How to help yourself or a friend undergoing a MEDICAL PROCEDURE
Facing a medical procedure or illness is never easy. It could be as simple as a getting your wisdom teeth pulled out. Or something more complicated like a colonoscopy or major surgery. Our guide can help you out. Be sure to grab our health kit, with checklists that help keep track of your medical history and appointments.
How to help yourself when you’re undergoing a medical procedure:
Arrange caregiver, if needed. If you’re undergoing a surgery, it’s great to have a family member or friend to help you out.
Get time off from employer. Arrange your work assignments and leave an out of office message.
Arrange transportation. You’ll need another driver after many procedures.
Prepare meals ahead of time.
If you don’t have supplies, get them delivered so you can rest.
Set aside money in budget for medical bills and other expenses.
How to help a friend who’s undergoing a medical procedure:
Offer a ride if they need a procedure.
Bring them food, reading materials and other supplies.
Offer to do small errands, such as taking out the trash.
CELEBRATE SINGLES DAY WITH OUR FAVORITE #SOLOSTORIES
Happy Singles Day! In China, friends present their single friends with gifts, and it’s become the biggest shopping day of the year. We’d like for this to become a holiday in the U.S., but until then let’s celebrate the freedom and fun that comes with being solo. We’ve compiled our favorite books, TV shows and movies about single women so you can enjoy the day.
Single life:
Great non-fiction books about living on your own.
“I’m Mostly Here to Enjoy Myself” by Glynnis MacNicol
“Party of One: Be Your Own Best Life Partner” by Meghan Keane
“All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation” by Rebecca Traister
“Single” by Nicola Slawson
“Thrive Solo” by Lucy Meggeson
SoloStories:
This is our features in which we explore books, films and TV shows that show single women navigating their lives – but romance is not the main component.
Alphabet mystery series by Sue Grafton
“The Paris Novel” by Ruth Reichel
“The Benevolent Society of Ill-Mannered Ladies” by Alison Goodman
“The Midnight Library” by Matt Haig
“Flying Solo” by Linda Holmes
“All Grown Up” by Jami Attenberg
“Table for One” by Emma Gannon
#SOLOSTORIES: “Table for one” By Emma Gannon
SoloStories is our feature in which we explore books, films and TV shows that show single women navigating their lives – but romance is not the main component.
The shelves of bookstores are lined with romance novels, with a woman matched up with a man in a premise as realistic as the novels in the sci-fi section. They meet cute, they always find themselves forced to share the bedroom on a trip and they break up three-fourths of the way through. But don’t worry, they’ll get back together with some grand gesture.
So it’s nice to see a novel that offers a different outlook.
In the novel “Table for One: A Modern Love Story,” author British writer Emma Gannon poses a question – what if being solo is a great adventure?
Willow enjoyed being single in her college days, remembering one date: “I surprised myself by having a great time. I loved the film (“Frances Ha”), walked along the waterfront, browsed in Foyles, and then found a fantastic dumpling spot, where I nestled into a corner and eavesdropped on the conversations around me. It was the best date I’d had in months.”
But she found herself in a relationship with Dom throughout her 20s. Now in her early 30s, she’s experiencing what it’s like to be single for the first time in years.
She has single pals – including some members of her female group of friends and Carla, her aunt who raised her. While writing a profile for a magazine, Willow becomes entranced by Naz, a Gen Z influencer who touts the advantages of being single.
After an evening with fellow single women arranged by Naz, she says, “I forgot how much I enjoyed carefree evenings where no one knows where you are or what time you’re going to bed.”
Willow discovers some hard truths about Naz and goes through a tough situation with Carla. But, unlike some other authors, Gannon never dismisses single people by stating that there’s something wrong with them. Carla is always at ease with herself, and Naz makes the lifestyle seem ideal.
Willow goes from feeling awkward to embracing her new path in life. In one portion of the story, a teacher tells her that writing is “a way of owning your own narrative. … Every time you type something, you are taking back power. You get to be the author of your own life.”
“Table for One” shows us that being single is a wonderful way to live your own life, and as valid as any romance.
your guide for november
It’s November. Do you feel the change in the weather? Do you feel that surge of your money being whisked from your wallet and your time swept away by holidays? This can be a fun time of year, but it’s also busy. Take a breather and take time to prepare – such as saving money for potlucks and making a list for items to buy for Black Friday. We wish Singles Day was a thing in the U.S. and people were buying stuff for us.
Dates to Remember:
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 1-2 - Dias de los Muertos
Saturday, Nov. 1 - Daylight Saving Time ends tonight
Tuesday, Nov. 4 – Election Day
Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day, Singles Day
Thursday, Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving
To Do:
Book Thanksgiving and Christmas flights
Make lists for Black Friday
Make lists for Christmas
Pay bills
Save money for events, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Clean house
Meetings, volunteer work
Medical appointments - schedule vaccines
Other errands
Concerts, parties, sports, theater
Start thinking about …
Sunday, Dec. 14-Monday, Dec. 22 – Hanukkah
Thursday, Dec. 25 – Christmas
Friday, Dec. 26-Thursday, Jan. 1 – Kwanzaa
Wednesday, Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve
Thursday, Jan. 1 - New Year’s Day
Monday, Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Friday, Feb. 13 – Galentine’s Day
Saturday, Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day
Sunday, Feb. 15 – Singles Awareness Day
Monday, Feb. 16 – Presidents Day
Tuesday, Feb. 17 – Mardi Gras
Wednesday, Feb. 18 – Ash Wednesday
Use our checklists to help you plan:
Monthly Checklist – This helps you map out the month ahead by saving money for upcoming events and scheduling time for errands. And it’s free.
Yearly Adulting Checklist – Our free one-page guide makes sure you’ve done your financial and health tasks.
New Life Starter Kit – Great for college graduates, this helps your job and apartment search. $25
Travel Kit – Plan your next trip. $25
Health Kit - Keep track of your medical history and appointments. $15
Celebrations Kit – Plan a party and get ready for the holidays. $25
Safety Kit – Prepare a go-to bag and other tasks in case of emergencies. Free.
MAKE A PLAN FOR BLACK FRIDAY
The winter holidays are a month away, but if you log onto your computer or phone, ads are already popping up, luring you with sales. There are some good bargains out there, and it’s a great time to buy that investment piece of clothing or update an appliance. But you need a strategy so you don’t get shocked you see your credit card bill.
Assess how much money you have to spend
Make a list of items that you need and want:
Appliances
Books
Calendars/Planners
Clothing
Furniture
Kitchenware
Makeup
Tech equipment
Travel
Stick to your budget, fingers and toes crossed.
#SOLOLIVES: KATE WARNE
#SoloLives is our feature in which we look at notable single women in history.
Kate Warne holds a unique place in history – she’s considered the first female detective. And, like many fictional detectives depicted in TV and literature, she was single for most of her life. Here are three facts about Kate Warne:
As a detective for the Pinkerton National Detective Agency, she posed as a Southern Belle to gather information for the Union during the Civil War and she protected Abraham Lincoln from an assassination plot when he was elected President in 1861.
She was widowed at an early age. As a detective, she was “infiltrating that world of women who are hearing and seeing [while] people are looking right past her,” said Brian Meltzer, author of “The Lincoln Conspiracy: The Secret Plot to Kill America's 16th President--and Why It Failed.”
For a fictional look at Warne, check out "Girl in Disguise" by Greer McAlister, “Better Angels: A Kate Warne Adventure” by Jeff Jensen and "The Detective’s Assistant" by Kate Hannigan.
#solosolutions: choosing lodging for your trip
When it comes to traveling, lodging can depend on location and cost. But there’s a few other things to consider when choosing between a hotel, hostel and short-term rental.
Here are a few items to note:
Hotel:
If you can afford it, a hotel room offers all sorts of perks that makes your stay relaxing.
Cleaning service
Room service
Basic toiletries provided
Privacy
Breakfast buffet often included
Hostel:
Hostels are a great option, and some of them are located in the middle of the action. But keep in mind they attract a younger crowd.
Low cost
Laundry and other services offered at low cost
Need to bring your own toiletries including, in some cases, towels
Meet new people
Limited space and have to share room with others (although some hostels offer private rooms)
Breakfast buffet often included
May be asked to do simple chores (such as washing your plates and utensils)
Short-term rental:
Rentals through Airbnb and other providers are a good alternative, but they can also be hit or miss.
Cost varies
May have to do simple chores (such as dealing with trash)
Need to bring own toiletries
Have to provide own meals, but you may have access to a kitchen
#solosolutions: How to help yourself and a friend during a layoff
The job market is unpredictable right now. If you’re hit with a layoff, you have a lot to think about. Career Contessa and The Muse are great websites for detailed job hunting advice and our New Life Starter Kit offers checklists for the job search. Here’s our list to help you out in those first few days, plus some advice if your friends are laid off.
How to help yourself during a layoff:
Take a breather for a few days. Give yourself time to process the news.
Complete medical appointments while you have health insurance.
Look at health insurance options.
Assess savings and budget money.
Update resume and LinkedIn.
Check your network for any job openings.
Go to the grocery store during workday hours. One advantage of being unemployed is you can run errands without big crowds.
How to help a friend who’s been laid off:
Take them out to eat. It’s always nice to treat a friend who may be tight on cash.
Offer to proof their resume and cover letter.
Offer to serve as a reference.
Check your network for any job openings.
YOUR ROADMAP FOR OCTOBER
It’s October and it’s the beginning of the busiest time of the year. You got to think about the big holidays ahead, as well as timely chores (voting, getting vaccines), and the usual work and adulting tasks. At least there’s lots of candy around. Here’s your guide for October:
Dates to Remember:
Thursday, Oct. 2 - Yom Kippur
Monday, Oct. 13 - Indigenous People’s Day
Monday, Oct. 20 - Diwali
Friday, Oct. 31 – Halloween
To Do:
Find Halloween costume
Plan Halloween party
Book Thanksgiving and Christmas flights
Make lists for Black Friday
Make lists for Christmas
Pay bills
Save money for events, Halloween, Thanksgiving and Christmas
Clean house
Meetings, volunteer work
Medical appointments - schedule vaccines
Other errands
Concerts, parties, sports, theater
Start thinking about …
Saturday-Sunday, Nov. 1-2 - Dias de los Muertos
Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day, Singles Day
Thursday, Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving
Sunday, Dec. 14-Monday, Dec. 22 – Hanukkah
Thursday, Dec. 25 – Christmas
Friday, Dec. 26-Thursday, Jan. 1 – Kwanzaa
Wednesday, Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve
Thursday, Jan. 1 - New Year’s Day
Monday, Jan. 19 - Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Use our checklists to help you plan:
Monthly Checklist – This helps you map out the month ahead by saving money for upcoming events and scheduling time for errands. And it’s free.
Yearly Adulting Checklist – Our free one-page guide makes sure you’ve done your financial and health tasks.
New Life Starter Kit – Great for college graduates, this helps your job and apartment search. $25
Travel Kit – Plan your next trip. $25
Health Kit - Keep track of your medical history and appointments. $15
Celebrations Kit – Plan a party and get ready for the holidays. $25
Safety Kit – Prepare a go-to bag and other tasks in case of emergencies. Free.
PREPARE FOR PARTIES AND HOLIDAYS WITH OUR CELEBRATIONS KIT
The next few months will be a marathon. Diwali, Halloween, Thanksgiving, Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve. They bring food and fun, but they also invade our time, energy and wallet. Our new bundle has arrived with loads of checklists to help you out. The Celebrations Kit features tips on how to plan your own party, as well as guides for the major holidays.
It’s available in our shop for $25. Grab it here: https://www.solo-list.com/shop
Our checklists in this kit cover Galentine’s Day/Valentine’s Day, Mardi Gras/Lent/Easter Checklist, Halloween/Dias de los Muertos, Thanksgiving and Christmas. We would love to include checklists for Ramadan, Diwali, the High Holy Days and Hanukah. If you can help out, please contact us at info@solo-list.com. Thank you!
#SOLOSTORIES: “OCEAN’S EIGHT”
SoloStories is our feature in which we explore books, films and TV shows that show single women navigating their lives – but romance is not the main component.
The 2018 movie “Ocean’s Eight” depicts women spearheading a jewel heist. But it’s so much more – they don’t want the shiny object. They want the money to pursue their freedom.
Debbie Ocean (Sandra Bullock) has just been released from prison, and she wants to rebuild her life. (She also wants to avenge the boyfriend who entrapped her.) She knows how – stealing the pricey jewels during the Met Gala. She recruits a band of women who bring different skills sets, from hacking computers to deconstructing and remaking the jewels. With the exception of one character (Sarah Paulson’s harried mom Tammy), they are all single.
The movie is a spinoff of the male-centered “Ocean’s Eleven” films and, like those movies, is pure fantasy. There’s hardly a moment when you feel their lives are in danger or that anything may go wrong. When an investigator (James Corden) comes in, you’ll know they will outwit him. It’s a movie designed to look at pretty clothes and jewels and escape from reality for a few hours.
There’s also not a scene where they are worried about what their husband or boyfriend will think. At the end of the movie – since it came out in 2018, it’s not a spoiler – they can now pursue their lives as they want to. The jeweler is in Paris, the hacker and fashion designer have started their own businesses, the pickpocket owns her own apartment and is even on the co-op board, and the actor is directing a movie. Debbie Ocean pops a cocktail to her “late” brother, finally finding some peace. But our favorite in this montage is Lou (Cate Blanchett), the co-ringleader, driving her motorcycle along the California coast, all by herself. There’s no one who she has to answer to. The women of “Ocean’s Eight” may be rich, but they also have found power and independence.
YOUR GUIDE TO PREPARING FOR EMERGENCIES
From the fires in California to the floods in Texas, this year has reminded us that disasters can strike anytime, anywhere. September is National Preparedness Month, and we’re offering a free, three-page guide that provides several measures – such as putting together an emergency kit – to help keep you safe.
Download the kit here.
IT’S 100 DAYS UNTIL CHRISTMAS
Welp, it’s 100 days away from Christmas and the holiday season. Here’s a few tips to plan your winter activities.
Make travel plans. Use our Travel Kit for your visit back home or a fun getaway. Ask for time off from work now.
Save money. If you’ve already been saving money, great. If not, you could have $300 on hand if you start putting aside $25 a week from now until Dec. 2. Make a budget for presents (for others and yourself) and traveling. Other expenses pop up during the holidays – such as food for potlucks, stamps for Christmas cards, Secret Santa gifts and donations – so keep that in mind.
Write up your lists. If you love giving out presents to family and friends, think about others, such as work colleagues and Secret Santa giveaways. Need ideas? Try food, gift cards and bath products.
Mark your calendar for parties and events. If you want to throw a party, start planning. And grab tickets now if you want to attend a holiday-themed concert or show.
Whether you’re gathering with friends and family or having a quiet time alone, we hope you have a joyful time. We send good vibes to those who work in retail, health care and the hospitality industry during this season. For those who don’t celebrate, may you have peace in however you spend the holidays.
#SOLOLIVES: DOROTHY HEIGHT
#SoloLives is our feature in which we look at notable single women in history.
Dorothy Height was an American civil rights activist. Here are three facts about her:
In her seven decades of activism, she led the National Council of Negro Women, helped found the National Women’s Political Caucus and organized the 1963 March on Washington. She was an adviser to political leaders and fought against lynching and for stronger voter registration laws.
When she received the Presidential Medal of Freedom, President Obama called her “the godmother of the civil rights movement and a hero to so many Americans.”
Writer Robin Caldwell noted, “Dorothy Height died childless, having never married. To some women that would be a sin and a shame. To me and countless others who appreciated her presence as a civil-rights activist and women’s ‘club’ movement leader, she died leaving a multitude of daughters.” (We found this quote in “All the Single Ladies: Unmarried Women and the Rise of an Independent Nation” by Rebecca Traister.)
YOUR GUIDE FOR SEPTEMBER 2025
With the end of summer, September can feel like a fresh start. Even if you’re not in the education field, you just want to grab some new school supplies or make new goals.
Our checklists can help you out.
Monthly Checklist – This helps you map out the month ahead by saving money for upcoming events and scheduling time for errands. And it’s free.
Yearly Adulting Checklist – Our free one-page guide makes sure you’ve done your financial and health tasks.
New Life Starter Kit – Great for college graduates, this helps your job and apartment search.
Travel Kit – Plan your next trip.
Health Kit - Keep track of your medical history and appointments.
September marks the start of the busiest time of the year. Here’s what’s coming up:
Monday, Sept. 1 - Labor Day
Monday, Sept. 15 - Taxes due for self-employed
Monday, Sept. 22 - Rosh Hashanah
Start thinking about …
Thursday, Oct. 2 - Yom Kippur
Monday, Oct. 13 - Indigenous People’s Day
Monday, Oct. 20 - Diwali
Friday, Oct. 31 – Halloween
Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day, Singles Day
Thursday, Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving
Sunday, Dec. 14-Monday, Dec. 22 – Hanukkah
Thursday, Dec. 25 – Christmas
Friday, Dec. 26-Thursday, Jan. 1 – Kwanzaa
Wednesday, Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve
BOOK REVIEW: “THRIVE SOLO” by lucy meggeson
“So accustomed have we become to the furious thrash metal and aggressive vocals of Megadeth drilling into our brains 24/7, we have no idea how our lives would change if only we would just throw on some Stevie Wonder,” writes Lucy Meggeson in her book, “Thrive Solo: Embracing the Freedom, Joy, and Opportunity of a Single, Childfree Life.”
Meggeson, a British writer who runs the “Thrive Solo” podcast and membership community, has written a pep talk to single women. In chapter after chapter, Meggeson touts all the virtues of the solo life, covering topics from travel to living child-free.
Living solo gives women peace of mind that they don’t have to please anyone but themselves. “It’s bloody awesome not to have to think about anyone else when it comes to how I spend my time,” she writes. “My days are my own; my schedule is my own; my plans are my own; my decisions are my own; my life is my own.”
She adds, “It’s only when you live on your own that you know for 100 percent certain that no one within those four walls has the power to upset you, annoy you, hassle you, shout at you, moan at you, complain at you, bore the crap out of you, or generally shift your mood from cool, calm and collected to angry, upset and frustrated.” Say it louder for the people in the back!
Meggeson conducted dozens of interviews with other single women, from all ages and different parts of the world. Some of the best quotes come from these women, such as Maddie’s views on solo travel: “You pay so much more attention, and I think life is about paying attention, and choosing where you put that attention.” On not having children, Helen notes, “I love kids. But it’s the lifestyle I never wanted, and honestly, as I’ve got older, I’ve just got surer of that decision.”
Meggeson, as noted in the first quote, is a big believer in thinking positive, offering several tips on how to change your perspective.
It's fun to see a woman relish living on her own, knowing that it can be wonderful to make our own decisions and just conk out on the sofa with no one is telling us what to do. For those single women who still feel out of place in the world, Meggeson’s book is a great guide that shows that it’s a good place to be.
IT’S 100 DAYS UNTIL THANKSGIVING
Thanksgiving is one of those holidays that sneak up on you since there’s no set date. The holiday takes place 100 days from now, Thursday, Nov. 27. While it’s hot outside, it’s always good to think ahead.
Start making your travel plans. Use our Travel Kit to organize a fun trip or a visit back home.
Begin saving money. Even if you’re not traveling, there’s a lot going on that weekend -– including Black Friday, Small Business Saturday, Cyber Monday and Giving Tuesday – that could invade your checking account.
Think about items that you could buy on sale. If you’ve been itching to get an appliance, furniture and other item, make a list and see if they have a good deal during the sales period.
If you are planning to host a Friendsgiving, we hope you stuff yourself with food and fun. If you plan on spending the weekend alone, watching TV and reading and doing nothing, that sounds awesome. If you work in retail, health care or other industry in which you are busy during the holiday, we send you all the good vibes.
#SoloLives: Jane Austen
#SoloLives is our feature in which we look at notable single women in history.
It’s a big year for Jane Austen. Although she is arguably the most famous romance writer in history, she never married. Here are three facts about Jane Austen:
She is the British author is the author of six novels, including “Pride and Prejudice” and “Emma.” The books have endured for centuries, with the plots adapted to fit different cultures and modern times. Clueless and Bridget Jones’s Diary are the most famous examples. There are new versions of her novels, “Pride and Prejudice” and “Sense and Sensibility,” that are currently being filmed. The Jane Austen House has a special exhibit, Austenmania, on film and TV productions from her works that were made 30 years ago.
Celebrations are in force for the 250th anniversary of her birth. This BBC article spotlights the festivities this year.
This History article explores why Austen never married.
YOUR ROADMAP FOR AUGUST
It’s August, the month without a holiday. Oh.
Think of it as a reprieve. No gifts to buy, no parties to go to, no pressure. Just sit in a cool spot and relax.
This month, we’re introducing our new Monthly Checklist that will help you map out the month ahead. We’ve got space for the usual chores – paying bills and cleaning the house. But look at your calendar to see what events you have coming up. Do you need to designate any money for gifts, parking or other incidentals? Do you need to buy supplies or run errands this month? This simple two-page guide can help.
Download the FREE Monthly Checklist.
Here’s our Yearly Adulting Checklist, our one-page guide that helps you keep track of those chores in life to maintain your health, finances and sanity.
Download the FREE Yearly Adulting Checklist.
We’ve got other great kits for you.
If you’re taking a vacation, use our Travel Kit. If you’re making a transition, our New Life Starter Kit can assist you with our checklists for your job and apartment search. Our Health Kit helps you keep track of your medical history and appointments.
Start thinking about …
Monday, Sept. 1 - Labor Day
Monday, Sept. 22 - Rosh Hashanah
Thursday, Oct. 2 - Yom Kippur
Monday, Oct. 13 - Indigenous People’s Day
Monday, Oct. 20 - Diwali
Friday, Oct. 31 – Halloween
Tuesday, Nov. 11 – Veterans Day, Singles Day
Thursday, Nov. 27 – Thanksgiving
Sunday, Dec. 14-Monday, Dec. 22 – Hanukkah
Thursday, Dec. 25 – Christmas
Friday, Dec. 26-Thursday, Jan. 1 – Kwanzaa
Wednesday, Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve
IT’S 100 DAYS UNTIL HALLOWEEN
What the hell? It’s feels like the devil’s backyard outside and it’s time to think about Halloween? We hear you. But we always like to be prepared. And we’ve got a short list to make your Halloween run smoothly.
o Set aside money and make a budget for items such as costumes, treats and boo-ing your neighbors.
o Think about costumes. Is there a TV character or celebrity you want to dress up as? List some ideas and think of all the items you’ll need for the costume. If you buy a costume, they can sell fast, so get it now.
o Think about decorations. Some places, like IKEA and Anthropologie, already are selling items.
o If you’re planning a party, start preparing a guest list and food list.
o If you’re not into Halloween, keep note that you can always buy candy for yourself.