A Reflection on Being Intentional
Lately I have been trying harder than ever to be intentional. And not just with my schedule, but with my energy, my relationships, and how I show up in this world. I have found myself having this conversation over and over lately… in my work, in friendships and in moments I am alone yet catch myself buzzing around like a frantic little bee because that’s what our culture trains us to do.
So I am going to share a reflection on something that happened recently.
I got a text from my cousin: How’s life, Adam, work, the kids?
The usual check‑in. The kind of question we’re all conditioned to answer with, Good, you?
But that answer doesn’t feel like me anymore. It feels like cardboard. It feels like pretending. It’s fake and inauthentic. I mean, what does “good” even mean?!
And if I’m trying to be intentional with my time and my relationships, then I can’t keep offering the surface-level version of myself just because it’s convenient.
So instead of firing back a quick “good, you,” I paused. And when I had space, I sent her a 12‑minute voice note (my fave new thing BTW). The voice note was about Adam, about work, about the girls and about life. The things she asked about.
Her response:
Mallory. I am not listening to a 12 minute audio message. Maybe if it was 3 minutes.
And I just sat there thinking… she asked. She asked how my life is. She asked about the people I love. She asked about the things that matter to me. And I answered her genuinely with presence, intention, and honesty.
But apparently the acceptable window for depth is three minutes.
Three minutes to summarize my entire life. Three minutes to compress my heart into something digestible. Three minutes to make sure I don’t take up too much space.
It stung. Because it showed me something about the world we’re all swimming in. We want connection, but only if it fits neatly into the cracks of our day. We want closeness, but not if it requires stillness. We want updates, but only the kind that doesn't slow us down.
Twelve minutes. We waste more than that scrolling.
But listening to someone you care about for twelve minutes? That’s “too much.”
I’m learning that being intentional with my time also means being intentional with who I offer depth to. Not everyone is ready for it and not everyone wants it. And that’s okay, but I’m not going to shrink myself into a three‑minute version just to make it easier for someone else to digest.
PS - cousin and I cleared the air and we are all good. She’s an important person in my life and if you are reading this, thank you for allowing me space to share. I love you.
About Mallory
Mallory is a holistic practitioner who helps individuals reconnect with their bodies through a mind-body approach to healing. Her work blends body awareness, somatic practices, and intuitive guidance to support those who feel stuck, disconnected, or overwhelmed.
She believes the body holds deep wisdom and that true healing begins when we learn how to listen. Through her work, Mallory gently guides clients back to their own inner knowing, helping them build trust in themselves, regulate their nervous system, and experience a more grounded, connected way of living.
Her approach is not about fixing or forcing change. It’s about creating space to feel, to notice, and to come home to yourself in a way that feels sustainable and real.
If you’ve been feeling disconnected from your body or unsure how to trust what you’re feeling, you don’t have to figure it out alone. Mallory offers one-on-one support to help you reconnect with your body, understand your patterns, and move forward with greater clarity and ease. Reach out to start your journey back to yourself.