Category: Be Present
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Smell the Flowers, Blow Out the Candle
More than a decade ago, in the middle of a chaotic weekday morning, I had a moment that has stayed with me ever since. My girls were little, and like most mornings back then, we were racing against the clock. Danica, eager to help, wanted to make herself a Hot Mama roll—a garlic roll with Read more
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Unplugged, Present, and Fully Alive
Not long ago, I signed on for the National Day of Unplugging. At first, I’ll admit—I was a little unsure. A full 24 hours with no phone, no laptop, no TV? My type-A, tech-connected brain was already twitching at the thought. But I also knew I needed it. So I committed. I left my phone Read more
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I Love My Sister (And I’m So Grateful for Her)
We’re heading out on a family vacation with my sister and her crew, and I could not be more excited. It’s the kind of trip that promises laughter, chaos, good food, shared memories—and maybe even a few late-night talks after the kids crash. Honestly, it’s going to feel like five Sunday dinners in a row, Read more
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Permission to Indulge (Without the Guilt)
Whew—what a weekend. The kind of full, life-giving blur that included family time, a little wine, getting dressed up, a date night with my husband, a big party, and yes… indulging in fair food (hello, donut burger—I regret nothing). I’m tired in the best way: satisfied, recharged, and reminded of what joy feels like when Read more
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The Power of a Letter
I’ve always been a big believer in letters. Maybe it started because I love to write—or maybe it’s just a great excuse to buy pretty stationery (still true). But the deeper truth is this: I love what letters represent. They are moments made visible. Thoughtfulness made tangible. Growing up, my dad used to leave me Read more
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Start with Why—Not Judgment
Remember those viral articles from years ago about the “Dear mom on the iPhone”? The internet was buzzing—some people shaming parents for not being “present,” others pushing back against the assumptions and the guilt. If that conversation were happening today, it would probably be a TikTok video, a trending tweet, or a polarized comment thread. Read more
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The Time to Be Present Is Always Now
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on the why behind this project—not just why I started it, but why I continue to return to it, again and again. The answer is simple, and it’s the same every time: Because being present changes everything. It changes how we show up for the people we love.It changes how we Read more
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Finding Your Anchor: Staying Present in a Distracted World
Even for me—someone who’s built a whole project around being present—it’s still incredibly easy to slip into the distractions of everyday life. Emails, meetings, texts, endless scrolling… they pull at our attention constantly. And even when we want to slow down, be present, and really live in the moment—it takes effort. Honestly, it’s a lot Read more
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The Real Cliff We’re All Teetering On
Lately, I’ve been reflecting on a pattern I’ve seen—not just in others, but in myself too. It’s that moment when you realize you’ve been saying “yes” to everything, juggling too much, and suddenly, you’re standing at the edge of your capacity. You’re overwhelmed, overstretched, and over it. This is the real cliff—when we push ourselves Read more
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A Present From the Heart
These past couple of weeks have been full. Work, family, obligations—life hasn’t slowed down, and the to-do list seems to keep multiplying. But in the midst of all that motion, something simple stopped me in my tracks and grounded me in the best way. Alexandra—my sweet, expressive, always-feeling daughter—has a way of delivering these unexpected Read more