Are you an extranjero visiting or living in the Costa Tropical area? Maybe you’re on holiday, returning for the summer or have decided to stay awhile. Welcome!
As someone who supports people through major life transitions and has been living in the area on a Digital Nomad Visa for almost a year, here’s some thoughtful tips to help you feel empowered on your journey.
No matter where you go in the world or how long you stay, the habits and rituals you cultivate are important to your overall well-being. Wherever you go, there you are. You have needs to be met and preferences that require awareness. It’s necessary to adapt your interests and practices when you’re in a new place or life chapter. Below are a few ways to embrace adventure and cultivate the best version of yourself.
1. Write new stories: Are you holding on to old narratives about yourself, others, or the world that may limit you or not align with your current life chapter? This is an opportunity to explore opportunities for growth, learning and creativity. Who am I NOW and who do I want to be?
2. New routines: Bringing old routines from a previous environment doesn’t always translate. Get curious about local customs, hangouts, foods & more. What parts of your environment feel necessary and nourishing to include in the creation of your new routines? My family loves Saturday morning churros and bubble shows at sunset on the beach as some of our routines.
3. Build something meaningful:Now is the time to be an active participant in your life! Find your people, seek out community. When I first arrived, I was introduced to the Costa Women Costa Tropical Group where I was inspired and hopeful about building community with like minded people. Now, I love buying candles from Hermozia in Almuñécar because they make our house feel like a home. Networking helped me build home and friendships.
4. Siesta as a philosophy: Siesta is more than rest. It’s intentional connection with others, moving mindfully, sobremesa and rejection of hustle culture. Time feels different when you get to choose the habits and routines that make up your life.
How can you find ways to slow down and practice being present?
You can be more vibrantly yourself when you identify what you need to be well. Change may be difficult, but staying the same or clinging to old versions of yourself is harder.
May cultivating new habits lead you to the best version of yourself!
Kaleigh Mancha, Licensed Psychotherapist and Yoga Teacher