For the days you don’t want to adult anymore
Daily Presence Practices
Small, consistent habits shape a steady life.
Presence isn't something we achieve once and then keep forever. It's something we practice. Every. Single. Day. That's one of the things I've been thinking about as we've moved through Rooted in the Present this month. The beautiful thing about habits is that they quietly shape who we're becoming. One prayer. One chapter. One walk. One moment of gratitude. Those small choices may not feel significant in the moment, but over time they become rhythms that help us stay grounded. One of my favorite daily rhythms happens first thing in the morning. I make my coffee, listen to the day's Bible reading from The Bible Recap, and then listen to the podcast that goes along with it. Before emails, work, and the rest of the day get moving, I have a few minutes to be still, spend time in the Word, and remember what matters most. It isn't complicated, and that's exactly why it works for me. Your practice doesn't have to look like mine. Maybe it's five minutes outside before work, a walk after dinner, writing down three things you're grateful for before bed, stretching while you pray, or putting your phone away while you drink your morning coffee. The question is simply: What's one small thing I can do consistently that helps me come back to the present? Choose something you can do on the busy days, the good days, and even the days when you don't particularly want to be an adult anymore. A steady life isn't usually built through huge changes. It's shaped by the small things we choose to return to again and again.
Growing Good
September is just around the corner, which I'm still trying to wrap my brain around!
1. College Colors Day is September 4
This could be such an easy way to bring a little fun and friendly competition to your property, workplace, or family. Invite everyone to wear the colors of their favorite college, decorate your office, take team photos, or let people vote for the school with the most fans. Whether they're supporting their alma mater or simply the team they've cheered for forever, it's an easy, inexpensive way to get people talking and connecting.
2. National Disaster Preparedness Month
September is also National Disaster Preparedness Month, making this a great time to think about the emergencies most likely to happen where you live. For those of us in property management, it's also a good reminder to think about how prepared our properties and residents are. Keep it simple: Know your risks. What emergencies are most common in your area? Make a plan. How will you communicate, where will you go, and who needs additional assistance? Check your supplies. Make sure emergency kits, flashlights, batteries, water, important numbers, and other essentials are ready before you need them. Preparedness doesn't have to come from fear. A little planning now can bring a lot of peace when something unexpected happens.
Rachel Recommends
1. Get Outside: I just got back from a quick fishing trip to the Texas coast with my husband, and we had the BEST time.Did we catch anything big enough to bring home for dinner? Nope. Did I care? Also nope. Being out on the water, soaking up some sunshine and fresh air, and getting away from the normal routine was exactly what I needed. There really is something restorative about spending time outside. If you'd like to learn more about why nature is so good for us, I highly recommend The Nature Fix by Florence Williams. It's a fascinating look at the connection between time outdoors and our well-being. And even if a fishing trip isn't in your future, you don't have to go anywhere fancy. Take your coffee outside. Walk around the block. Sit under a tree. Watch the sunset .Nature is available in much smaller doses, too.
2.Pack Some Strength: Another current favorite: fabric resistance bands. They're inexpensive, take up almost no room in a suitcase, and make it much easier for me to keep up with strength workouts when I'm traveling. They're also an easy way to add extra resistance to exercises for your legs and glutes. You don't need an elaborate home gym to get stronger. Sometimes a few simple tools make it easier to stay consistent, and consistency is what we're practicing this month.
A Thought to Carry With You
"Realize deeply that the present moment is all you have. Make the now the primary focus of your life." - Eckhart Tolle
Free Resource: The 5-Minute Rooted Reset
Life gets busy. Your mind starts racing. Your attention gets pulled in twelve directions. That's when we come back. I've created a simple 5-Minute Rooted Reset to help you pause and reconnect with what matters most through five areas:
🙏 Faith
💜 Heart
🧠 Mind
🌿 Body
🤝 Relationships
You don't need an hour to reset your entire life. Sometimes five intentional minutes are enough to help you find your footing again. Download the free 5-Minute Rooted Reset
One Last Thought
The goal isn't to create a life where you never feel distracted, overwhelmed, or pulled in too many directions. Life will happen. Schedules will get full. Plans will change. There will be days when your routines completely fall apart. What matters is learning how to come back. Back to God. Back to the people you love. Back to caring for yourself. Back to the ordinary life happening right in front of you. That's what I'm learning through Rooted in the Present: Presence isn't about perfection. It's about returning again and again. So choose one small rhythm this week that helps you come back to what matters most. Then keep returning to it.
