Think back to a moment when you felt completely fulfilled at the end of the day. A time when you said to yourself: That was worth it. That mattered. That felt right. What were you doing?
Time is one of our most precious, non-renewable resources—and yet it’s so easy to spend it without even realizing where it’s gone. If you find yourself wondering where the hours went, or feeling like your time isn’t going toward the things that matter most, you’re not alone.
We all get hit with curveballs: meetings that run long, unexpected responsibilities, plans that fall through, or time that feels “wasted” in ways we didn’t choose. I’ve certainly had those days. But over time, I’ve noticed something: the more intentional I am about how I spend my time—and who I spend it with—the more grounded and fulfilled I feel, even when life is chaotic.
That shift didn’t happen overnight. It’s the result of being more present. More deliberate. More tuned in.
Years ago, especially in those early seasons of motherhood, I felt a constant tug-of-war. I was working full-time, raising babies, trying to be everything to everyone. Some days I felt like I had struck the balance; others, I was sure I was failing someone—either at work or at home. That emotional rollercoaster was real.
But something changed when I started focusing less on how much time I was giving and more on how I was showing up in that time. I started recognizing that presence—real, undistracted presence—is what makes time meaningful. That’s where the value lives.
One of the clearest reminders of that came not during a vacation or a planned family outing, but on a regular afternoon when we broke from routine. I spent six uninterrupted hours outside with my girls. No schedule. No screens. Just sunlight, curiosity, and laughter. They built toys out of sticks. We watched the clouds and caught lizards. At one point, my youngest found a branch and asked, very seriously, if she could give me a back scratch with it. I couldn’t stop laughing.
That day is etched in my memory—not because it was grand, but because it was real. We were all in it together.
Here’s what I’ve learned: time well spent doesn’t mean having a perfectly balanced schedule. It means showing up fully for the moments that matter most to you—and those moments might look different each season.
It might be focused time at work, uninterrupted and productive.
It might be a long conversation with someone you love.
It might be a walk outside, or five minutes of silence before your day begins.
It might be choosing connection over multitasking.
It might be saying no to something that doesn’t serve your values.
This is what the Be Present Project is all about—building a life that feels aligned, not just busy. A life where time isn’t slipping by, but lived with intention.
So I’ll leave you with this question:
What does time well spent look like for you—right now?
And more importantly: Are you giving yourself permission to live that way?
It’s not about perfection. It’s about presence. And that starts with you.
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