There are days when I wake up already feeling behind. The to-do list starts ticking in my head even before my feet touch the ground—kids’ schedules, client calls, content deadlines, groceries I forgot, a friend I haven’t replied to, and oh—my aching back that keeps reminding me I need to stretch more. Somewhere in the middle of it all, I ask myself: Am I even here? Or just constantly passing through moments without truly living them?
Being “present” sounds beautiful in theory. But in real life, especially when you’re wearing 5 different hats and none of them quite fit perfectly that day—it feels like a luxury.
But here’s what I’ve slowly learned (and still forget often):
Being present doesn’t mean being perfect.
It’s not about finishing everything.
It’s about pausing when it matters.
A deep breath before a tough conversation.
Looking your child in the eye when they’re speaking.
Closing the laptop when someone you love walks into the room.
Not multitasking joy away.
I’ve started doing a few things that help. Maybe they’ll help you too:
- Morning clarity check: Not everything will get done. But 1–2 things must. I pick those with intention.
- Micro-moments of stillness: Between back-to-back tasks, I remind myself to come back to my body. Breathe. Ground.
- Phone boundaries: Not perfect here, but even 30 minutes of no-scroll time while eating or walking helps me feel human.
- Letting go of the guilt of “not enough”: This one’s hard. But I’m slowly learning to trust that my presence matters more than my performance.
Presence is not a grand act. It’s a quiet returning.
To your body.
To your values.
To the people in front of you.
To yourself.
And some days, just surviving with kindness is enough.
Faith and rise 
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