Monday was Presidents’ Day. Today is Presence Day.

On Monday, I heard chatter that caught my attention.

People were saying they wanted to opt out. Not from a program or a commitment, but from a holiday because they didn’t like who was in office.

Let me be clear: this isn’t a political post. I’m not here to tell you what to think, who to support, or how to vote.

I’m here to tell you the truth I’ve learned the hard way:

You can’t outsource your peace, your purpose, or your progress to whoever sits in a seat of power.

Your calling doesn’t pause when leadership changes. Your healing doesn’t go on hold because the headlines make you tired. Your best life doesn’t wait until the world becomes easier to live in.

On Monday, and every day after, I declared something different:

Monday was Presidents’ Day. Today is Presence Day.

Presence Day is the day you decide to be present:

• • To show up for yourself.

• • To stop leaking power.

• • To get back in the driver’s seat of your own destiny.

The real problem isn’t politics, it’s presence.

When people say, “I’m opting out or checking out,” what they often mean is:

• • “I’m overwhelmed.”

• • “I feel powerless.”

• • “I’m tired of disappointment.”

• • “I don’t trust the future.”

• • “I’ve been carrying too much for too long.”

And I get it.

But checking out doesn’t protect you—it postpones you.

When you opt out emotionally, spiritually, mentally, your life still moves forward. You’re just no longer steering it.

Presence Day is about getting your hands back on the wheel.

PRESENCE: a daily power practice

Here’s the framework I use when I feel the pull to shut down.

P — Pause

Before you react to the noise, pause. One minute of stillness can save you from a week of spiraling.

R — Reclaim your agency

Ask: What is mine to control today?

Your calendar. Your choices. Your boundaries. Your habits. Your words. Your next step.

E — Exhale the weight

Release the pressure to have an opinion on everything and a solution for everyone. Breathe out the “should.”

S — Select your focus

You don’t need more information—you need alignment. Choose one priority that moves your purpose forward.

E — Engage your values

Let values lead, not vibes. When you live by your values, your life stops being fragile.

N — Name your next right step

Not the whole plan. The next step. One email. One workout. One draft. One application. One boundary.

C — Cut the leaks

Where is your power leaking? Doom scrolling. People pleasing. Overexplaining. Debating strangers. Delaying decisions.

E — Execute with grace

You don’t have to be perfect. You have to be present.

That’s Presence Day.

Alesha’s “Presence Day” checklist (do this today)

If you do nothing else, do these five:

1. 1. Write your one goal for today (one sentence)

1. 1. Take a 10-minute action toward it immediately

1. 1. Set one boundary (even a small one)

1. 1. Speak one truth you’ve been avoiding (to yourself counts)

1. 1. End the day with a win list (3 wins, even tiny ones)

Presence isn’t a feeling. It’s a decision repeated.

Your purpose requires your participation.

The world will always have a reason to distract you, discourage you, or convince you to delay your destiny.

But you weren’t created to be a spectator in your own life.

The people who change their lives aren’t the ones with the least obstacles—they’re the ones who practice presence anyway.

So if you felt yourself wanting to opt out, let this be your reset.

Not because everything is perfect, not because you feel ready, but because your purpose is real and it deserves your participation.

For the action takers: