Early is on time…Right on time.

Shakespeare has said, “Better three hours too soon than a minute too late.”

Recently, I made the mistake of chatting with my assistant right after her breakfast. She’s particularly chatty after she eats. I was mid-email rewrite when she started firing off questions seemingly out of the blue:

“How do you listen to music? Do you have a speaker or headphones? What is a composition that you’ve been listening to on repeat? Do you walk to the office? Have you noticed anything interesting during your walks?”

I won’t deny it. Her questions did something to me. At first, I thought it was her timing, then maybe perhaps the speed in which these inquisitions were hurled at me. Maybe it was her asking before I had coffee. It could be all of the above.

I threw her a look but by then, her attention span had taken her elsewhere. I knew that my lack of audible answers had likely conjured more curiosities and more questions that I didn’t want to admit that I didn’t have answers for.

The following morning, my alarm clock conspired against me, and I found myself speed-walking to an appointment. As I rushed by other pedestrians with a heavy sense of dishevelment and absolutely zero clue as to my phone or keys’ whereabouts, I thought to myself:

“Hmmm…..What was something I noticed on my walk? Nothing! Who has time to notice things or listen to songs on repeat? I’m busy! I’m running late! And where is Shakespeare with all of that helpful advice now?”

(Actual footage of me looking for the time to savor and enjoy things)

I laughed at myself. The silly assistant may have struck a nerve.

I have spent the entirety of my career ensuring that my clients surround themselves with spaces and things that they love. Whole months and years devoted to helping people spend their time noticing features and details that made them want to live fully and love deeply.

And here I am in a bit of a haze. Realizing that I am not taking the time for myself to do just that.

A realization that I needed had arrived, not a moment too soon.

Sometimes in life, when things seem wildly unmanageable, simple decisions such as stopping to take a deep breath and ground yourself in the moment and space you find yourself in can make all of the difference. Perhaps, I could find a pocket of time here and there to reacquaint myself with myself. Maybe we would all benefit from doing that from time to time.

So I took her up on her challenge (don’t tell her that she was right) and found things that made my senses come alive. Maybe some of these will be fun or interesting to you too:

Hearing: Don’t tell anybody but my morning karaoke sessions have to have No Me Para Nadie by Germán Barceló

Sight: A good friend insisted we see a movie at one of my favorite theaters. We caught a showing of I’m Still Here. I’m still thinking about it and after you see it, you will be too.

Taste: Carbs be damned. A small Canelé at Metropolitan will have you grinning like a sinner after confession.

Smell: In the design world, all the little details matter. This parfum has all the little notes that your nose won’t be able to resist seeking out.

Touch: Winter still has us in its grips. These sweaters have been a godsend.

Doing this challenge helped me gain some clarity. We are more than what we do or acquire. We have lives to live, and there is magic to be found in everyday moments.

So tell me…what magic have you found lately?

With love,