Sharing some pictures from a few days ago when we explored a little island. The views in Costa Rica have been nothing but breathtaking.. between the waterfalls, volcanos, mountain views and tropical jungle. There is such a peace about everywhere we have been. These pictures were from a day where we took a boat to an island and explored in the morning. The island is called Tortuga Island, named after its shape of a sea turtle (tortuga means turtle in Spanish.) The island was completely untouched and the jungle was so dense past the beach. There was no way to connect to the world beyond the island, the only thing to do was to just BE there. I talked a little about the power of just “being” in this post.. but wanted to add a new lens this time. The Pura Vida lens 🙂
Pura Vida literally means “pure life” or “simple life.” In Costa Rica however this is more than just a phrase, this is their way of living. Being alive is enough of a reason to be happy. Do good, spread good and teach good. I have found this to be soo evident in many ways, the homes here are simple, the food is simple, daily happiness seems to be found in nothing other than just existing. Simplicity = Happiness. The day to day hustle and bustle seems to come from no one except for the tourists here. I have never met more patient, friendly, calm and truly happy people than Costa Ricans. No one seems to be in a rush to get to the next thing, I have not witnessed anyone dismiss another out of lack of interest to talk to them or impatience. It is interesting to find myself noticing these things because it seems so straight forward… be kind, be patient, be helpful and be happy.
It is not until you witness pure selflessness do you realize how blinded we can be to selfishness.
Traveling gives me life, it opens my perspective to the world that we all share, inspires me with new creativity and gives me a lot of motivation to fulfill the person I’d like to become. After having a powerful experience such as travel it is easy to forget how that experience impacted you. It’s like when you go to school camp when you are in middle school! haha. You meet new classmates you’ve known forever but never reallyyy got to know. You make new friends, have the best time ever with them, share secrets, play MASH, and think you will be pals forever. But then when the trip ends and you go back to school, you and your new “best friends” slowly drift and so goes the status quo. Anyway! I’d like to change that, remember, reflect and practice the things I was inspired by while traveling.
With this in mind, here are 8 Pura Vida inspired things I would like to keep in mind after this trip is over:
♥ Don’t dwell on the past
♥ Counter every negative thought with 2 positives
♥ Practice patience through words and actions
♥ Spend more time doing things I want to do
♥ Do not worry about upsetting others
♥ Spend more time outside
♥ Find a better work / life balance
♥ Notice the present
♥ + one: more self love ♥
What is something you can work on for a more simple happiness? 🙂
stay tuned for our treehouse stay adventure!
Outfit Details:
// one piece (old, similar here) // sunglasses // hat (sold out, similar here)
