My in-laws stayed in our 1-bedroom apartment for over a month. It was hard to be productive, so I had to set boundaries.

Tech Insider : Business
A couple walking into an apartment with suitcases, they are standing on the deck and walking toward the door.
The author's in-laws (not pictured) stayed with her and her husband when they came to America for their annual vacation.

Milko/Getty Images

I sent a letter to a deployed soldier to thank him for his service. We are now celebrating our 29th wedding anniversary.

Tech Insider : Business
soldier reading letter among war
The author (not pictured) sent a letter with cookies to a soldier she had never met before.

Virojt Changyencham/Getty Images

I left my director job at Meta after becoming my dad's caregiver. Here's how I'm helping people like me.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
mom and dad posing for photo
Shauna Sweeney became her dad's caregiver when he was diagnosed with early on-set Alzheimer's.

Courtesy of Shauna Sweeney

I used to hate slow walkers. Then I got sick and I became one of them.

Tech Insider : Business, Travel
Subway commute in NYC
The author (not pictured) was diagnosed with a cardiac issue and could not raise her heartbeat.

lechatnoir/Getty Images

I spent summers in Transylvania with my grandfather when I was little. Now he's 97, so I moved there to be closer to him.

Tech Insider : Travel, Business
Woman and grandfather on train
The author moved to Transylvania to be close to her 97-year-old grandfather.

Courtesy of the author

My twin sister and I decided to buy a house together. I'm getting cold feet, but we put in an offer anyway.

Tech Insider : Business
The author and her twin sister drinking wine outside at a restaurant.
The author and her twin sister live together already and are considering buying a home together.

Courtesy of Issy Packer.

When my husband wanted to retire early, I agreed to do the same. But I hated retirement life, so I went back to work.

Tech Insider : Economy, Business, Travel
A couple arguing at home
The author (not pictured) struggled with early retirement.

janiecbros/Getty Images

We moved to a farm in rural Maine because we thought homesteading would save us money. It didn't.

Tech Insider : Business
Three goats looking through a hole in a fence
The author still keeps goats on her farm, even though she's no longer a homesteader.

Courtesy of Kirsten Lie-Nielsen

My divorced parents live together and it's changed how I look at love

Tech Insider : Business, Sports, Travel
Tricia Patras with her mom smiling for the camera in a bar setting
Tricia and her mom in Michigan for Tricia's birthday last year.

Courtesy of Tricia Patras

I can't wait to turn 50. Shifting my mindset has helped me to not fear aging like I once did.

Tech Insider : Business, Technology
The author standing in a field wearing a navy shirt and brown cardigan and sunglasses with a cloudy sky behind her.
The author is turning 50 soon.

Courtesy of Anna Lee Beyer

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