Month: February 2026

Style Stealers

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Originally posted at: Natalie Fuller’s Printed Dress

Women of a certain mature age carry a quiet archive of courtesies – small, beautiful habits that once stitched communities together. We learned them from mothers and grandmothers who believed that kindness wasn’t something you felt, it was something you did.

When Handwritten Letters Were All We Had

In my closet sit two hat boxes filled with handwritten notes. Real mail. Stamps, envelopes, ink smudges, the whole thing. I used to wait for letters the way kids now wait for text notifications. And to this day, nothing delights me more than opening my mailbox and finding a handwritten note tucked between the bills.

I remember choosing stationery like one chooses a gift – carefully, thoughtfully, imagining the smile on the recipient’s face. A handwritten note takes time, and that’s precisely why it matters. It says, I paused my busy life to think of you.

Inside those hat boxes are treasures:

• My grandparents’ handwriting, with Grandma Norma calling me her “precious angel #1.”
• Letters from my freshman-year girlfriends from our MAWA dorm, written during a summer when email didn’t exist and long-distance calls were a luxury.
• Air mail from my Austrian pen pal, thin blue paper that crossed an ocean to reach me.

These aren’t scraps of paper. They’re proof of connection. Proof that someone cared enough to sit down, pick up a pen, and send a piece of themselves.

Thank You Notes – Gratitude in Writing

And then there’s the cousin to the handwritten letter: the thank-you note.

A lost art, if ever there was one.

We were taught – by mothers who knew the value of gratitude – that when someone shows you kindness, you acknowledge it. You write the note. You send the thanks. You close the loop. I taught my daughter the same, because gratitude is a muscle, and it needs exercise.

What Else Have We Put Behind?

But it’s not just letters and thank-yous that have faded. There was a time when:

• You returned borrowed dishes full, not empty.
• You returned a borrowed car with a full tank of gas.
• You brought a hostess gift when invited to someone’s home.
• You welcomed new neighbors with cookies or a casserole.
• You held doors open.
• You gave up your seat to someone older, pregnant, or juggling toddlers.
• You removed your hat indoors.
• You stood when someone entered the room.

These weren’t rules. They were respect made visible.

Passing the Torch

When my family visited Disney last November, I was stunned by how few people offered seats on the shuttle to elderly riders or exhausted parents with little ones. And when someone did offer a seat, the lack of a simple “thank you” was just as shocking.

Courtesy used to be the social glue that kept us from bumping too hard into each other. Now it feels like we’re all elbows.

But here’s the hopeful part:

Not all of this is gone.

Every now and then, I see a young person hold a door, write a note, or show up with a casserole, and my heart lifts. Someone taught them. Someone passed the torch.

And that’s the point, isn’t it?

These courtesies survive only if we hand them down.

So, if you know a younger person who simply hasn’t been taught – teach them. Show them the beauty of a handwritten note, the grace of a thank-you, the quiet dignity of good manners.

Imagine the ripple effect if each of us passed along even one of these small acts of kindness.

Imagine the shift in the world if courtesy made a comeback.

Wouldn’t that be something.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

What small courtesies were you taught that you still do today? Which ones have you forgotten out of convenience? Have you taught your children the value of a thank you note?

Many women over 60 come to me feeling frustrated. They tell me they are eating in a way that supports their body, they are moving more, they are finally sleeping better, and yet the scale refuses to budge, or their clothes feel tighter than expected. They immediately assume it must be their fault.

When You Are Doing Everything “Right” But Something Still Feels Off

Often it is not about effort at all. As we age, our bodies respond differently to medication, supplements, and even simple hormonal changes. And because no one teaches women how these shifts can feel, they end up blaming their willpower instead of recognizing what might actually be happening.

You are not imagining it. You are not failing. And you are certainly not alone.

Medication Can Affect How You Feel

This is important. I am not a doctor and cannot give medical advice. What I can say, after working with women for years, is that many notice changes in their appetite, sleep, digestion, energy, or weight after starting or adjusting certain medications. Not with everyone, and not in predictable ways, but enough that it is worth paying attention to.

Some women tell me that medication makes them feel hungrier than usual. Others feel more tired, which makes movement harder. Some notice more bloating or water retention. Some feel calmer or more balanced, which helps their eating habits, while others feel the opposite.

None of this means a medication is “bad” or wrong for you. It simply means your body is responding, and it is okay to notice that.

This Matters More After 60

As we age, metabolism, hormones, digestion, liver function, and sleep all change. The same medication that felt fine at 50 may feel different at 65. This is normal, but it can be confusing if no one has explained it to you.

Women are often on more than one medication by this age, and combinations can feel different than a single prescription. Again, this does not mean they should be stopped or changed. It simply means that if something feels off, you deserve the space to talk about it.

I am always astounded when a woman tells me that her doctor prescribed two or three medications and did not discuss the interactions with her. Or, that her doctor didn’t really explain what side effects might appear. Or, even more upsetting, that her doctor wouldn’t even discuss any other options such as homeopathic or dietary solutions. If you run into this situation, ask your pharmacist for a rundown of everything you are taking. Check with a naturopathic or homeopathic practitioner if you want to investigate other avenues.

Awareness is powerful. It allows you to advocate for yourself instead of blaming yourself.

What You Can Bring to Your Doctor’s Attention

Doctors want to help, but they can only address what they know. Many women stay silent because they do not want to be a bother, or they assume what they are feeling is “just aging.”

Don’t be shy or embarrassed to press for answers. Yes, the internet and AI can provide information, but you do want to talk to a medical professional to make sure what is best for YOU!

Here are supportive, non-confrontational questions you can bring to your next appointment.

• I have noticed changes in my appetite, sleep, energy, or weight. Could any of my medications be contributing?
• If so, are there alternatives, timing adjustments, or formulations that might work better for me?
• Is it possible that different medications I take are interacting in a way that affects how I feel?
• Should any of my supplements be reviewed to make sure they work safely with my prescriptions?
• Would it be helpful to check any labs to see how I am processing my medications?

You are not questioning your doctor. You are partnering with them. That is responsible and empowering. Of course, I have been told by many women that these conversations led them to find a new healthcare practitioner. Remember, this is about your health, your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual wellbeing. It’s okay to take charge.

The Truth About Supplements

The supplement world can be overwhelming, especially when every bottle claims to fix something. Many women take more supplements than they need, simply because they are trying to feel better or cover all bases.

Here is the safest, simplest guidance:

• Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about every supplement you take.
• Make sure nothing interacts with your prescriptions.
• Choose supplements based on real need, not marketing promises.

After talking with my doctor, and doing labs, she told me I was taking more supplements than I needed, and that I should cut out certain ones that are processed through my kidneys.

You deserve clarity. You deserve to feel confident about what you are putting into your body.

What You Can Control That Makes a Difference

Even when medication plays a role in how your body feels, you still have areas where gentle changes can help you feel more in control. Here are a few of them:

• Supporting blood sugar with balanced meals.
• Prioritizing protein throughout the day.
• Gentle strength training for muscle support.
• Better sleep hygiene to calm hunger hormones.
• Stress reduction techniques like breathing or meditation.
• Hydration for energy and digestion.

These are not fixes. They are supports. Your body responds best to consistency, compassion, and calm.

You Are Not Doing Anything Wrong

If your weight has changed while you are doing your best to take care of yourself, it does not mean you have failed. It may simply mean your body is responding to shifts you were never told to expect.

You are allowed to ask questions. You are allowed to advocate for your comfort. You are allowed to say, “Something feels different,” without blaming yourself.

Your body is always communicating. Your job is not to judge it. Your job is to listen with curiosity, get support when you need it, and trust that you are not alone on this journey.

You deserve to feel informed. You deserve to feel empowered.

And you deserve to feel at home in your body, no matter what is in your medicine cabinet.

Let’s Have a Conversation:

Have you noticed any weight gain or mood changes after taking medications? How did you know? What have you done about it?

Style Stealers

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Originally posted at: Dorit Kemsley’s Red Floral Print Robe

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Style Stealers

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Originally posted at: Sutton Stracke’s Burgundy Embellished Chain Confessional Look