On my first Sunday in Playa Pelada, I took a walk to La Luna, my favorite eatery by the beach. La Luna is situated right on the beach and is a great spot for mimosas at brunch or a cocktail at sunset. They have a cute shop with some beautiful clothes, perfect for a day or night out in Guiones. I had my eye on a cute outfit I’d seen a few days prior and so headed over, walking the half mile through the jungle, hoping it was still in stock. As I walked up onto the veranda, the shop was to my right and the cute, rattan tables and chairs overlooking the beach were to my left. I had this moment. This thought that I wanted to stay in flow with my day.

And I made a left.

I walked over to the table closest to the beach and sat down. When the server walked over, I ordered a mimosa and asked for the menu. For the next 2 hours, I watched the waves, ate a beautiful meal, drank champagne, and just…was.

For the next 3 weeks, I spent time tuning in to what my body wanted, what my spirit wanted. I let each day unfold as it was meant to.

I did yoga, I surfed, I ate, I went to sunset, I meditated, I laughed, I cried, I listened.

I had conversations and asked about food, and the rainy season, and pura vida. I did kambo and surfed and they both taught me the same thing.

Trust yourself. Don’t overthink. Let go.

And everything began to change.

I became more me, more of who I am, more of who I want to be. More intentional about who that is and how it feels. I became…more.

And I realize that allowing life to unfold and to flow doesn’t mean it will all be beautiful sunsets and great waves. It doesn’t mean I can suddenly do a bird of paradise pose in yoga. It doesn’t mean there won’t be global or personal conflict or that the job is perfect.

The rain will fall sometimes and the waters will get rough.

But here is what I learned about the rainy season and rough waters. Rainy season is the time when the earth turns green again. It is the time when the waves are bigger and more fun and the best time to surf. It is the time for pura vida after the hard work, the time for rest, the time for family. My friend, Chef Lindell, said, “Without pura vida, we would die trying to survive.” Pura vida is about balance and flow.

For me, the lesson of pura vida means that I can live my life with compassion for myself and for others. It means that I no longer use the word *should* in how I spend my time.

It means that I listen to my body and my soul about how I want to live my life, from the clothes that I wear to the people I spend time with to the work that I do.

Pura vida means that I choose to live in my own joy and in my own power.

Pura vida keeps me from dying to survive.

pura vida

Badass Skincare

Goodbye Phoenix