…the NOW when your mind and heart start drifting too far into the past or future. There’s no question that many of us are being impacted by intense external factors at the moment. Maybe that’s why it feels like the first five months of 2026 lasted about as long as it takes for me to snap my fingers. Which is slightly discombobulating because there were individual days that pushed me to the brink of holistic exhaustion. Then I go to bed, hoping to wake up refreshed and ready to accomplish what I can tomorrow. Trying also to be at peace with what will remain undone until a yet-to-be determined date. How else do I cope? By consciously stopping to ENJOY A MOMENT daily — amidst all the uncertainty and challenges. Because I am still here (as are others whom I love and cherish). A blessing worth celebrating every chance I get.

Another way is by allowing what has been my routine to adapt to the current climate of life. Because being mom, writer, pet owner, teaching artist, girlfriend, yoga instructor —(*I think that is almost everything atm) — is basically consuming every waking minute I have most days. Which is why this e-newsletter will be cropping up in your inbox quarterly for the foreseeable future. (I had to streamline the perpetual “to do list” for my sanity, as well as to maintain my multi-hyphenate career in writing, nutrition and fitness.)

The majority of my mornings begin with teaching yoga; then transition into a kaleidoscopic afternoon filled with recipe development; revising blogs; brainstorming book ideas; and/or preparing writing class content. Amidst all of this, the teen is texting me from school; the bf is calling me from work; and the pup mostly definitely needs to be taken out. Later, as evening draws near, some living creature in my direct vicinity will inquire where her/his/its next meal is coming from; require assistance with laundry/an electronic device/[insert random, non-urgent household matter]….and on it goes, until I (hopefully) get at least a half hour of complete silence before bed.

I try not to take the FULLNESS of each day for granted. Because there is a lot of GOOD mixed in with the the PLENTY. It often feels like I need more hours in the day. However, what is actually probably lacking is a consistent appreciation for it all. That includes the people, the work, the mess…even the stress. It is too easy to tell yourself a different version of the present would be easier or better. Perhaps. Yet there are always trade-offs as we move through life. So even though in an alternate universe I could have fewer demands on my attention, my soul might not be nearly as fed — or healed.

Hence, the best course of action is for me to continue to squeeze in an abundance of deep breaths, fab music and good books. Speaking of the latter: Am the only one who has been secretly fantasizing this spring about taking a SOLO summer reading vacay? ~Rachel

PS: I’d truly settle for one night alone in a comfy hotel room. Chance of that happening any time remotely soon: <2%….But a girl can still dream ;)