The MOST important lesson I learned from living in Costa Rica

​A Lesson in Mindfulness

The biggest lesson for me this week has been mindfulness.

Being here has been such a beautiful reminder of how important it is to truly be present.
Back home, one of my greatest goals is to live more mindfully. Even though I work from home and have intentionally created a slower, more relaxed lifestyle, I still catch myself rushing through my days. Sometimes I'm so busy that I don't even make dinner for myself or my partner.

Here, though, you don't really have a choice.

You have to be mindful.

In Costa Rica, there are many venomous snakes—I believe around 22 species, although don't quote me on that! Knowing that changes the way you move through the world.
Every step becomes intentional.

Last night, we were walking home after a wonderful dinner along a dark road. We had to be mindful of the fast-moving cars speeding past us, making sure we stayed safely out of the road. At the same time, we couldn't walk too close to the ditch because that's where a snake might be hiding.

Every single step required our attention.

And I love that.

I love that daily practice of being completely present.

We're also very mindful of the ants.

There are tiny ants everywhere here. I jokingly call them fire ants because they're so small, yet they have such a powerful bite.

When we put our yoga mats down, we have to make sure we're not setting them on top of an ant trail. Otherwise, our yoga practice becomes a very different experience!

Even keeping the house clean requires mindfulness.

If we leave even a little honey on the counter or forget to wipe up a few crumbs, the ants quickly remind us.

It's amazing how nature encourages us to stay aware.

This week, I've also been paying close attention to my own energy.

Yesterday, I stopped and asked myself,
"Do I really have the energy to walk for an hour in 30-degree heat and high humidity just to get to the river?"

The answer was no.

I needed time to rest and recharge first.

And that's okay.

Mindfulness also means honoring the energy we have instead of constantly pushing through.
I've also become much more aware of time.

Back home, entire months seem to disappear before I even notice. Suddenly another full moon has passed, another season has changed, and I wonder where the time went.

Because we're preparing for a new chapter in our lives, we know our time here is limited.

That awareness has made me ask myself a beautiful question:

If I never came back here, what would I want to experience before I leave?

I think that's a question worth asking ourselves every day.

If this were my last week somewhere...

What would be non-negotiable?

What experiences would truly matter?

What could wait?

That simple question puts everything into perspective.

Even preparing food has become a mindfulness practice.

At home, I might quickly heat something in the microwave without giving it much thought.

Here, breakfast has become what I call our smoothie ceremony.

We begin by walking through the warm morning air to the local market.

We choose fresh fruit, chat with the local vendors, exchange a few words in Spanish, pack everything carefully into our bags, and walk home together.

Once we're back, we thoughtfully wash, cut, and prepare each piece of fruit.

We juice fresh oranges and limes instead of buying juice in a carton.

We pay attention to what needs to be eaten first so nothing goes to waste.

The entire process has become part of the experience.

It's no longer just about making breakfast.

It's become a ritual.

One of the biggest realizations I've had is that I don't have to leave this way of living behind when I go home.

I can bring it with me.

I can prepare meals more slowly.

I can create little ceremonies throughout my day.

I've never considered myself someone who loves cooking.

But here, preparing meals has become one of the highlights of my day.

Maybe it isn't the cooking itself that I enjoy.

Maybe it's the mindfulness.

Maybe it's slowing down enough to truly experience each moment.
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And that's a lesson I hope to carry home with me.