I love connecting with creators, creatives, and other inspiring people in the San Diego community and beyond. Recently, I contributed some tips on Feng Shui and Design on the lifestyle website Thyme & Presence. Read more: What Makes A House a Home – Q + A with D. Conti
In return, I got the chance to talk with Katie Zupan-Lehman, founder of Thyme and Presence. Katie received her bachelor’s degree in Psychology and her master’s degree in Nursing/Family Nurse Practitioner from Case Western Reserve University and she is a Certified Mindfulness Practitioner. Keep reading for more insight on this wonderful mind-, body-, and soul-enriching resource!
WHAT IS THYME AND PRESENCE?
Thyme & Presence is a website – a space created to nourish the mind + body + spirit. We feature stories on self-care, healthy recipes, mindfulness tips and book reviews. Our goal is to provide time in the day to reconnect. It’s difficult not to get caught up in the busyness that has become most people’s lives in the digital world! Multitasking has become the pace and yet according to numerous studies, the repercussions of sustained stress on one’s health are undeniable (anxiety, depression, gastrointestinal disorders, sleep problems, anger).
Taking a few minutes in the day to nourish yourself has proven health benefits to oneself and towards those around you. DAILY PRESENTS will be available in May! The intention of DAILY PRESENTS is to make it easier for you to take 10 minutes every day for yourself! DAILY PRESENTS are small digital gifts of presence, self-care, and mindfulness. We will provide you with actions to take that stimulate your mind, body and spirit and improve your day. Besides, who doesn’t like opening a present? The anticipation, the sense of wonderment, the possibilities, and the space you allow yourself to be in the moment. To simply put down your phone, place your computer on sleep, close your door and put out the Do Not Disturb Sign. Thyme & Presence was created to share ideas true to the Greek symbolic nature of Thyme (courage, style, elegance, mood enhancement, and stress reduction) as well as cultivating a more present lifestyle.
WHY DID YOU START THYME AND PRESENCE?
My training is as a Nurse Practitioner and psychology. For the past 18 years, I have been in the pharmaceutical, biotech and genomic space, which allowed me to see intimately how environment and lifestyle affect our health. Most recently, I worked for a brain health and genetic company where through my interactions with psychiatrists, I developed a profound interest in the mind-body connection. I noticed that younger children were being treated for conditions like anxiety and depression.
It’s not difficult to notice the impact that our busy lives have on ourselves and our children. People are craving a time to reset, become more focused and deepen their connection with themselves, their surroundings and with others. I have three young boys and was struggling with juggling a full-time job, being the mom I wanted to be, and still having time for myself – as many people do!
I started to integrate meditation, mindfulness and taking just 10 minutes at the start of my day to reconnect. This little time had such a tremendous impact and really improved my life! Taking just ten minutes to myself allowed me to be more present the rest of my day because I wasn’t mentally fighting to find some precious ‘me time.’ When you don’t take a little time for yourself, it’s easy to become resentful of anything that gets in your way. Taking breaks is scientifically proven to create a more focused and creative mind and improve mood. Because this helped me so much, I decided to become certified as a Mindfulness Practitioner and teamed up with my business partner to help others.
Thyme & Presence and DAILY PRESENTS is a space we created for people to step back and reconnect. To nourish themselves so they are more present with their surroundings and those around them.
WHAT CAN READERS EXPECT FROM THYME AND PRESENCE?
When you visit our site we hope that you feel that the space we have created is informative, inspiring and thought-provoking. DAILY PRESENTS is a very simple and effective tool for you to use to incorporate just 10 minutes into your day. We hope that once you begin to open your DAILY PRESENTS you become inspired, feel less stressed, more focused and refreshed.
WHAT AREAS DOES THYME AND PRESENCE COVER?
Thyme and Presence offers information on popular self-care topics as well as mindfulness tips and healthy recipes. We also provided guided meditations. All of the areas we cover are created to nourish your mind + body + spirit.
I WAS ABLE TO CONTRIBUTE SOME FENG SHUI ADVICE TO THYME AND PRESENCE… IN YOUR OPINION, WHY SHOULD PEOPLE BE INTERESTED IN FENG SHUI?
I feel that people should be interested in Feng Shui because we spend a lot of time in our homes. This is a space where memories are made with ourselves, family members and really any person that walks into our home. Feng Shui is a manner in which you give life to your home. By creating harmony and understanding the flow of energy, you have a way to infuse your unique energy to transform any space in your home. Maybe some of us have certain areas in our home where we like to sit and read, meditate or just take a break. Incorporating Feng Shui allows you to create more spaces like this so that every room creates a unique energy and feel. The principles of Feng Shui are inspiring and are a simple way to make your house a home that you love to come home to.
WILL THYME AND PRESENCE BE HOSTING EVENTS, WORKSHOPS OR SEMINARS IN THE FUTURE?
Yes. Being in healthcare, it was important for me to communicate sound information to our audience. We have teamed up with a very reputable MD, Naturopath, Chiropractor and Nutritionist. We are currently planning local discussions in Southern California. The first topic we are planning on covering is how to integrate technology into your life without it taking over your life. The information will be available on our website soon
WHICH OTHER BRANDS AND SMALL BUSINESSES DOES THYME AND PRESENCE COLLABORATE WITH?
We are currently collaborating with some lovely people! Some of these businesses are Pure Enchantment, Amour de Colour, Navitas, Aveda, Primally Pure, Chocolatl, Roen Candles, Solstice Canyon, Genomind, and By Rosie Jane.
We love being inspired by others and would love to collaborate with individuals or businesses that align with our intentions.
WHAT’S THE BEST WAY TO STAY UP TO DATE WITH THYME AND PRESENCE?
The best way is by signing up to receive our latest news and giveaways on our website. We don’t believe in sending lots of emails so this is just a simple weekly email of what stories we are featuring . We also host a lot of Giveaways so you are automatically entered into the drawings by signing up.
IS THYME AND PRESENCE ON SOCIAL MEDIA?
Yes! We are active on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest! We would love to get to know you!
Facebook: /thymeandpresence
Pinterest: /thymeandpresence
D Conti Living’s goal is to offer interior design and feng shui services that complement each other. When feng shui and interior design work together, the result is harmony, joy, and abundance.
Is your home craving a refresher? Are you interested in getting started with Feng Shui and Interior Design? I’m offering FREE initial consultations to all new clients. I look forward to hearing from you!
Also read my reviews here!