Last week’s essay about transitions stirred something in me—and in many of you who emailed back. Today I’m sharing the practice I reach for when everything feels like too much.
Dear friends,
I’m back with our third Field Note, recorded from the southeast corner of our deck, listening for woodpeckers in the bull pines. The wind had just quieted, the sun tucked behind clouds, and I realized how much I’ve missed this audio connection with you.
These last few weeks have felt heavy. Personal, global, everyday—it’s been a lot. Sometimes time stretches endlessly, and I wonder: how do we breathe when the future feels impossible?
In this Field Note, I share a simple practice I first learned in recovery: living one hour at a time. It’s not about productivity—it’s about survival, about finding gentleness when life feels too big to hold.
Together we’ll:
Try a grounding practice for the hour ahead
Explore why lowering the bar can be radical care
Remember we don’t need to carry the whole week
This practice has carried me through foster care, adoption, family upheaval, and running the horse rescue. It’s one I return to again and again.
Let’s take a breath together and see what this hour needs from us.
With warmth,
Ashley
💬 Group Check-In
What could you set aside this hour to feel a little more present?
I’d love to connect with you. x
