Nourishing What Matters Most: A Season of Intention
My name is Katie Lange, and I’m a project manager at Emerge. I help with all things video, social media, writing, media relations, and project management. I grew up in Manning and now live in Newell. Over the past year, the word ‘nourish’ has taken on a deeply personal meaning for me, shaping how I approach my work, my home, and the people I love.
What Does Nourish Mean to Me?
To me, nourish means being intentional about caring for something, prioritizing it, and putting in the effort to help it flourish. Nourishment requires attention, consistency, and the willingness to protect what matters so it can grow strong and healthy.
A Year of Refocusing and Realignment
This past year, I took a hard look at my life and realized that my daily routine had become overwhelming. It was affecting my physical, mental, and spiritual health, my relationships, and the parts of life I valued most. That reflection led me to make a big change: I cut back to working part-time and shifted my focus toward what truly matters.
That decision has allowed me to become more present as a mom, wife, daughter, sister, and friend. I started pouring more care into making our house a place where we can slow down and feel content. I also began taking better care of myself, emotionally and physically. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made. I now enjoy my work more deeply, take pride in it again, and feel more present with the people I love.
As I look ahead, my goal is to build on the lessons this year has taught me and continue nourishing the parts of my life that mean the most.
A Simple Daily Rhythm That Makes a Difference
One small but meaningful habit I’ve started is taking a lunch break without working at the same time. Stepping away, slowing down, and giving myself that pause has made a noticeable difference in how I feel throughout the day.
Nourishing Our Home Life
Our home is one of the most important places I try to nourish. A few simple practices have helped bring more peace and connection into our everyday routine:
- Meal prepping for the week (this saves time, money, and a lot of sanity!)
- Using a shared family calendar that everyone sees daily
- Eating at least one meal together as a family (bonus points if you put your phones away and turn TV off!)
- Spending time with people who lift you up and understand when you need to say no
These small rhythms have helped our home feel calmer, more intentional, and more supportive for everyone.
A Nourishing Comfort Food Recipe
One of my favorite ways to nourish my family, especially in the winter, is through comforting, home-cooked meals. This corn chowder is always my top request when I visit my parents, and it’s a recipe I come back to again and again.
Corn Chowder Recipe
Ingredients:
- 5 slices bacon
- 1 onion
- 2½ cups corn
- 1 can cream of mushroom soup
- 1 cup diced potatoes
Instructions:
Cook bacon until crisp in a large saucepan. Remove, drain, and crumble into strips. Reserve 2-3 tbsp of grease and cook onion in drippings until tender. Stir in milk, corn, soup, and potatoes. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat and simmer for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat and season to taste with salt and pepper. Top each bowl with bacon.
Final Thoughts on Nourishment
Nourishment looks different for everyone. Sometimes the best place to start is simply stepping back and asking yourself which areas of life you want to see improve, or which you want to see truly thrive. When you identify those areas and begin caring for them with intention, nourishment follows naturally.
This season has reminded me that slowing down isn’t a setback; it’s often the very thing that allows growth to happen.
Read our other team members’ perspectives on nourishment here!
