Linda Hamilton shares her 'perfect day' formula for introvert happiness

Linda Hamilton has swapped the high-octane world of Hollywood for a quieter, more "deeply planted" life in New Orleans.

The 69-year-old Terminator star recently told PEOPLE that moving to Louisiana was "totally amazing," even describing it as a gift from the cosmos.

“It’s been the stupidest thing, but that’s the universe rewarding me somehow by putting me here,” she remarked.

Having left California for Virginia years ago, she finally settled in "The Big Easy" a decade ago after finding her home on Zillow.

The move has allowed the Dark Winds actress to reinvent herself in her most cherished role yet: "grandy" to her one-year-old grandson.

Hamilton’s son, Dalton Abbott, welcomed the baby last year, sparking a connection the actress finds truly profound.

“That is a treasured time. I want more of it,” she says, though she admits she wasn't always pining for grandmotherhood.

She describes the bond as a unique fascination with the "little creature" rather than a search for a legacy.

When she isn't filming Stranger Things or enjoying family time, the self-proclaimed introvert embraces a tranquil routine.

She starts her mornings with a local "coffee club" but spends the majority of her day-off in solitude.

Her perfect formula for happiness involves a high ratio of alone time, plenty of reading, and her beloved pets.

As she puts it: “Just give me books and a pile of animals and just leave me alone and I’m happy.”