Grace: Embracing Rest, Self-Care, and Presence in Midlife
This is the first of a three post series in which we reflect on the words, Grace, Grit, and Gratitude in the context of the Ceiba Root Wellness health coaching practice and the collaborative spirit in which I collaborate with women in their transformational healing journeys. We begin with Grace is as it is through this sacred portal that we are all worthy of transformation, love, forgiveness, and freedom.
Grace Through Transformation
Grace is often described and understood as:
Elegance and Poise – A sense of effortless beauty, refinement, and fluidity in movement or demeanor.
Divine Favor or Blessing – A spiritual gift of mercy, kindness, or goodwill, often described as unearned and freely given.
Compassion and Forgiveness – The ability to offer understanding, patience, and kindness to oneself and others, especially in times of difficulty.
A State of Balance and Ease – Moving through life with acceptance, resilience, and a sense of flow rather than resistance.
A Revelation – a shift in awareness that reveals a deeper truth about oneself.
Midlife is a time of transformation—a season where wisdom deepens, priorities shift, and the call to embrace Grace in all aspects of one’s life grows louder. But what does grace look like in the context of health, healing, and self-care for women in midlife? It is rest without guilt, nourishment without restriction, and movement without punishment. It is learning to listen to the body, honor its rhythms, and approach wellness with self-compassion rather than rigid discipline.
The Art of Rest
In a culture that glorifies being busy, rest is often mistaken for laziness. Yet, true wellness flourishes when we give ourselves permission, give ourselves grace, to slow down. Rest is not just about sleep—it’s about creating space to breathe, to pause, to be present in our lives. Whether it’s through meditation, a quiet moment with a cup of tea, or a leisurely walk in nature, intentional rest replenishes the body and mind. It helps regulate stress hormones, supports cellular repair, and allows us to move through midlife with ease.
Ways to Cultivate Rest:
Prioritize sleep by aligning with your circadian rhythm—early mornings and early nights.
Embrace intermittent fasting—give your digestion time to rest and allow your body to focus on cellular repair.
Create sacred pauses in your day—try five-minute breathwork, writing down a moment of gratitude, or simply stepping outside for fresh air, and connection with your bare feet on the earth.
Self-Care as an Act of Grace
Self-care is more than an indulgence; it is a necessity. It is a practice of showing up for ourselves in the same way we care for others. Midlife wellness isn’t about chasing external ideals but about deeply nourishing our bodies and minds in ways that feel sustainable.
Self-Care Strategies:
Nourish with intention: A low-carb, whole-food approach supports hormonal balance, brain health, and energy levels.
Hydrate deeply: Prioritize water, electrolytes, and mineral-rich beverages to support full cellular hydration.
Reconnect with pleasure: Savor meals by slowing down while you chew, engage in long lost creative hobbies, and surround yourself with beauty (think favorite clean scents, color, nature, art).
Self-Compassion: The Missing Ingredient in Healing
For too long, diet culture and rigid fitness routines have conditioned women to push through pain and override their body’s signals. But midlife invites a shift—to move from self-discipline to self-compassion.
What if wellness wasn’t about achieving a certain weight or fitness level but about feeling strong, energized, and aligned with your body’s needs? Giving yourself grace means allowing flexibility in your routines, releasing the all-or-nothing mindset, and choosing consistency over perfection.
In her transformative guidebook, Be Yourself to Free Yourself, Best-selling Author and Spiritual Guide, Monica Moody emphasizes the transformative power of grace in self-discovery, stating:
“In that one moment of grace, we start to awaken, and the veil is slowly lifted as we discover the truth of who we really are."
And we are truly worthy. I highly recommend getting a copy of Monica’s guidebook as a catalyst to self-empowerment, self-compassion, and change. She has so much more deep wisdom on this topic than I could share here.
Ways to Cultivate Self-Compassion:
Speak to yourself as you would a dear friend.
Let go of past limiting narratives about food and movement.
Celebrate progress and the journey, not just outcomes.
Being Present in the Moment
Presence is the ultimate gift of grace. In a world filled with distractions, being fully engaged in the now enhances both mental and physical health. Intentional movement—whether it’s yoga, weightlifting, or a mindful walk—offers a way to connect deeply with the body and the present moment.
Here, I must share that the powerful synergy of the words, Grace, Grit, and Gratitude was first revealed to me back in 2021, while having lunch with one of my favorite yoga teachers, Shari Friedrichsen, during a healing retreat at the Himalayan Institute. Though I had heard each word individually before, Shari’s perspective and the yogic context in which she shared them made them resonate in a new way.
Shari mentioned she was preparing to launch an online yoga immersion called, Gratitude, Grace and Grit. The phrase immediately spoke to my yoga practice, my healing journey, and my coaching perspective. Months later, experiencing her yoga program from home left a lasting and transformational impact on my personal growth and spiritual path. I highly recommend you explore the class as well, and experience Shari’s embodied wisdom.
Practices for Presence:
Engage in slow, intentional movement like yoga, taichi, or sacred dance.
Focus on breath and body cues during fitness workouts, including weight training.
Eat mindfully—savoring each bite, chewing slowly, and tuning into satiety signals.
Embracing Grace as a Lifestyle
Grace in midlife is about balance, intuition, and self-love. It is about allowing rest, embracing self-care, practicing compassion, and being fully present. When we release the need for perfection and welcome the flow of grace, our bodies respond with vitality, and our spirits with peace.
This is the new paradigm of wellness—not one of deprivation, but one of abundance. Not one of control, but of trust. Not one of force, but of flow.
Are you ready to embrace grace in your wellness journey? Let’s chat for a few minutes about where you are and where you want to be. Let’s begin together!
P.S. - Other than my own coaching service, I do not have any affiliate links in this blog. Any and all recommendations made here are based on my personal experiences with the product or service, and I am in no way compensated for their inclusion.
