--- title: Making Sure I Stay In Contact With Friends and Family date: 2022-11-12T01:26:31-05:00 author: OBOS Admin canonical_url: "https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-making-sure-i-stay-in-contact-with-friends-and-family" section: "Stories & Conversations" --- [Donate](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/donate) [Stories & Conversations](/stories-conversations)# Making Sure I Stay In Contact With Friends and Family SD discusses aging and her active lifestyle in regard to her relationships. She notes that her relationships with her friends have not changed much. She addresses growing up in a family with less physically active parents and how that might have impacted her mother's health as she aged. ## Transcript **OBOS Today:** So, I guess another question I have is how have your relationships changed as you've gotten older? I know you mentioned that you want to stay active and continue—you want to be able to vacation, but have you seen aging really come into play in terms of your everyday life? **SD:** Um. No, no, not really um the friends that I have—They’re, like in two camps, you know. One are active types and we go on, we see them and we do more active things like snowshoeing and hiking and things like that and the others not so much you know we just kind of hang around and go to the beach or something like that, so no actually that was always the case with those people. That hasn't changed during aging and the people that are not so active and enjoy more sedentary things they’ve just kind of always been like that and they're still like that. And the ones that are active actually do often say like, “Gee I hope I can still do this”. So, there's a little more awareness that oh this takes a little bit of effort, but no those relationships haven't really changed we just want to continue as you know, as we have been. **OBOS Today:** That's great to hear. **SD:** So, I will say, but it is interesting that I come from a family, where they weren't very active—Well my parents, they weren't— There were other people who were active, and I have always been a marvel to my now very elderly mother when— whenever she saw me going even when I was young— Going to exercise or not to exercise, but like a physical thing, “Oh, are you sure you want to do that? Aren’t you tired?” Like yeah, I’m a little tired, but I’ll feel better if I do it. So, I think my family sort of looked at me like an anomaly that you know like, what are you doing? **OBOS:** How, how do you think the— watching your mother age has impacted your vision of aging? **SD:** Well, she's all there—all her marbles are there, but her—she has many physical issues. Some that she would have developed anyway, you know, some that are just unlucky, and you just get these things. But absolutely, I do think if she had led a more active lifestyle, these later years would have been better. There's no question in my mind just no question. So, that's a motivator. ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)Topics - [friendship](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/tags/friendship) ![](/assets/img/monogram.webp)### *Why You Can* **Trust Us** - We rigorously evaluate all content - We embrace a reproductive justice framework - We don’t accept ads or sell products - We reject funding from the pharmaceutical industry - We counter misinformation and disinformation - We address the social, political, and economic factors that affect health and sexuality [read more](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/why-you-can-trust-us) Share [](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();)[](javascript:void();) ##### More to Explore [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Building Great Support Systems for My Mental Health JV discusses the values that she believes are necessary in a good support system. She highlights trust and loyalty as important for her. ![JV](data:image/png;base64,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) JV discusses the values that she believes are necessary in a good support system. She highlights trust and loyalty as important for her.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-building-great-support-systems-for-my-mental-health) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Dealing With Mental Health as I Mature JV discusses how she has grown and matured since starting college, a change that her parents have noted. ![JV](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAFiklEQVRIiX2Wy5IbyQ1FL5BZxW5KHeMYLxz+/z/ywhsvZ2xpLLnV6m6yKvG48CKLesxYRoDJjCDqHgBZzID87R9/B6rIjMyINPdhtg/b9nHdxvW6X67jch3XzbbNhyVTRHTp693d6c35/uHt+eHhzcPD+e3b89u35/Obu/P96XS3ntbel9ZaBwqFKky7ff/BbhFS30fV9Lo9XMePNZ+pXlVHxM3rmz2qpG78Kjn0BN/H/NBYvXiE8Pj8b4YU5dizIFKs77yKrCJZLN6sRKqTBGYYSRZZJOZaxFyLB4MEKSIgcQsjyfyy5rEnSQLozCygyPoadDCmunB6fllLgBQwKw8nkzmdzMNEtFr1zKxCFSs5g47HmJWJJL5TT2EAApXKqEM0GMHIzJjWIkIbRFq1HpFHizIZwUzGgUEmmJIJJjIkQxiSWQAEiFYRjMiIm/LXvWgDUK16RKAKrGIyghEzo4qoTEQgQ/LIXSIkQuYrFcpwhtOnrodHeHgPbSGiKJDs4Y5CFZGsCHrQZ8lRGZgeIeESIenIQFWB5Up3uqd73NzdtXdtDZCq0mzdLYCjAkSUB8MPgHtFVASmbjjC4T7fcKqKL2kWbs3MzdtirS/amqgWwCpt7O6GAmYFGfAod7rP8muKhsMNYXCDG6qKWSLSey5rmDWzMPNlOQCiVSBLtXUzP/6u81TDy7zcZvl0r+lh5Qbfy6xY1VoBaA3LKmPV5aTL0L5oW0RbiRIgS5t2GybzMkpKBiLgBnOalTvdGFY+1UfZXmOQpPYqUFv1VZZVlqHLqt2kd2grmQlTW+tmdlwGTGRKhLjBrXzWYTSjj7LBsXFs3Ddmpi6sEm3VVywrllWWRfqC1iCtRFhomU1btzEAoChJzZQMcYMZbJRZmaUP2kjbOTZur9wv6Z66MFnStK1c1lpO6CsmQBshZLUlm7Y+vlZAzZAIdRcfMCubiY8Ye44t90tun/PyPkeE9vS/Fpq0tS1rLaeaAO0ljQCrWqa21scYKMyLTDM1Xd3FTGxgAmzPsed+je05Xn6NT4gnuEb+/EtVl3bKfuINUK2XKgWzRdpa38cQQEgtaqZGaJiayRgYo8bOqX59idd/xkf4ExzwRP4G8lf0c1vuuNzVcqq+VGulSgirWi6zAgNKqpTZMjWjuelRwY6xc99yv8TlP/Ho9gQHDHAgAX5wLI+6nmO953qqvlTvNc8A1ZLatO825ACwZWhEOyrYZew1ttouefkczx/j34f0XANIAP96p+ef+t2ZpxOXtfpS2ihfAG0CIGQjldFiVjB0DOw7to3bK1/fxS+HtP0OAOi7T/38wLv7Wk9YZpeEQOcBMEHprUUtfAJk7DI27BdenvJxBOGAA+PG+Aq4/LZ8/jPfvKnTHda1eqs2z3kCfEhBi7NFB2DsOjbsG64vfHmXHxC35ozb+gXQgHj/zJ8ecH+P04qlo7USsErZ+nDD7wA21IaOHfsF10d+QOJr+l98nrMAHVjHx7r8jIcBO4kt6A0qRDW2vrtjtiizZTS35kNt17Fhe6mXT3z9Lv0BbMAOGJCAAitwjx3Pm/xpqJn6Kt6lSUmx2Pew2yFny2hh6qa2i12xPdYjEgdgADuwAVfgAmxAACtwBgjIh2v7i3X3Fq7ZJbRUGthHBlBKKrNFtHD1oT5kXLC98nL0x4AduAKvwCPw/M3MdwYAdFz6sB7ew1ss2htSCtpHhqBmBZrewjVcfIi91gW8pT/Vn4F3fxgvr8Bn4ITnk3lERGZnJJukQFo35gRoRsvQdE3XHPAnfgZv6U/19z8YXJ+An0CziMzgnJOoRaF0r5xXaSNJKlMzJA0OOvLWnNcfq08bQHpk3ua6IklR6XmMnlXFdgyaCQbya38G8Pp/1TFfqiS/nXxRVfVf71XmmZxjsMcAAAAASUVORK5CYII=) JV discusses how she has grown and matured since starting college, a change that her parents have noted.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-dealing-with-mental-health-as-i-mature) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Setting Boundaries for My Mental Health JV emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing one's own mental health with friends who need more support than one person can provide. ![JV](data:image/png;base64,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) JV emphasizes the importance of setting boundaries and prioritizing one's own mental health with friends who need more support than one person can provide.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-setting-boundaries-for-my-mental-health) [Stories & ConversationsWatch ## Realizing No One Is Perfect Regardless of What Anyone Says HM recalls some of the changes she experienced after receiving counseling, especially concerning the pressure to be perfect and be a strong Black woman. ![My Story: Realizing No One Is Perfect Regardless of What Anyone Says](data:image/png;base64,iVBORw0KGgoAAAANSUhEUgAAACAAAAAgCAIAAAD8GO2jAAAACXBIWXMAAA7EAAAOxAGVKw4bAAAEmElEQVRIiV1WbY7syA0jKXl63m6Qu+UuOU2OGSBYZMYi80Pl3tkYhWp32Rar9EGK//rnPwBEggoqVEcVdShTBh3YGcdOxjEAiCxVX9f18fF6vT4+P1+/Pl+fr9fn58fn6/q4+rqqW6VOAhIBEpwJQH7M7599GAQAz4PsavD+yWMDQdJJjoUQCeJESYIEPLg51/k8j6H4zP7x7+dN0vaABAEQNKDQgCwnCJjAQexkpzBwTNJO7PjPKz9WOATYngV4H5whAScwsTFI8HwV2AlIETA1Ux4/Yzzzvt9d99zfIKF63E+EKUbIA7AR9sTjOEjEMDHluWfac/u+Z3rumRrV8CbAJH3f3yBJo4IAIYrJAsSgARu2ZzaLjCBwJICipu77rrrv+r6n76mSRBBBSn1/f4EkCzYchAhRSBLWSdPA4xnH9gQJwaIY3KS+VVVT99R91y0VuQDJqO+v/66LaMNASCMGlCgGHTqZyXo2DhwCoRZJVKn2UpUkkQRiq6q/v/4ARTUq7E1WIIASJpSDyQnAxnABRMEhKKm0pksqUeT6Jyr399cfpKCLvVlJhDAhRAfAxvjJk3vgMBCFNoE9hM7+S+sfw22p+vvrP2RBHzRowmIEE4UogU6Qx3NScDBmIipuhMTuv0slvgOA2NL0/fVv8EL9xogponbz8DlBwsnxz9yTmSwAlApDQVJJLZV4TpDAY0n9/f1FfsFiLuabaKKR+wBxg7pBHt+37zcA4zAUJVVVb5TfLkpbUt8DEshNDGnS5ADDKD8Atj7nntyTGTiiYAi61aWZum/dpZOmAOJI6jFAEUWTEyqcgEGMMMym6XHROOOM6QCYomhppmfuHfd96gAwLLXxO1DEC2iiGNKAN1UdyEiceRPO1qMRhFyOysx5YW5Xee4hmVBKR38HGTV5AVce3yNYKwYeloSDrQ4GIRM6TA7jPmBW2WNiknT6byApRYVqsMECBHD14FBFYCBnUSBAhQVWqGd9qXcJO2SIND9+B5a1CBWkSJDAA/CMYzokFC5HVKPqaK0UEmR4vjIipPXxGwCQICHiry8dNSMAYU0jIAiRYjW72c1q/j8M1kjr9esILBEe6eSq6OqmAgdaKkcIhqTErd9L3TowhRJVqOMDiF2vXz+UfU0iyRb7yguOUAQkA0I6FNfq1tW6rkViNVsovTG6Pj5Py3A6BK+KM4kNmg7hPSICQg/5VHXv0PWMblbxUMYBeD09Sc6ebcTwhKQZmHi8FhISS4ff/grQpeshPe1A98fr2b4Tc6U9w6E4Ifm0BAwQkSquunRV19Xqrqvrsc4uliRSJNl1XU/DtFVqeGJutEUCXBU+/jnb76qubnXVtYco9dn+0rZI6g2wfrfhgZE5TMDtZBh4c/mnf0pd1a0zdkWPKIgCyVb3dmq0zcl2G4BX/hMCPD0TueE7Me6qVncdsVm9KRa1LiJJdFWdlpDcUgjCRJEjbnd32IHEhu5tTpK4Ql/nhtrt85yAKp5+cnsuH2iSFGiexnIDQJ7oiZS2HjZh+H6q5x2S6PN91tR5BfyBQuZAAO81/fn4zOIm/q4c4gH+B0ubOuteRFaCAAAAAElFTkSuQmCC) HM recalls some of the changes she experienced after receiving counseling, especially concerning the pressure to be perfect and be a strong Black woman.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-realizing-no-one-is-perfect-regardless-of-what-anyone-says) [Stories & ConversationsListen ## Feeling Supported After My Abortion MC discusses disclosing her abortions. She notes how supportive her community was and how she felt after each abortion. ![A woman sits in a gynecological office as a doctor takes notes](data:image/png;base64,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) MC discusses disclosing her abortions. She notes how supportive her community was and how she felt after each abortion.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/stories-conversations/my-story-feeling-supported-after-my-abortion) [ResourcesListen ## On the Road: Adventures in Aging After the death of her longtime partner, Laura Barr took to the road. She has spent the past 5 years traveling in her camper with her two dogs. Laura talks about the passion that fuels her continued journey, and what she's found along the way. ![Next chapters logo](data:image/png;base64,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) After the death of her longtime partner, Laura Barr took to the road. She has spent the past 5 years traveling in her camper with her two dogs. Laura talks about the passion that fuels her continued journey, and what she's found along the way.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/on-the-road-adventures-in-aging) [ResourcesListen ## Wisdom from the OBOS Founders Founders of Our Bodies Ourselves discuss their personal experience of aging and their continued commitment to making health and sexuality information accessible to all women and gender-expansive people. ![Next chapters logo](data:image/png;base64,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) Founders of Our Bodies Ourselves discuss their personal experience of aging and their continued commitment to making health and sexuality information accessible to all women and gender-expansive people.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/wisdom-from-the-obos-founders) [ResourcesRead ## A Report on the Lived Experiences of LGBTQ+ Women Executive summary of a survey in which over 5,000 LGBTQ+ women shared their experiences of discrimination, finances, education, religion, gender and sexuality, sex, and relationships. ![Three queer people lay on the floor laughing together](data:image/png;base64,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) Executive summary of a survey in which over 5,000 LGBTQ+ women shared their experiences of discrimination, finances, education, religion, gender and sexuality, sex, and relationships.](https://ourbodiesourselves.org/health-info/a-report-on-the-lived-experiences-of-lgbtq-women)