Hello everyone and thank you for being here! First and foremost, I wanted to thank everyone who reached out to me after reading last month’s edition. I shared a deeply personal story and the response I received truly filled my heart with gratitude. I believe that by sharing our truth and being vulnerable, it can open us up in ways we never imagined. Each month, I have shared some personal truths with you in an effort to connect and hopefully have a positive impact.
Having a Bigger Impact:
One of the reasons I stepped away from real estate was because I knew I wanted to have a bigger impact. I loved connecting with others and helping them achieve their goal of homeownership, but I felt I could make an even bigger difference. That truth has led me here. Although I am starting very slowly, I have been quietly working on some projects I plan launch soon that I hope will fulfill my goal of helping others in a more meaningful way.
What I am Working on:
Over the past several months, I have been part of a coaching collective that has been helping me to better shape my story in a profound way so that it can help others. Stories that may not have been safe to share in the real estate business. This may seem drastic considering many of my readers originated from my real estate database, so I remain ever so grateful for the continued support! Over the coming months, I plan to share some of those stories with you and offer a few practices that I hope you find helpful. Albeit lofty, my goal is to change the world one interaction at a time. This month’s practice is about rest and presence. Enjoy!
Permission to Pause:
This month, I would like to encourage you to consider giving yourself permission to pause. Rest is incredibly underrated and in our busy world where “hustling” is seen as admirable, it is important to slow down your body and your mind. This likely looks different for everyone; however, whether it is spending time in nature, meditation or having fun with family or friends, the idea is to experience true presence through connection.
🧘♀️ Inviting Stillness & Presence
Have you ever noticed when you are forced to wait for something (like in line at the grocery store or waiting to be called back at the doctor’s office) it feels impossible not to look at your phone, check email or look at social media? I am guilty of this! A small practice to incorporate is to pause – just be in line or in that waiting room. Bonus points if you can leave your phone in the car! When I was in real estate, the thought of being away from my phone was enough to give me a panic attack! Now, I try to use the time to just be still and notice the world around me. (I am not saying this is always easy, but it is worth it). Over the next few days, try to become aware of when you feel restless – what is going on physically? Mentally? Try to be still and simply notice when your reflex is to grab your device and scroll – then question it. Let me know how this goes for you! Meanwhile, here are some questions you can ask yourself:
- What would it look like to be fully present in this moment?
- When was the last time you felt truly still? What was the difference then?
- What helps you come home to yourself?
- If your body could speak right now, what would it ask for?
- What might you hear if you got quiet enough to listen?
- What do you notice in the silence that you might miss in the noise?
😌 Encouraging Rest
If you are like me, you may feel like rest is something you need to earn. I jokingly say that I am constantly a member of my own “rewards program”. As if I am not allowed to rest or enjoy something until, I have worked hard to earn it. I still grapple with the questions below and must be incredibly intentional about incorporating rest and presence.
- What is your relationship with rest? Do you feel you need to earn it?
- How would your life change if rest was seen as productive?
- What part of you resists slowing down—and why?
- If rest became a ritual instead of a reward, what would shift for you?
- What stories come up when you consider doing nothing?
🌿 Deepening Awareness
Taking this a step further, I invite you to consider the questions below. There were many times during my years in real estate when life got so busy that I found myself in two places at once—physically in one, mentally in another. And the truth is, neither space got what it truly needed from me. One moment stands out more than any other.
My mother was on home hospice. We didn’t know exactly when she would pass, but we knew it was close. I was on the phone with clients, wrapping up an escrow, completely consumed by the urgency of the deal—while just one room away, my mom was literally on her deathbed. She died the very next morning. That experience changed me. It altered the way I understand presence—so much so that even now, I can’t fully put it into words.
What I do know is this: presence is a practice. It’s far too easy to be swept up in the illusion of connection—emails, deadlines, to-do lists—while being completely disconnected from what matters most.
Here are a few questions that may help you slow down and deepen your awareness.
- Where in your life are you moving too fast?
- How do you know when you’re disconnected from presence?
- What do you notice in your body when you’re rushing? And when you’re still?
- What might become possible if you created space instead of filling it?
In Closing:
Sometimes it feels like we need permission to rest but the present is always here. The past is gone, and the future is simply a compilation of our thoughts. If we allow ourselves to truly experience the “now”, we can slow down and make meaningful connections. I would love to hear your thoughts on this! Feel free to reach out to me! In the meantime, I just uploaded my eleventh meditation to Insight Timer – many of them are meant to bring you into the present and experience true rest. See the link below to find out more and thank you again for being here.
With gratitude,
Adriana
Leave a Reply