April Spring Forward: Finding Growth in Independent Living Communities

Apr 3, 2026 | Featured, Independent Living

Spring: the perfect chance to shake things up and welcome change. As the days get longer and the world outside starts to bloom, you can use that same energy to invite fresh perspectives and new routines into your own life.

At Priority Life Care, it’s easy to make small, intentional adjustments that lead to growth and a renewed sense of joy. Here’s how.

Try Something New, No Matter How Small

Integrating change doesn’t require a massive life overhaul. Just start with something minor.

For instance, if your morning routine feels stale, try switching it up. Instead of scrolling through your phone first thing, maybe you spend five minutes stretching or listening to a new podcast while you make your coffee.

And don’t throw in the towel if you don’t notice changes right away: a study on habit formation found that it can take anywhere from 18 to 254 days for a new behavior to become automatic. You just need to start, and stick with it.

You could also apply this to your commute. If you usually drive the same route to your favorite coffee shop or to meet your friends for lunch, try a different one. You might discover a local park you never knew existed or (even stumble upon a better coffee shop with superior pastries!).

The goal here doesn’t need to be complex. The idea is simply to break out of autopilot and see your daily environment with fresh eyes. And while it sounds inconsequential, this simple act of varying your routine can stimulate your brain and make a mundane part of your day feel like a small adventure.

Open Up to New Perspectives

An open mind is your best tool for personal growth. This spring, practice this by intentionally exposing yourself to different viewpoints. Maybe you pick up a book from a genre you’d normally ignore or listen to music from an artist you’ve never heard of. You could even try cooking a type of cuisine you’ve never attempted before (you get bonus points if it’s something you’ve always been too hesitant to try!).

This extends to your social habits as well. Try to make an effort to talk to a coworker you don’t know well or reconnect with an old friend. Maintaining diverse social connections is linked to better cognitive function later in life. When you engage with people who have different experiences and ideas, you challenge your own assumptions and broaden your understanding of the world. Don’t worry if you don’t agree on absolutely everything. That’s okay! The goal here is just to broaden your mind as you broaden your social network.

Let Go of What Isn’t Working

Renewal is as much about subtraction as it is about addition, so take a look at your current habits and commitments. What feels draining or no longer serves you? Whether it’s a weekly video call that leaves you feeling exhausted or a subscription service you barely use, trimming off the fat will allow you to create space, both physical and mental, for new opportunities and energies to flow in.

It’s just like pruning a plant: by trimming the dead branches, you encourage healthier, more vibrant growth where others can blossom and flourish.

Use this season to make those small cuts, and these small additions, to see what new possibilities begin to sprout.

And when you’re ready to put these ideas into action, reach out and explore how Priority Life Care supports growth, connection, and positive change every season.

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Testimonials

Extremely happy! My family member moved here earlier this year and we have nothing but ...
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Keri
Extremely happy! My family member moved here earlier this year and we have nothing but great things to say about the care, communication and compassion Tanglewood has for their residents. We were a bit nervous about moving our family member here, we had experienced an unpleasant environment with another assisted living community. Needless to say, we are beyond grateful for the wonderful team at Tanglewood. They have great communication and are always willing to go the extra mile to check on their residents. Highly recommend!!! I know that there are a lot of places people can choose from, hope they would pick Tanglewood.
Keri
Keri
We moved my grandmother here about a month ago and so far it's been wonderful. ...
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Morgan
We moved my grandmother here about a month ago and so far it's been wonderful. Jennifer gave us a great tour and all the information we needed and the rest of the staff has been very friendly towards my Grandmother and her dog. We are very happy we moved her to Tanglewood Trace!
Morgan
Morgan
My husband's favorite aunt was placed in this facility by her children, and I was ...
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Angelica
My husband's favorite aunt was placed in this facility by her children, and I was very impressed with everything I saw when we visited. It was very clean and everyone was very polite and helpful. We were also glad to get updates from our family about how well the facility was handling the CoVID-19 pandemic. I know that my husband's cousins have been very happy and are not worried about their mother's health or well being while at Tanglewood, which says a lot with how crazy 2020 was. Overall, my husband and I are impressed with what we have experienced and heard, and we highly recommend this facility.
Angelica
Angelica
I think it is best to start with understanding that Tanglewood Trace handles not only ...
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Samuel
I think it is best to start with understanding that Tanglewood Trace handles not only Independent Living but also Assisted Living and Personal Care. I think the reviews really should be based on that aspect in mind. I speak with regard to Assisted Living. My great aunt spent 4 years at Tanglewood and without reservation I always felt exceptionally comfortable with the standard of care at this facility. I really enjoyed whenever I would visit my great aunt that the nurses and practitioners at the center would greet me by my name and always would ask me personally if my great aunt was happy with the care as she was not always so critical. Understanding within reason - the nurses and practitioners always would be honest as to when and how they could react to a concern I had on behalf of my aunt - and if reasonable we would see the results shortly after. Often my great aunt just wanted to have more towels on a different day or evening or even - more simply - ask for additional services with my help when I visited that would always be acknowledged. I highly recommend Tanglewood - proximity to Notre Dame and the University Park Mall were awesome benefits.
Samuel
Samuel
I have so many positive things to say about the Tanglewood Trace team and caring ...
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Helene
I have so many positive things to say about the Tanglewood Trace team and caring experience that they provide...My parents in law moved from IOWA in early 2023 into Tanglewood's Assisted Living to be closer to family. The warm welcome that they received by the staff and the other residents was just the beginning of their positive experience. Tanglewood's diverse calendar of activities and entertainment, the lovely dining room and variety of daily tasty menu options as well as the personalized care that the staff provide are some of the many good things I can attest to. When my mother in law suffered some falls that resulted in a broken leg and surgery, the Tanglewood nursing caregivers and therapy department rallied to assist her through her healing journey, and she continues to improve with their support. When my father in law's cancer recently became critical and he needed hospice care, Tanglewood's knowledgeable, accessible and caring Executive Director and Director of Nursing as well as numerous caregivers guided and supported us in keeping him in his AL apartment with my mother in law. He was able to pass away with dignity with both hospice and Tanglewood's diverse team (nursing, dietary, maintenance, housekeeping, and other caregivers) working collaboratively. My husband and I were by his side, as was my mother in law, at Tanglewood, when he passed. The Tanglewood team surpassed our expectations beyond words throughout this journey. We are grateful to have my recently widowed mother in law living there, where we can continue to visit her in this next chapter. Thank you again to the Tanglewood family of caregivers and to the numerous caring residents that are watching over my dear mother in law.
Helene
Helene

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