Welcome to Life at Play

Take a deep breath and settle in. We’re slowing down and finding the good stuff

A moment in real time—me at home in Serenbe, writing this very post.

Hi there!

I’m so excited to welcome you to Life at Play. Before I send out my first official post, I wanted to take a moment to introduce myself and share a little more about what you can expect here.

I’ve been living in Serenbe for the past four years, soaking up the slow mornings, winding trails, and small-town magic that makes this place feel like its own little world. But before I found my way here, my life looked a bit different.

I grew up in the Midwest, spent time in downtown Indianapolis and Atlanta, and built a career in the corporate tech world—chasing goals, climbing ladders, and checking every box of what I thought success was supposed to look like. I worked around the clock, answered emails from bed, and let my productivity define me—until I burned out in 2015. But more on that another day.

Fast forward to 2021. I was pregnant, in the middle of a pandemic, and I knew I needed something different. Something slower. More nature. More intention. More kids playing (& adults too). More people, like me, who wanted to live differently.

That craving led my husband, Greg, and I to Serenbe—but what I found here was more than just a beautiful place.

Very pregnant and freshly moved to Serenbe—snapped at The Inn with my husband and a dear friend.

Serenbe is an award-winning, wellness-focused, biophilic community just outside Atlanta, designed to connect people with nature and each other. (Biophilic—a new word to me when I moved here—basically means designing places to bring people and nature closer together. Think: houses tucked into trees, gardens instead of parking lots, and trails that lead you everywhere.)

With 70% of the land in Serenbe and the surrounding Chatt Hills area dedicated to conservation—forests, farms, and pastures woven into daily life—it’s a place where mornings start on the trails, neighbors gather on front porches, your compost feeds the neighborhood farm, and blueberry season feels like a holiday. Dropping by unannounced? That’s just part of the charm.

Backyard magic—beautiful turkey tail mushrooms hiding in plain sight.

But the real magic of Serenbe? The people.

I’ve never experienced a community like this before. It’s the kind of place where neighbors actually know each other—and not just in a polite, passing-by sort of way. People here show up. They share meals, offer support, and live life with intention, creativity, and joy.

And that’s exactly what Life at Play is all about.

I created Life at Play to make Serenbe life effortless—whether you live here, visit often, or just dream about a slower, more intentional way of living. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that navigating Serenbe—finding events, discovering hidden gems, and truly experiencing what makes this place so special—takes a little insider knowledge.

---

What You Can Expect

Each week, I’ll be sharing:

✨ Serenbe Secrets – The best places, hidden gems, and insider tips you won’t find on Google.
📅 Weekend Playbook – A curated look at what’s happening around Serenbe & Chatt Hills.
🌿 Slow Living & Everyday Magic – Thoughts on how to embrace a more intentional, playful way of life.
🚲 The Life at Play Lifestyle – Personal stories, bike rides, market mornings, and the little moments that make small-town living special.

And while Life at Play starts here in Serenbe, it’s also part of something bigger. I believe that slowing down, playing more, and reconnecting—with nature, with community, with yourself—is something we all need.

I also know that building this business is its own form of play. I’m experimenting with this, trying things out, and letting it evolve as I go. But while this is a creative process, I’m not coming into it blindly.

I’ve spent 15+ years in marketing, leading global teams, running events, and shaping brands. I’m a 400-hour trained yoga teacher and have spent years studying wellness, balance, and intentional living—not just as theory, but in my own life. I’ve completely shifted from overworking and over-consuming to embracing a simpler, healthier way of being. I’ve dealt with gut imbalances, perioral dermatitis, and other health challenges that have shaped how I think about wellness and the choices we make every day.

And I know I’m not alone in this.

That’s why I’m here—creating Life at Play as a space to share, explore, and invite you into a different way of moving through the world.

Because sometimes, all it takes is sunshine, dirt under your feet, and a deep breath to feel like yourself again.

Front porch moments with my people—Greg, Rory, and Dottie. (Photo: Tessa DiLeo)

So, if you’re ready to explore, connect, and play more—this is just the beginning.

Welcome to Life at Play. See you in the comments!

—Gina xx

P.S. Know someone who’d love this? Please pass it along.