What You Don’t See Controls You

Emotional awareness, body-based check-ins, and what’s happening in Serenbe & Chatt Hills this week

This season, I’ve been getting quiet.

Not just “turn off the notifications” quiet.

More like sit-still-enough-to-hear-your-body-whisper kind of quiet.

And I have Intrinsic Leadership Experience at Academy Within to thank for that.

I recently wrapped up an incredible three-month leadership experience held right here in Chatt Hills at Jordan’s Ridge (just across from Serenbe). It’s led by my former neighbor, Pepper Bullock, and Georgia State professor, Jonathan Orr—and it cracked something open for me.

It’s a small, intentional group of leaders exploring emotional awareness together. We laughed, cried, got uncomfortable, got honest. On the surface, it’s about grounded leadership, emotional intelligence, and executive presence.

But what it really is? A wake-up call.
Not the kind that yells at you.
The kind that gently taps your shoulder and says, “Hey… are you paying attention?

Photo Credit: Tessa DiLeo

It brought back so much of what I learned during my 300-hour advanced yoga teacher training with Neda Honarvar back in 2019—but somehow, this time, it landed deeper.

I left more aware than I’ve ever been.
Not just of what I feel—but how I feel it.
Not just of what I say—but why I say it.

And let me tell you—
The stuff you don’t notice?
It’s usually the stuff running the show.

---

In today’s issue:

• 👀 Seeing What’s Usually Invisible

• 🧺 My Self-Guided Summer Farm Tour

• 📍 For the Locals – Events this Week + In Case You Missed It

---

👀 Seeing What’s Usually Invisible

A few personal practices and reminders I’ve been carrying with me since the Intrinsic Leadership Experience at Academy Within. Sharing them here in case they land for someone else too.

There’s a quote I’ve been reflecting on:

“Until you make the unconscious conscious, it will direct your life and you will call it fate.” —Carl Jung

That line stopped me in my tracks.

For me, it means catching those auto-pilot moments—the rushed “I’m fine,” the over-explaining, the urge to make things feel tidy.

I’m learning to pause long enough to ask:
“Is this true? Or is this just familiar?”

Even just asking softens something.

Jonathan and Pepper, mid-magic. Grateful for the space they hold, the questions they ask, and the way they invite us all to go deeper.

Your Body Reacts Before Your Brain

Tight shoulders. A clenched jaw. A breath you forgot to take.

These are my body’s smoke detectors—firing off signals before my brain catches up. And lately, I’m learning to listen.

Our bodies often speak first. They send subtle messages—tension, tightness, butterflies, a lump in the throat. I’ve started treating those as invitations to tune in.

Have you ever noticed how your belly responds before your words do?
Whether it’s knots, fluttering, or that sinking feeling—it might be your body’s quiet way of saying, “Something’s up.”

Instead of pushing through, I’ve been practicing pausing to ask:
“What’s trying to get my attention here?”

Sometimes the answer is move.
Sometimes it’s breathe.
Sometimes it’s cry in the car and call it sacred.

Whatever it is, it’s not about fixing.
It’s about noticing.

Each emotion lights up or weighs down different areas—proof that our bodies always feel things before our brains make sense of them.

Curious, Not Furious

This is a phrase I’ve been leaning on when my reactions feel bigger than the moment.

Instead of spiraling into “What’s wrong with me?”, I’ve started asking:
“What’s going on for me here?”

Sometimes the answer is simple—I’m overtired.
Other times, it’s something deeper. An old belief. A fear. A pattern.

But when I meet it with curiosity instead of criticism, it changes everything.

This Is the Work—And the Play

I started Life at Play because I wanted to live a slower, richer life.
One with more room for joy. For nature. For presence.

But here’s the truth: I don’t have it all figured out.
I still default to doing too much.
Still catch myself hustling—even in a place designed to help you slow down.

But I’m learning.
Unlearning.
Softening.

This isn’t about getting it right.
It’s about showing up—again and again—with honesty, breath, and a little more grace.

So if you’re in a season of noticing more, feeling more, or untangling old patterns—
You’re not behind.
You’re becoming.

Has your body been trying to tell you something lately?
I’d love to hear. You can drop a note in the comments or hit reply—I read every one.

---

🧺 My Self-Guided Summer Farm Tour

This summer, I’m packing up my kids and going full Little House on the Prairie (but make it Chatt Hills).

We’re doing a self-guided farm tour—slow mornings, dirt under our nails, baby goats if we’re lucky. I want to learn more, meet the growers, and spotlight the incredible food and animals being raised right here in Chatt Hills so I can share it with all of you.

If you have a farm you think we should visit—or if you run a farm and want to be part of this—I’d be honored to stop by. We’ll share your story, snap some pics, and tell our community about what you’re growing and how to support local. Just reply or shoot me an email.

---

📍 For the Locals

EVENTS THIS WEEK: April 25–May 4 | Serenbe + Chatt Hills

FRIDAY, APRIL 25

• Elevate & Recharge: weekend for women entrepreneurs | all weekend

• Acorn to Oak Health – Office Open House | 10am –7pm| One Mado, Ste 320

• Pop-up Market | 11am–5pm | ft sustainable jewelry, handbags & women's clothing at Allchemy

• Farmhouse Fridays | 5:30–8:30pm | Live porch music at The Farmhouse

• Jazz Night with Sounds of April and Randall | 7:30pm | The Inn (Oak Room)

• Musical Comedy: SINNER | 7–9pm all weekend | Music Barn

SATURDAY, APRIL 26

• Nature Walk with Local Naturalist | 8am | Featuring Giff Beaton — meet at Terra School

• Serenbe Farmers Market | 9am–1pm | Grange Green

• Serenbe Organic Plant Sale | 9am–1pm | Serenbe Farm

• Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament | Reg at 10am. Matches at 12pm | Genesis BJJ at Gainey Hall

• Soberish Free Tasting | 12 – 4pm | Soberish

• Flowers & Feathers Spring Festival | 11am – 4pm | Bear Creek Nature Center

• Sound Healing Above the Horses | 1:15–2:30pm | Soul Barn

• PBC Car Show | 10am–2pm | Cars from pre-WWII at Palmetto Baptist Church

• Mother/Daughter Tea | 12:30–2pm | Providence Baptist Church

• Tough Mudder Atlanta | all day | Bouckaert Farm

• Serenbe Farms Tour | 3–4pm | Serenbe Farms

• Terra School Fête | 5:30pm | The Inn, Lakeside Pavilion

• Gather Round | 6 –7pm | Live music with Rusty Zarse at Birdhouse Market

SUNDAY, APRIL 27

• Women’s Network: Discussion on Your Financial Wellbeing | 3–5pm | Serenbe Home

• Awareness Meditation | 10am | Free weekly meditation with Kim Ferrari | Soul Barn

• Georgia Renaissance Festival | 10:30am–6pm | Every weekend through June 1 in Fairburn

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 30

• Chatt Hills AI Meetup | 9:30am | Jeff Smith’s home

• Awareness Meditation | 1–1:45pm | Free weekly meditation with Kim Ferrari | Soul Barn

FRIDAY, MAY 2

• Farmhouse Fridays | 5:30–8:30pm | Live porch music every Friday evening

SATURDAY, MAY 3

• Serenbe Farmers Market | 9am–1pm | Grange Green

• Coffee Talks for Serenbe Residents | 9–10am | Get to know your neighbors and learn more about the Serenbe community over coffee

• Hydrosols Workshop | 2–3pm | Serenbe Farms

• South Fulton Plant Sale at Fairburn | 2–6pm | 320 NW Broad St, Fairburn

• Cinco De Mado | 4–7pm | 272 Mado Ln

• Group Reiki with Alex Bravo | 6:15–7:30pm| Soul Barn

• Old World Wine Dinner Tour | 6:30pm | The Farmhouse

• Bee Movie Night | 7pm–10pm | Wildflower Meadow

SUNDAY, MAY 4

• Spring Serenbe Resident Party – 20th Anniversary | 3–5pm | Grange Green

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT:

• Spring Into Strength: Outdoor Workout Series | A 4-week fitness flow led by Shari Zisk, held in scenic Serenbe locations. Think full-body sculpting meets nature + fascia-friendly movement. Two time slots (Mon or Tues). More details

• Nature Walk with Giff Beaton – 4/26 at 8AM | Instead of the usual trail workday, join local naturalist Giff Beaton for a guided walk starting at Terra School. He’s an expert on birds, insects, and fungi—come learn something new on the trails. April 26, 8AM

• Musical Comedy Sinner – This Weekend | One-woman show by Marla Torgerson blending dark humor, music, and raw storytelling. Unpacks purity culture, spiritual exile, and reclaiming voice. April 25–27 in Palmetto. Register to attend.

• Free Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu Tournament + Raffle 4/26 | Team Genesis BJJ is hosting a free community competition at Gainey Hall (registration at 10am, matches at 12pm). The event supports kids who want to train but can’t afford it.

• Allchemy = Low-Waste Legends | Tony and April are doing more than selling clean products—they’re actively reducing waste in the area. Every item is non-toxic and septic safe, most come in refillable glass or aluminum, and they’re helping locals cut down on packaging. Bonus: they’re hosting a pop-up (4/25, 11–5) with Las Ferias—featuring Latin American designers. allchemyshop.com

• New UPS Store | Opened across from The Legacy Theater in Tyrone (1486 State Rd 74), just 20 minutes from Serenbe.

• Aesthetic Medicine with a Serenbe Touch | Amanda Fowler, a Serenbe resident and Physician Assistant, offers natural-looking injectables, microneedling, and skin treatments with a conservative, holistic approach. Most locals visit her at her Newnan office. Call 770-461-4000 to book.

• Live-Edge Shelves at the Farmers Market | Larry Jerome is bringing handcrafted shelves and furniture to the Serenbe Farmers Market—each piece made from locally sourced hardwoods and inspired by the George Nakashima style. Custom orders welcome.

• Locally Foraged Buffalo Mushrooms at Austin’s | This weekend’s feature stars Chicken of the Woods mushrooms—hand-foraged by Chef Matt and tossed in buffalo sauce, with gorgonzola slaw, a brioche bun, and hand-cut frites. Reservations

Stay in the Loop – I’m working on an event calendar (launching in the next week or two) & business directory, but for now, find everything happening in Serenbe & Chatt Hills on this Google Sheet. Missing something? Add it directly or email me the details!

Want to Be Featured in Life at Play? – This newsletter is all about celebrating the incredible people, businesses, and experiences in Serenbe & Chatt Hills. Whether you're launching something new, hosting an event, or have a great story to share, let’s get the word out! Reply via email hello@lifeatplay.co or drop a comment to be featured.

See you in the forest,

xx Gina

P.S.

If this made you laugh, nod in agreement, or immediately think of someone who needs to read it, go ahead and tap that little heart or comment—it helps more people find this.