Like most of us I find it easy to agree that seeking awe and wonder on a regular basis seems like a good way to live. We’ve all seen the magic that happens when children light up with excitement whenever they encounter something new. But let’s face it, as we get older, we’ve been […] You're reading How & Why To Become a Wonder-Seeker an article written by Kathy Gottberg and posted on: SMART Living 365 ..read more

Years ago, Thom and I scaled back our living space and rightsized. That conscious choice was to sell our larger home and buy one nearly half the size.  Our decision not only saved us a significant amount of money—more importantly, it gave us the peace of mind and freedom to live in a way far […] You're reading How Many Rooms Are in Your Home? an article written by Kathy Gottberg and posted on: SMART Living 365 ..read more

For as long as I can remember I have always encountered a new year with optimism and hope. Even when Y2K or the Mayan 2012 (remember them?) loomed on the horizon and then passed, I continued to believe that any obstacle we faced in a new year could be overcome by either going over, around, […] You're reading The Art of Living: 10 Strategies for a Happy and Hopeful New Year an article written by Kathy Gottberg and posted on: SMART Living 365 ..read more

I am proof positive that a person can be a semi-minimalist, anti-consumer, nonreligious, childfree person who lives in the desert southwest where it never snows, and STILL love Christmas. That’s because I don’t equate the holiday season with any of those labels. To me, Christmas is a time to celebrate the life I have been […] You're reading Quotes & Thoughts To Get You In The Holiday Mood! an article written by Kathy Gottberg and posted on: SMART Living 365 ..read more

           Have you ever wondered how some people seem to get crankier the older they get?  Have you ever worried that you might become one of them?  Ever since we began staying in a 55 or older community, I have noticed that a few people seem downright cranky at their age.  Luckily, the vast majority […] You're reading How Not To Become a Cranky Old Person an article written by Kathy Gottberg and posted on: SMART Living 365 ..read more

During the last few months I’ve chatted with a few other bloggers who like me, have been blogging for a very long time.  The question about whether to continue seems to be popping up a lot.  And while I fully intend to keep blogging, others aren’t so sure.  Obviously, the entire field is changing both […] You're reading Trade-Offs, Priorities & Choices an article written by Kathy Gottberg and posted on: SMART Living 365 ..read more

One of the things I’ve enjoyed the most from our time here in Mexico is the amount of friendship we’ve generated in the last two months.  Of course, while the local Mexican population here in Ajijic is friendly and accommodating, nearly all our new friends are expats like us.  Sure, the area on the lake […] You're reading Community and Companionship: Ajijic’s Recipe for Creating Friendships an article written by Kathy Gottberg and posted on: SMART Living 365 ..read more

Since turning 68, I’ve been increasingly interested in what it means to grow older in a vibrant and purposeful way. Much like my work with rightsizing, I see aging not as an inevitable loss or sacrifice, but instead as an opportunity to get to the heart of what really matters to each of us as […] You're reading Growing Whole While Growing Older & Wiser an article written by Kathy Gottberg and posted on: SMART Living 365 ..read more

As I’ve shared before, I am (almost) always up for a new adventure. I like exploring and my curiosity about people and places guides me forward.  But something I consider nearly as important to me is getting together with other people and talking about subjects that matter.  Whether they are friends or just acquaintances, the […] You're reading Connecting With Others Through Meaningful Conversation an article written by Kathy Gottberg and posted on: SMART Living 365 ..read more

As I’ve shared before, I am (almost) always up for a new adventure. I like exploring and my curiosity about people and places guides me forward.  But something I consider nearly as important to me is getting together with other people and talking about subjects that matter.  Whether they are friends or just acquaintances, the […] You're reading Connecting With Others Through Conversations That Matter an article written by Kathy Gottberg and posted on: SMART Living 365 ..read more