Every pause is a chance to begin again
Sustaining your September intentions with kindness, not perfection
Hiya,
How are your September intentions holding up? Maybe you began the month with excitement — a fresh start, new routines, perhaps even a vision board. And yet, as the days fill up with meetings, emails, family demands, and the “unexpected”, those intentions might feel a bit harder to sustain. If so, please know: Nothing has gone wrong. This is part of being human.
I’ve noticed it in myself too. I set the intention to move my body more consistently, but it hasn’t quite landed yet. Some days, I feel full of energy and do a 30-minute workout, other days it feels impossible. Instead of pushing through or criticising myself, I’m learning to ask: what feels supportive right now? Sometimes the answer is simply a short stretch, or putting a song on my playlist that invites me to move for a few minutes. Tiny steps still count.
This is the heart of kindfulness: gently meeting ourselves where we are, with compassion, not perfection.
✨ Candles and beginnings
When I wrote to you earlier this month, I shared how much comfort I found in my vanilla candle. That candle has now burned out — a little reminder of impermanence. But here’s the gift: each ending makes space for a beginning. I’ve now opened a jasmine candle, its scent carrying me back to the jasmine plant in my childhood garden. That memory of home is a gentle anchor, reminding me that warmth and renewal are always available.
Your candle might look different — perhaps it’s a small ritual, a pause, or even a habit you’d like to return to. Whatever it is, it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just needs to feel supportive.
I also loved reading your comments on the last post — so many of you shared your own rituals: lighting candles or incense, pulling an oracle card, journaling, praying, or enjoying a mindful cup of coffee ☕️. It reminded me that while our anchors may look different, they all serve the same purpose: to pause, breathe, and reconnect.
🎧 Practice: The Kind Pause — Three breaths + Gentle movement
This short guided audio is an invitation to pause and reconnect with your body, especially on busy days. You can do it sitting at your desk or wherever you are.
I’ll guide you through three grounding breaths, optional gentle movements (like rolling your shoulders, stretching your arms, or softening your jaw), and a moment to reset with kindness. No comparisons, no “workout” — simply listening to your body’s needs.
💬 Mantra for this month
Every pause is a chance to begin again.
🚶♀️ Take it with you
As you walk to your next meeting, step out for a coffee, or simply move between rooms, you might carry this gentle question with you:
👉 Where in my life could a small pause help me begin again?
Sometimes the smallest pauses bring the deepest resets.
I’d love to know — what small ritual is supporting you this season? Feel free to share in the comments. Let’s keep learning from one another.
💌 If you feel this post might support someone you care about, you’re welcome to share it with them.
Warmly,
Pili