Category: Lifestyle

Balance, Business, Lifestyle, Productivity

When Systems Create Space for Peace | Kat Mari Coaching

by Kat MariLeave a Comment on When Systems Create Space for Peace | Kat Mari Coaching
When Systems Create Space for Peace | Kat Mari Coaching

From Clutter to Clarity

Sometimes, peace isn’t found in stillness – it’s built, one system at a time.

When I first sat down to organize my world: six businesses, shifting home life, spiritual commitments, and creative dreams – I wasn’t looking for perfection. I just wanted peace.

What I discovered is that when systems are designed with intention, they don’t box you in… they set you free.

The Breaking Point: Doing Too Much to Feel in Control

For months, I was juggling tasks like survival mode was my default. Every list felt like a lifeline, yet nothing truly moved.

I was working from my home office space (my bedroom which doubled as my gym), managing a food business out of a tiny kitchen, and trying to remember who I was beyond the chaos.

I was a planner – a list-maker. My to-do lists were long, color-coded, and satisfying to check off… but they rarely led to fulfillment. I was productive, yes, but not purposeful.

Now, every task is a step forward, not just to get things done, but to move toward a longer, more intentional, God-led goal that leaves room for order and serenity.

Because busy isn’t the same as fruitful. And I realized, I didn’t need more hustle, I needed more harmony.

The Reset: Building Systems That Breathe

I started with one intention: “Create rhythm, not restriction.”

With that, I built my Anchor & Flow System in Monday.com – a digital ecosystem that aligned my spiritual, creative, and business life.
Each day now has its own focus:
🌴 Monday: Bamboo & Stone (growth + brand)
⛪ Tuesday: Church & Admin Systems
🧭 Wednesday: Coaching & Consulting
💻 Thursday: Digital & Ghostwriting
💰 Friday: Finance & Flex Focus

Every column, formula, and automation wasn’t just a tech tool… it became a promise:

I will no longer let the urgent, silence the important.

The Magic of Automation (and a Few Llamas 🦙)

Five working automations later, my board now thinks with me. It resets tasks, color-codes progress, and nudges me when creative focus time hits.

The best part?! Monday.com has random celebratory llamas – literal dancing llamas – that cheer me on when I complete a task. Who knew peace could feel like confetti? 🎉🎉🎉

But the real win wasn’t digital; it was emotional. For the first time in months, I could see my week and breathe inside it.

The Space It Created

With systems in place, I started waking up differently:
☀️ Devotionals, workouts, walks with August – my pup, mushroom lattes with extra foam (& a dash of cinnamon)!
🧘🏽‍♀️ A calm brain instead of a racing one.
💻 Deep focus between 9:30-2:00, without guilt for what wasn’t finished.

The result? I found serenity in structure. The same planner that once overwhelmed me now serves as a reflection of gratitude, filled with color, flow, and faith.

The Lesson: Peace Is the Product of Order

You don’t have to earn your peace by finishing the list. You find peace when you create space for it to live.

Systems don’t make you rigid – they give you rhythm.
Boundaries don’t limit you – they protect your brilliance.
And order, when rooted in intention, becomes a form of worship. ✨

Reflection

If you’re reading this while feeling scattered or behind, here’s what I’ve learned:

You don’t need a new plan.
You need a peaceful framework that honors the person you’re becoming.

The system is just the soil. Peace is what grows from it. 🌿

Ready to Find Your Flow?

If this message resonated with you and you’re craving clarity, creativity, and calm in your own world, I’d love to connect.

Drop a comment below or reach out through linktr.ee/katmuli – let’s build your system for serenity together. 🕊️

Lifestyle

The reason for the season ….

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on The reason for the season ….

In the quiet of the busy season …

So the last couple of months have been nothing short of a whirlwind of life! I went from one event to another. Coordinating, fascilitating, performing, and wrapping up every loose end. Not to mention the holiday parties and shindigs that “you HAVE to attend”!!

It’s easy to allow the reason why I do any of this to slip from my mind and get caught up in the details or the must-do’s. It wasn’t until I got to the 3rd verse of my spoken word performance that the emotion of “why” we were doing or celebrating this season hit my heart …

"and round the finger of Mary His soft hand curled .. the same hands that stretched out and made the whole world ..."
“and round the finger of Mary His soft hand curled .. the same hands that stretched out and made the whole world …”

I almost lost myself in the feeling of what I was actually saying and started to tear up. The words took life and for a moment I was staring at my creator and savior in His glorious face. It was as if the christmas music died down in the background and the bustling season seemed to stand still in His presence. It was so overwhelmingly beautiful.

This is supposed to be my favorite time of the year because of my reason for the season, but the cold weather makes my psoriatic arthritis sometimes unbearable. Plus, the fear of chronic illness came to light when I lost my voice for two weeks .. although it came back a couple of nights before the performance. It was as if, someone needed to hear what I had to say … maybe me. In my pain, especially during the rehearsals and performances though, I felt weightless. My pain sometimes subsides when my thought is that I have to go through it for a bigger purpose. I think that sometimes God allows us to go through the rough times in our lives so that we can remember what makes the beautiful times beautiful.

I’m merely sharing in hopes that I remind others about what lights up my life ….

light
“I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me won’t walk in darkness but will have the light of life” ~ John 8:12 ~

 

I can only pray to be an extension of His light to others especially during the holiday season.

Lifestyle, Wellness

Can You Hear Me Now?!

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Can You Hear Me Now?!
Can You Hear Me Now?!

Meeting a Friend ..or.. Meeting Jesus at the Crossroads ..

Do I believe in #coincidence? Maybe if you asked me a long, long time ago I would have said “Yes”. But today, I say “Thank you God for making me turn onto this street so that I could stay on the road that You have laid out for me and my life”.

Today, I am practicing my #Sabbath. I was at home, still in bed, and just following the schedule of life instead of my #Excel spreadsheet when I received a message on Facebook. It was a #networking contact reaching out to me to finalize some details for an event. I looked at her message and noticed that her business name was attached. It so happens that she is currently working for an old company that I used to work for. When I inquired about it she simply asked if I was interested in coming back to work for #PremierDesignsJewelry. Ok, now before you roll your eyes like I did, let me just tell you that this is a daily conundrum of mine: “To Be or Not To Be”?! Like, I am so #humbled that #God has #blessed me with so many talents. And like you, as I’m sure the many other people that have #donated to “these talents”, I’m asking … “Kat, do you really want to get into yet another business venture, another license, more training sessions, more “I believe that this is it” moments”?! Right! That’s exactly what I said: NO!

#ButGodHadOtherPlansForMe

I had to finalize the details for the event anyways so we decided to meet at #Starbucks. On my way over since I knew that she would bring it up again, I had a conversation with God. It started off with me saying .. “If it’s Your will …”  but I cut myself off and simply reminded Him that I was hard of hearing and that He needed to flat out scream at me and tell me if I should even consider going back to this opportunity. So I park, walk into Starbucks and say to Him: “Am I even supposed to be here?”

When I get in line and order my drinks it so happened that my Starbucks gift card didn’t have enough to cover my tab, but no worries. I had a $50 bill tucked into my phone case. When the cashier saw it, he refused to take it because he didn’t have enough to change me out. Well, my extra cards were in the wallet that I had left at home because for goodness sake I was only going down the street to Starbucks hahahaha.. Long and behold the woman behind me had change for my large bill and was happy to help. The cashier, amazed, says “I have been behind the register for the last 4 years and I have never seen anyone have change like that. You (looking at me) must be really lucky. Talk about being at the right place at the right time”.

Alright, slightly baffled, I was not only #thankful for the kind lady, but was also taken aback by the cashier’s choice of words. Like, why would you say all of that?! Was that God “screaming” it out to me that I was supposed to be there?!

There were a couple of other things that happened throughout that #coffee / #chai chat that confirmed that meeting, but I’ll save that for another day. For now, I heard it loud and clear. By the way, the point of this entry was not to share whether I started a new business or not .. it was to reiterate that at your crossroads you are not alone. And if you’re open to setting your pride and/or “needs” aside, God will give you the best thing for you. #trust #faith #listen

Lifestyle, Wellness

The Greatest Love

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on The Greatest Love

March 22, 2014

Today was spent with my family. The older I get, the more I become so attached to my family and the idea of having my own (sooner than later). It makes me reflect on my purpose and who I am supposed to be providing for. Can I even provide for anyone else aside from myself? I often wonder if this is possible. I give of myself because I feel fulfilled when I do, not because I have to do it. It hurts me though when I can’t give enough. I always pray that God makes me strong enough to give all of me to Him and His purpose. Does one ever reach a point where their life and their faith is truly all His? I often second guess myself. I want to believe that I can do all things and do all things for His purpose, but there is always a little bit of doubt in my ability to give of myself wholly.

I set out on this great adventure with a purpose to “go out and find myself”. Get away from the comfort of knowing that my family will always be around to catch me when I fall or redirect me when I steer off the path of “right this way”. This trip has opened so many doors for me. It opened my eyes to see what fulfills me and it’s giving myself to others. What have I really learned that makes me feel that I can go out into the world and think that I have learned a few things well enough to teach someone else? I suppose that was the real reason why I set out on a journey of understanding. To hone in on what God has blessed me with and love a world that’s broken. I will give with the life that I have been given. I understand that nothing is mine to hoard. That I was given the little that I have to turn it into someone else’s everything.

I think that people have to come to a point in their life when they literally have to stop and revaluate why they get out bed every morning. I often throw around the phrase “find what truly makes your heart happy”. My transition with my work (I think) was the universe asking me to do just that: find what truly makes my heart happy. I was forced to stop and revaluate my own life. I had to come to terms with the fact that I was alone and that although I was surrounded by an amazing family and supportive people … that ultimately, I was alone; responsible for no one else, but myself; obligated to nothing. Go somewhere Kat. Anywhere. Understand yourself and give of yourself. Be comfortable enough with being alone so that you can be whole and fulfilled by only His love. When this occurs, you can then give of yourself with full satisfaction regardless of what you receive back. Disappointment shows up when an expectation is not met. So stop putting expectations on anyone or anything and do something just to do it. This will ensure a happy heart … a fulfilled self …

Remember, you are never alone in Christ.
.. thinking out loud … or maybe, justifying my place in this moment ..

Lifestyle

Selflessness

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Selflessness

March 21, 2014

This picture was taken when my cousins decided to take me out for drinks. We ended up enjoying one another’s company and the beautiful view at Dencio’s (a restau and bar overlooking a gorgeous golf course).

I almost felt bad for enjoying myself so much since I know that these amazing people took time out of their insanely busy lives to be with me. If it were once out of the whole week that we spent together then it would be ok … but they’ve done it over and over again. So selfless.
My focus for this trip would be to learn how to be more selfless with my own life. Doing for others always and not having to think twice about what I would get in return. My thought process would be to trust in the natural flow of energy and you will find yourself practicing generosity with no strings attached. This is the purest form of giving. Remember that what you send out will always come back to you. While giving conditionally creates stress, giving unconditionally creates abundance. We give freely because we know that there will always be an unlimited supply.

Being aware of how much we are always supported by the universe is one of the keys to abundance and generosity. Consciously remember the times you have received support from expected and unexpected sources. Remember anyone who has helped you when you have needed it the most and bless every situation that comes into your life for the lessons and gifts it brings you. Remember that all things given and received emanate from generosity. Giving is an act of gratitude. Plant the seeds of generosity through your acts of giving, and you will grow the fruits of abundance for yourself and those around you.

Be well loves …

Lifestyle

Shine from Within

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Shine from Within

March 20, 2014

Today was absolutely amazing. Ate Doyet picks me up to meet up with KitKat and Walby. We have a quick lunch then head over to the studio where KitKat will tape SHOWTIME, a filipino variety show fave. It was great to hang out in the stars’ dressing room and meet everyone. You come to realize that they are just normal people with really cool jobs. Dinner at a stars’ new restau and closing the evening off at a bougie little coffee and pika-pika bar.

What I learned about myself today: I’m a titch pretentious and somewhat self-absorbed (an admission, maybe?!). I worry too much about the perception of others when I should be more focused on what a wonderful life I can live. Free from judgement of myself.

Off to dreamland…

Lifestyle

Guilty Consumption – YUM!

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Guilty Consumption – YUM!

March 19, 2014

As we all know, what we eat and drink can have a powerful effect on our ability to focus, mental clarity, mood and stress levels.

I’ve touched on this subject before. At its simplest, food is fuel. Though our preferences regarding taste and texture can vary widely, we all rely on the foods we eat for energy. Most people are aware that it is vital that we consume a diverse assortment of foods if we aspire to maintain a state of physical well-being. However, the intimate connection between diet and our mental well-being is less understood. Just as the nutritional components in food power the body, so too do they power the mind. Some foods can impair cognitive functioning and zap our energy while others heighten our intellectual prowess and make us feel vigorous.

With that being said, this insert may be my personal confession of failure to adhere to a positive diet or a justification of “eating whatever I want regardless of the health benefits or harms, simply makes me happy”. Everything in moderation. Splurge once in a while, but don’t let gluttony become a habit. Enjoy every bite, but be conscious of how you react to the action of eating.

~ Bon Appetite ~

Lifestyle, Wellness

Namaste

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Namaste

March 19, 2014

I slept so well. I forced myself to stay awake for as long as I could yesterday to make sure that my inner clock is acclimated to this time zone. I’m doing well with the schedule. It was nice for everyone to make time for me to just be during this 1st week of being here. I’ve eaten well, stayed home and am well rested. I woke up this morning and set up my yoga studio on the top patio of the house. Pranayama breathing and warrior three while watching the sun come up was my wake up call. A memory that I will forever hold dear. Spending time with my niece during my yoga practice was just an added bonus. She stayed home from school to be with me. I love it. There is something that is a little unsettling with having nothing penciled into my schedule, but very liberating at the same time. I may not have been working since January, but my time has been more consumed than ever. A little quiet time for me is much needed. My health seems to be at its peak at this very moment. I feel a sense of stillness. My purpose here was to “find myself”. I may have not attained that quiet yet, but I’m definitely open to whatever comes. You know when one goes through a traumatic experience: a move, a change in work schedule, a change with ones lifestyle .. they say, change the environment. I’m a firm believer of doing just that. Along with a backdrop change, you also have to change your attitude. Look your nemesis~ weight/heartache/change in the face and say: Say thank you, say you’re sorry and say goodbye. You are not responsible for whatever you leave behind after that. You can only be responsible for you now. What is truly valuable for your heart to thrive. This is what you are now supposed to find. The rest of my journey within begins here. I’m off to search for what will lighten my heart & soul so that I can be a better person to the world.

~ NAMASTE ~

Lifestyle

Home Sweet Home

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Home Sweet Home

March 18, 2014

A day lost but a sense of excitement gained once again. Finally reached Manila and absolutely love it. Ate Doyet and Ate Vicky were kind enough to pick me up and endure the 2 hour drive home with me. I become nostalgic. Although I left the Philippines 31 years ago, I still feel a tremendous closeness and attachment to this place. I feel like I’m “home”. The bustle of the streets are different from the hustle and bustle of San Francisco/New York. Maybe it’s the excitement that I feel when thinking about seeing my family and meeting new additions to the clan. Or eating the missed foods of my culture. Iba talaga pag lutong Pinas. I have to admit though that I’m most excited to be in an environment that will help me reconnect with myself. Come back to the States anew. There is a sense of longing to be rejuvenated by the subconscious familiarity that I have been craving. The sweetness of my family and the loving feeling that I have already experienced here has been unmatched. A sense of pride of my culture of caring and amazing heritage. I’m going to put the electronics away for a bit and take this time to reconnect with my wonderful family and my city.

Lifestyle

Taking Flight …

by KatSneadLeave a Comment on Taking Flight …

March 16, 2014

I’m off. Today has been a bit interesting to say the least. I woke up feeling anxious and overwhelmed with the tasks that lay ahead of me and the people that I had set out to please. Put others before thyself … ?! Maybe not. I’m devoting only an hour here; 15 minutes there; and maybe I’ll have time for a quick yoga session before I take off. UGH, no! Nothing ever goes my way. Well, I take it back … I never see His way clearly LOL. I can’t believe how every minute of the day was spoken for, but now I see that all was supposed to happen the way it was planned.

I’m now sitting on the plane; at the very beginning of the journey and I’ve had a crying toddler, a very angry man, a snoring seat mate and a medical emergency. Let’s rewind. After having to remove 25 lbs from my luggage, I was a bit frazzled. So, all I wanted to do was have a stiff drink and watch a couple of movies. My strategy for cheating jet lag was to trick my body into the schedule that I was flying into …. so yes, I was a titch worried about how I was going to stay up for the first 7 hours of the flight when my mind and body wanted it to be nytnyt time ….
ah, no worries. God was going to help me through it. I fastened my seat belt, said a little prayer and plugged myself into my tunes. As I felt my eyes drifting into sleepytime mode, the plane dipped! Yes, dipped. Holy smokes: seat belts on and fastened crazy tight. In all of my years of flying quite frequently, I was proud of not being the silly woman freaked out on the plane with every little jolt …. ah no, keeping calm was out the window (no pun intended). I was officially freaked out. The plane shook terribly for about the 10 longest minutes of my life. We finally got out of the air pockets that were jolting us, so they started serving dinner. I am usually always very thankful for any food, but I passed on cleaning my plate with this one. That was the blandest chicken kaldareta I have ever had. No worries though… it was just enough to drive me to the edge of consuming boxed wine – YAY! Feeling a bit lighter now about my experience thus far … I witness the toddler playing peekaboo with the short tempered man in front of him and grandma. hahaha .. apparently, the man didn’t volunteer to be the kids sidekick for any part of the flight. I believe that about 40 to 50 minutes have now passed and he hasn’t stopped sobbing and yelping …. finally Shags catches his attention .. I smile and wave. He hushes. ahhhhhh thank The Lord. W
AHHHHHH no …. kid continues to cry.. I lean forward to ask Lola if I may sit next to them for a second … I know what you’re thinking … and yes, I was thinking the same thing: WTH???????? what do I know about consoling a waling child. Hour 3: Sammy, is still asleep somewhat on me with his head on Shag’s and his baby bottle dangling from his loosening death grip. It was kinda sweet, but yes, now I smell like rotten milk … ha! I shift and finally make my way back to my seat. ah yes, I liked occupying my time, but Sammy sleeping was making me sleepy and I still had 4 hours to go. ok ok … movie time. hmmmm, wedding singer or the island. eh, conspiricy of course. DANG, my movie is interrupted by an announcement. WHAT???! OMG!!! They just asked for any doctor to be available to assist another passenger. The Ob/Gyn seated next to me volunteers her and I to go. What?! ?Just because I clean teeth, wear scrubs and walk around with a mouth condom, doesn’t make me quite qualified to attempt to save a life. It’s been about an hour now with half the plane in the back tending to this new attraction. Nothing like an older woman having a slight panic attack to help refresh my meek American Heart Assoc. Training. Back to our seats we go with cheers and pats on the back for checking vitals and offering a cold compress …. I’m slightly delirious so I have to do something else to occupy myself. Au revoir for now. It’s time to take my periodic stroll through the plane.

This first flight has gotten better and better with every hour …. facetious much?! Maybe just a titch … so, Captain Lou gets on the horn to advise that we are being diverted to Honolulu so that the passenger can get off and have a full medical evaluation at an actual hospital. Who knows how long we’ll be here. and no i’m not being insensitive … she was smiling when they wheeled her off lol …

OMG so I actually got some really good sleep. I can’t believe though how long this flight has been. I felt as if everytime someone asked how much longer we had only a minutes passed by. I was really happy with everyone adapting though. I was really trying to be a bit more receptive to my culture than allow the snooty Kat to come out. Breakfast was just served and I had an opportunity to watch a travel snippet. It was on Bali. UGHHHHH I’m so excited. I hope everything works out better than I had hoped. In all honesty, I’m not really sure what it is that I am expecting. Anyways … I believe that we are about to land so I should prepare. It’s so difficult to try and guess what time it is; when my clock refreshed; or how much time has lapsed between time zones. I’m excited to see Ate Doyet and for some reason have a cigarette. I’ll finish up the day as I settle into my life for the next month at Tita Baby’s. The sun is shining brightly though the selected few windows that have been raised. Can’t wait for a cocktail.