At 88, my Grandma Elsa hasn’t slowed down one bit.
Every Sunday, she takes the three-hour trip from the Catskill Mountains to New York City with my uncle to work at the farmers market, where she looks forward to seeing her regulars each week.
During the week, she enjoys spending time outside gardening, feeding the hummingbirds, and mowing the lawn.
And, of course, she never misses a Saturday breakfast or Wednesday dinner with her friends.
She credits her sharp mind, active social life, and abundant energy to a handful of daily habits and one quirky rule she swears by.
She starts each day with a nutritious breakfast
Every morning, my grandma starts her day with a strong cup of coffee and a balanced meal. Breakfast has always been a quiet anchor in her morning routine, and it allows her to start her day on the right foot.
She thoughtfully fills her plate with as many colored fruits and veggies as she has on hand, along with proteins like yogurt, hard-boiled eggs, or cheese. She also loves having multiple beverages at once to stay hydrated.
My grandma believes the key to being mobile is staying mobile
My grandma is incredibly active for her age. Along with daily stretching at home, she attends movement classes at her local community center.
She also regularly volunteers at her local senior center, attending community classes and educational talks.
However, staying active doesn’t have to look like a traditional workout. For example, she uses commercial breaks as timers to tackle chores around the house — unloading the dishwasher, tidying the living room, or starting laundry.
This light activity helps keep her house tidy and her body active without feeling too exhausted.
Community is important, and she knows it’s important to be intentional about nurturing relationships
Family is central to my grandma’s life. Every morning, my dad drives to her house to have coffee together. It’s a ritual she looks forward to each day.
Plus, she regularly checks in with family and friends by phone and text throughout the day, and and rarely misses a Saturday breakfast with her friends.
These regular gatherings shared with family, friends, and community members gives her things to look forward to.
She paces her social calendar and doesn’t stack demanding activities back-to-back
My grandma is the OG of protecting your peace. She believes you should take care of yourself and rest when your body needs it.
For example, if she hauls in groceries one day, she skips a fitness class the next. She’s firm that self care means knowing your limits and giving yourself rest between physical activities and social events.
There’s one quirky rule she swears by — driving separately to events
For as long as I can remember — whether it’s dinner with friends or a community event, my grandma will insist on driving separately to avoid the agita of rushing or waiting on others.
She prefers the freedom to come and go on her own, and swears this small act of independence has helped her friendships last over the decades.
Plus, it gives her the freedom to Irish exit whenever she wants.
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