By Gina Maier Vincent, Executive Alignment Strategist and Founder of Exquisitely Aligned
Ask yourself this powerful question: What will they remember? Will your family recall heartfelt conversations and spontaneous laughter—or will they remember you distracted, glued to your phone?
Let’s cut to the chase: In our hyper-connected world, the real luxury isn’t your car or your watch—it’s having the power to be fully present in your own life.
The success paradox? We’ve mastered getting more while experiencing less. We’ve perfected efficiency while sacrificing presence. And let’s be honest—many of us have forgotten what true wealth actually feels like: moments fully lived, no phone in sight.
Recently, a high-achieving client confided in me: “I have everything I’ve ever wanted… so why do I feel like I’m missing something?” His calendar was packed, his bank account healthy, but what he truly craved? Time. Time to breathe. Time to think. Time to be with his children instead of just checking boxes on his parenting to-do list.
Sound familiar? That nagging sensation that, despite crushing it professionally, something essential is slipping through your fingers? The truth hits hard: the moments that matter most are often the ones you’re least present for, as you toggle between notifications, messages, and the endless scroll.
So, we made one shift—starting with screen time. But here’s the thing: it wasn’t just about unplugging. It was about reclaiming the space to live. Within weeks, he wasn’t just spending less time on his phone—he was outside, playing ball with his kids, feeling alive again. And the ripple effect? It touched every aspect of his life: marriage, professional life, and health.
What began as a simple boundary with technology exploded into something bigger. His energy returned. His creativity flourished. Most importantly, he stopped missing his own life.
If you’re reading this thinking, That’s me, then this isn’t just an article—it’s your wake-up call.
How to Reclaim Time, Presence, and Joy
Expand Time, Don’t Just Reduce Screen Time
Instead of “cutting back,” ask yourself: What do I want more of? Unrushed mornings? Real conversations? Adventures with your kids? When you focus on adding richness, screen time naturally shrinks.
This isn’t about restriction—it’s about expansion. It’s not what you’re missing out on; it’s what you’re finally tuning into.
Create Space for Meaningful Connection
Back-to-back obligations leave no space for you. But imagine intentionally creating gaps—moments for spontaneous joy, creative thinking, or even just watching the sunset without distraction. These Exquisite Gaps aren’t indulgences. They’re fuel.
In a culture that glorifies busy-ness, choosing spaciousness is your power move. These intentional pauses aren’t empty—they’re where life’s most precious moments hide. A child’s unexpected question. Your partner’s genuine smile. The breakthrough idea that arrives not when you’re pushing, but when you’re present.
Turn Daydreaming Into a Power Move
Doomscrolling is easy. But when’s the last time you let yourself dream? Set a timer for 60 seconds and imagine the life you truly want. That simple act rewires your brain for possibility.
This isn’t fluffy nonsense—it’s strategic vision-setting. By reconnecting with your deepest desires, you create an internal compass that cuts through the noise. When you know what matters most, decisions become clearer. Boundaries become non-negotiable. Time becomes yours again.
Anchor Intentionality in the Physical World
Place a tangible reminder—a photo or a luxury notebook—beside your phone. Each time you reach for it, pause. Ask: Is this in alignment with the life I truly desire?
Physical cues bypass your logical defenses and speak directly to your habits. This single practice can reclaim hours of your life each week—hours now available for what truly matters.
Create Sacred ‘Unplugged’ Spaces
What if your bedroom became a sanctuary? What if dinner became sacred? By making small, deliberate choices about where screens don’t belong, you reclaim presence effortlessly.
Designate specific areas as technology-free zones. Perhaps it’s the first hour after waking. Maybe it’s your dining table. These boundaries aren’t restrictions—they’re invitations to actually experience your own life.
Rise Above the Digital Noise
Before reacting to notifications, picture yourself in a helicopter, looking down at your life. Does this moment truly require your attention, or is it just a habit? This simple shift moves you from reacting to intentionally creating.
This “helicopter view” gives you the perspective you need right now. From up there, you can distinguish between truly urgent and merely noisy. You can spot the patterns that are stealing your attention and make changes that align with what you actually want.
Luxury Redefined: Time Well-Spent as the Ultimate Status Symbol
In a world where everyone is constantly connected, true luxury is the ability to disconnect whenever you please. The new status symbol isn’t the latest iPhone; it’s the confidence to put your phone away when others can’t. It’s the courage to prioritize presence over performance.
This shift isn’t just about personal fulfillment—it’s about professional edge. Leaders who master presence make better decisions. Parents who master presence raise more confident children. Partners who master presence create relationships that actually last.
The irony? When you stop letting technology control your time, you start using it more powerfully. You become the master of your tools, not their slave. Your social media becomes intentional, not compulsive. Your emails become productive, not distracting.
Ready to Step Into the Life That’s Been Waiting for You?
This isn’t about putting down your phone. It’s about picking up your life.
If you’re feeling the pull for something more—more connection, more clarity, more alignment—I invite you to take action:
Read Exquisitely Aligned: A Pocket Guide to Your Magnificent Future to uncover the shifts that transform an ordinary life into an extraordinary one.
Schedule a VIP Day with me to design a life that fuels your soul—without waiting years to figure it out. One day. One shift. A completely different way of living. Call me at 949-409-5330 or visit ExquisitelyAligned.com to take the first step.
Because the life you want isn’t someday. It’s waiting for you now.
Gina Maier Vincent is a Visionary Thought Leader and Master Motivator, she is an Inspirational Speaker, Author, and Empowerment Entrepreneur. A true New Yorker in her drive, captivating energy, and vivacious love for people, she was born and raised on Long Island but now calls Southern California home. Vincent is a self-starter who illuminates what others cannot see and inspires change. Her life has been a journey that prepared her to help others design the future they desire and deserve, today she guides people all over the globe on how to live exquisitely aligned. She is the Founder of Exquisitely Aligned, a 3-step proven 3-step proven system that guides high achievers in aligning their time, money, and energy with their truths, desires, and gifts so they can live their most magnificent lives. Her strategies empower clients to create the future they desire and deserve, ensuring they make the most of their valuable resources. Vincent’s book, “Exquisitely Aligned: A Pocket Guide to Design Your Magnificent Future,” released on February 11, 2025, and sold out in its first week. It encapsulates her mission to inspire authentic living. Recently, Orange Coast Magazine named her one of the Kick-Ass Women of 2025.
Vincent’s entrepreneurial endeavors have attracted a global audience through her Exquisitely Aligned Podcast and Exquisitely Aligned Show on E&A TV. From her notoriety, Vincent has become a dynamic speaker in high demand, captivating audiences with her compelling messages and profound insights. In addition to her many media appearances, she pens a monthly empowerment column for magazines titled “From Impact to Inspiration.”