Date: Monday, February 23, 2026
Hi! I’m Libby Smith, a Circle Keeper and practice guide. I have a commitment to organizing bodies and relationships towards interdependence and care. I’m passionate about how our internal shape impacts our professional practice. In a field that often favors rapid, linear progress and the pursuit of perfectionism, I’ve found that the most transformative evaluations happen when we prioritize a different way of being: one rooted in embodied practice and intentional presence.
It is easy to fall into the trap of thinking we are objective observers. However, who we are and how we practice will always affect the outcomes of our work. Systems of oppression often thrive on our continued disconnection from ourselves and others; they interfere with our ability to live into our deepest values. When we operate on autopilot, we risk replicating those same systems in our data collection, analysis, and reporting.
I’ve learned that embodiment—noticing the sensations and emotions in your body—increases awareness of the dynamic forces influencing our expectations and habits. By reclaiming our connection to our own bodies, we create a clear, body-based place to return to when the pressure of a project or a difficult stakeholder meeting begins to mount.
Centering is a core somatic practice designed to build your capacity to find presence under pressure. It is not about arriving at a “perfect” state of calm; rather, it is a daily practice of intentional orientation toward your values.
When you practice Centering, you become more open and connected to what is. You begin to feel your own emotions and “story” in the moment, which allows you to distinguish between your own biases and the reality of the evaluation context. It acts as a compass, navigating you toward choices that align with your values. It’s a practice that actively helps us close the gap between what we say we believe and how we actually behave.
When we are stressed or rushed, our habitual patterns often lead us to become judgmental or rigid. To move toward aligned action, try this quick somatic check-in:
Do you have questions or anecdotes about how you stay aligned with your values in your evaluation practice? Please share in the comments!
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