In three weeks. In one book.
Our self-help book and blog are for grownups—for women who know that there are no easy answers to life’s complex problems—that finding solutions requires some self-knowledge and self-searching and hard work.
We want to help women discover their own answers and live with them as their guide. We want to help you and other women Help Yourself!
We write about making changes and also about many other issues important to women, including families, friends, work and food.