We recently had a conversation with Rachel Garahan, a mother, an author, creative, and personal-growth facilitator known for offering unconventional tools for self-discovery. Her brand, Of It All, emerged out of necessity, inspired by practices she developed to find respite and access the inner resources needed to nourish a busy life. Rachel’s mission is to empower women to reclaim space for themselves, to pause, find clarity, and tap into their inner wisdom. Read on for simple ways to learn more about yourself—and how act on messages from your inner voice.
LHM
Who is Rachel Garahan? And how did your life path lead you to where you are now?
RG
I am a mother, author, entrepreneur and brand strategist inspired by inner journey. From leaving my hometown in Vermont to backpack around the world at age 18, to interning at a top modeling agency and travel magazine during college, to photographing headshots in the Venice Beach alleyways in my 20’s, to bringing my 3 babies into the world and fulfilling some major creative visions in my 30’s—it’s been beautiful to look back at the path and see how see how all the varied experiences of exploration, curation, creativity, and nurture have woven together the perspective I carry today.
LHM
How has journaling and self-reflection supported you? How can it support one's motherhood journey?
RG
Journaling is a place of spaciousness, of release, of truth, of direction. These are gifts that have supported me throughout my whole life, but as a mother, I’ve found it even more necessary to root into my own sense of self. Not only to better hold the family container and the needs of little ones that come with it, but because as mothers we are expected to do it all, and to do so according to endlessly contradictory edicts and opinions. Journaling is a free way to clear the noise, clear our minds, and reset back into our strongest self.
LHM
You discuss a lot about our 'inner knowing' and how living from this place will guide us to more intentional living. Can you share more on this?
KR
One of the taglines for my brand Of It All is “Pause, Listen, Act, Become.” It’s not only the formula my offerings support but I’d say it’s also my general life’s approach. The Pause is most important. When we’re always moving so fast and doing so much, it’s hard to catch the nuances of life. Regularly taking the time to pause is easier said than done but prioritizing a moment to listen inward is the first step. I have this time scheduled in my calendar for every Friday. From here, I try to tune into the energy of the week, and write about what’s happened in my life, and how I’m feeling about it. Usually as I’m doing this, messages or ah-ha moments will arise. It’s my job to Listen and scribe them. Next is to Act. Whatever it is that has come up, once I’ve acknowledged it—perhaps I’m craving a hike, or to go get gelato, or to work from bed—I then follow through with my intuition’s requests. I’ve found that not doing so just makes them louder. This is less about making rash decisions and more about honoring whatever needs I know to be true. Lastly, through taking these actions, I become changed in some way big or small, and the cycle begins again. We are continually Becoming, and through this cycle of Pausing, Listening, Acting and Becoming, we evolve along our life’s journey with more intention and embodied choice.
LHM
What is something you are looking forward to?
RG
I’m leaning heavily into the themes of play and fun this year, and so I’m really looking forward to summer. My kids will be home more, and we have lots of holidays and activities planned. After a very busy winter and spring, I’m excited for a lighter, freeer feeling season!
LHM
Is there a journal exercise you would recommend for a mother who is about to give birth?
RG
Right before birth is a beautiful time to remember that you’re not just birthing your baby—you’re birthing with your baby. As partners, although really they are the ones steering the ship here! So journaling to them, opening that conversation of partnership and collaboration and openness can be really helpful for both releasing control and reaffirming that connection. Here’s a prompt for you: What do you want your baby to know as you approach their birth day? What do you sense they want you to know? Take a moment to connect with your baby from the perspective of your birthing partner.
LHM
Being a mother, a creative, an entrepreneur, what are some rituals that nourish you at the moment?
RG
Hot cacao and mushroom tonics in the morning, and long baths—we finally have a bathtub again after not having one for 7 years. Hinoki oil and incense at night.
LHM
Do you have a current song that is helping your harness more joy?
RG
My 8-year-old son and his friend introduced me to this song sometime last year, and it’s stuck with me as one that feels so wholesome and sweet and optimistic. It makes me think of them and I love to put it on when I need a little bit of that in my day. Beautiful Day by Trinax, Rushaw, Jermaine.
Of It All is a collection of guided self-care tools for accessing your own inner wisdom. Through journals, mediations, courses and workshops, we offer spaciousness and clarity–on the page, in your mind and in your life.
