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Simplify & succeed

Learnings, teachings and tips & tricks

Rachel Spakes Rachel Spakes

Before You Call Yourself Lazy—Read This

What if rest isn’t a failure… but a form of wisdom?

Recently, a conversation with a friend reminded me how easily we label ourselves “lazy” when what we actually needed was rest. This week’s blog is a gentle reframe — and a permission slip — for anyone who’s been carrying unnecessary guilt for slowing down

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Rachel Spakes Rachel Spakes

Before You Rush Into the Holidays… Pause With Me

Before you rush into the holidays… pause with me. 🤍

This season gets loud, busy, and beautifully chaotic — but your heart deserves a moment to catch up. In this week’s post, I’m sharing a simple 10-second pause, plus three reflection questions to help you close out 2025 with intention, gratitude, and clarity.

If you’ve been feeling stretched thin or stuck in “go mode,” this one’s for you.
A breath.
A reset.
A reminder that your growth this year matters.

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Rachel Spakes Rachel Spakes

November: A Month for Gratitude, Family, and Connection

November is a month for reflection, gratitude, and togetherness — which makes it a natural time to focus on resident engagement and community-building. Whether you're managing a multifamily community, senior housing, student housing, or neighborhood programs, November offers countless opportunities to slow down, connect, and create meaningful shared experiences.

This guide offers resident engagement ideas for November that support belonging, wellness, and connection — with activities to celebrate National Gratitude Month, Family Literacy Month, Veterans Day, World Kindness Day, and more.

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Rachel Spakes Rachel Spakes

Stirring Up Connection: Simple Food-Based Activities for Resident Engagement

Food has always been one of the easiest and most meaningful ways to bring people together. If you’re looking for resident engagement ideas for November, this month is full of simple, warm, and community-building opportunities. These activities are designed to be low-cost, easy to implement, and perfect for creating connection in apartment communities, senior housing, and multifamily properties of all sizes.


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Rachel Spakes Rachel Spakes

From Pink Ribbons to Wellness Fairs: 15 Ways to Celebrate October

October Awareness: Caring for the Whole Person

October is one of those months that seems to have a celebration or observance tucked into every square on the calendar. From wearing pink to raising ribbons of every color, the entire month is a chance to shine a light on health, wellness, and awareness. But when you step back and look at the bigger picture, October isn’t just about individual causes. It’s about caring for the whole person, mental, physical, and emotional.

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