Life recently
I can’t believe it’s almost mid June already! Life this year has just flown by. I’ve realized more and more the past few months how much I crave being in a more simple place. I’ve been in New York almost 4 and a half years now and I’ve been trying so hard to keep enjoying the things I love about the city and sticking to my routines that keep me grounded in the hustle and bustle but some days I am just so over it and ready for a change. Butttt trying to stay in the present and remind myself that this city is forever a love/hate relationship.
I went to Costa Rica in May for a friend’s wedding and being with some of my closest friends dancing under the stars to celebrate love was one of the most magical nights. And Costa Rica was a place that just made me feel so at home. The lifestyle filled with yoga, the ocean, surfing, the most amazing coffee- it was a dream and I just felt so at peace there. After the wedding I went to Nosara which was about a three hour drive to a yoga resort and that was also just one of the best experiences but in a completely different way. I decided not to do their set yoga retreat but rather made my own little retreat with the classes they offered daily.
Every morning I woke up and journaled with my morning coffee on the porch outside my room (with incense burning) and then I headed to breakfast and read “Living Untethered” before going to a spin class at 9 am. After spin I went straight to a vinyasa yoga class (walking through all the paths surrounded by a million plants). And the rest of the day was followed by either walks on the beach or just relaxing by the pool or going to a yin yoga class. Every evening I sat at the bar for dinner meeting different people at the resort. And the bartender made the best mocktails I have ever had in my life.
I needed a week like that. Just living fully in the present with my phone on airplane mode most of the time and just reconnecting with myself and also having conversations with some amazing people. You know those people you just click with right away and it feels like you’ve met before? I met a few people there who it felt like that with and meeting people on vacation is always so fun. I love hearing other’s stories. We all come from such different places but we have so much we can connect about regardless where we’re from.
My mind and my emotions had been all over right before that trip so it helped to really ground me in a way that I needed more than I even knew.
And after that trip I’ve tried really hard to hold onto the practices that I know I need for myself. My morning meditation, my walk, reading inspiring books, journaling, yoga, surrounding myself with people who mean the most to me and not getting caught up in those thoughts that take me away from the present. Movement and music have always been my medicine too and what helps me to just feel good overall.
I think it’s so important to find the things that work for you for your mental, physical, emotional, and spiritual health. It’s all connected. I’m someone who can most definitely be anxious if I don’t do the things I need for myself. And after knowing what it feels like when I’m caught up in one of those moments (thankfully doesn't happen often anymore) but I strive my hardest to not let that happen because I know it affects how I show up in all other areas of my life as well.
New York has tested me to find what I need for myself here. I think you can find what grounds you no matter where you are in life and there will always be challenging situations that you’re faced with. Times where your mind will go down that spiral when you know deep down that you need to let something go or when you get caught up in the negative and forget the amount of things you have to be grateful for. That’s life and we’re human but every day now I strive to work towards keeping a positive outlook and remember that we only have this one life and that one life can change in a second. We never know what will happen but I’ve realized that focusing on being happy, grateful and making the most of what you’re being faced with while surrounding yourself with people you love is what truly matters.
Namaste