Holli’s Daily Dose of Connection
As a solopreneur, I often work at the local library—great rent (free!), a short walk from home, and a front-row seat to new research, magazines, and some pretty awesome librarians.
This week, the Kiplinger Retirement Report caught my eye with a headline on “SuperAging.” At the recent PHPR Collaborative Summit, we dove deep into healthspan and longevity, so I was curious. One key takeaway? A strong predictor of SuperAging is meaningful connections with others—especially younger people.
That reminded me of a conversation I had with my friend Holli earlier this week. She’s our marketing maven in Kiwanis and always has her phone out posting event pics. Mid-post, she lit up reading a text from someone thanking her for a “daily message” that hit just right.
Turns out, after Holli’s husband passed last year, she began sending a daily uplifting message—quotes, memes, thoughtful insights—to cheer up a friend…and herself. What started as a single text now goes to over 100 people. Funny Fridays are a fan favorite.
Holli’s messages aren’t just digital feel-goods—they’re connection catalysts. She gets replies like “I really needed that today” and even coded messages from her cousin in Kansas that mean “Call me.” These small notes have become lifelines. They’ve deepened her bonds with friends and family near and far.
And while she now uses an app to manage the growing list, each message still feels personal. Holli says these daily touches have sparked more conversations, more closeness, and a greater sense of belonging.
As someone who’s passionate about the power of connection and belonging for our health and well-being, Holli’s story gave me all the feels—and the inspiration for this blog series.
So tell me—what’s one of your favorite ways to connect? Share your story, and you might just see it featured in a future post.
