Debrief with Debb: From Humidity to Hoodies

Dear Diary,

Last time I left you, I was about to get a coconut from a Tuk Tuk on the side of the road in Puerto Escondido, Mexico.  Turns out, he wasn’t selling anything.  It was just … his car. His way of getting around.  So no coconut.  No mangoes.  Just me, standing there, confused yet humbled, and still coconut-less.

Back in Canada

As I’m writing this, I’m back in Canada.  Obviously, I love going away.  Who doesn’t?  But there’s something special about coming home.  Sleeping in your own bed.  Buying healthy groceries.  Getting back into a routine.  I went to an F45 strength training class today and … I died.  In a good way, of course.  The kind of workout where halfway through, you question your vacation choices.  “Maybe I should’ve done some jogging like I said I would, maybe I shouldn’t have eaten those donuts, I don’t ever eat donuts Deb wtf, maybe those daily Coronas were a little much and that amazing bread ... did you have to eat it every day?” And by the end of the workout you’re thinking, “inhale, exhale, you can do this.”  And yes I can, and I did.  One breath at a time.  Sweaty Debbie’s back!  Ready for the hot room next.

The Vacation Glow (and Reality Check)

The rest of the trip was exactly what I needed:  Sunrise on the palapa.  Sunset on the palapa.  Amazing tasting food.  No preservatives.  (Except bread and beer as noted above).  Real food.  Boat ride. Turtle releasing on the beach.  Beach walks. Pool dips. At one point I said to Rui,  “We should find a nice spot in Innisfil to watch the sunrise every day.”  He looks at me and says “how about by the water?”  Oh right.  The one that’s a 2-minute drive from our house and a 9 minute walk.  Good idea.  We live close to the end of Mapleview, where the street ends and the lake begins … and somehow it took Mexico for me to appreciate that and consider going there to watch the sunrise and sunset.  Classic.

Guac, Goals & Good Intentions

We became obsessed with guacamole in Mexico. Shocking, I know. In restaurants, it was amazing. At home ... you know how avocados go. Here today. Gone tomorrow. So ... we found a Mexican brand of guac called Herdez. Simple. Fresh. Perfect.  Yummy.  Avocado, tomato, onion, garlic, spices. That’s it.  We had it on everything.  Eggs. Toast. Chicken. Veggies. Potatoes.  And ... we ate the best tacos ever! Like seriously. Of our lives. Perhaps Taco Tuesdays will become a thing at the Debrui household. And of course, we said things like: “We should eat like this all the time at home.”  We also said we’d watch more sunrises, go for walks in nature more and slow down.  You know… vacation promises.  And honestly, I think we might actually do some of them. . Stay tuned.

Book Debb Is Back

I read a book (and a half) on this vacation and it reminded me how much I love getting lost in words.  There’s something about reading that feels like home to me.  I read The Five People You Meet in Heaven and I'm half way through Twice.  Both by  Mitch Albom.  Totally random.  Or not.  Both borrowed.  Thanks fam and friends.  Also, the writer of one of my favourites Tuesdays with Morrie and honestly … these books do something to you.  They make you reflect on:  life, death, love, guilt, forgiveness and being human.You know … the light stuff. 

The “Let’s Book Another Trip” Phase

Being on vacation always puts me in a reflective headspace.  (As if I’m not already there 90% of the time anyway.)  And now, I’m already thinking about the next trip.  Who can relate?  Because, here’s the deal … We need something to look forward to.  Not just the big things like trips, but something that pulls us forward, gives us a little spark, a little purpose beyond the everyday routine.  On that note, back to the travel spark.  Rui and I haven’t really had an official honeymoon (yet).  Yes, we got married in Portugal.  Yes, we went to Porto for two days after the wedding … but we still had friends with us, and it was two days.  So… does that count? Not really.  And this last trip.  Beautiful.  And also, with family.  So now we’re thinking … maybe a delayed honeymoon this summer or fall seeing a bit of our home country.  Beautiful Canada. The West Coast. 

We watched this Reality show yesterday (Age of Attraction).  Super cheesy.  Super addictive.  Mother Nature.  Stunning!  Rui noticed a Canadian flag on a cabin and we were like “I knew it!!”  Parts of it are filmed in Whistler.  Rui (Canadian Citizen as of last year) was like, “where’s Whistler?”  I explained.  We have to go there.  From what I saw of beautiful BC during a a short trip, I know we’ll both love it.  I was totally mesmerized by Mother Nature. I did my Yin Yoga Teacher Training in Vancouver Island, about a decade ago, and it was magical.  Picture this (Golden Girls reference obviously).  2016.  Classes in a room overlooking the river.  Boats passing by.  Mountains in the distance.  Trees everywhere.  Green juices.  Vegan food on every corner… true story.  I was vegetarian at the time, so I was in heaven. 

Long story short, I was vegetarian (with some vegan phases) for about seven years.  It all started when I was in Australia, after watching the documentary Earthlings, narrated by Joaquin Phoenix.  Yes, former teen heartthrob.  That documentary shifted something in me.  Big time.  I remember thinking, “Animals are innocent … and we’re eating them? This is crazy. What's wrong with us?”  Honestly, a part of me still struggles with that.  And also, life (and your body) sometimes asks for different things from you. After dealing with hormonal issues for years, my doctor basically told me that some women (apparently I’m special, thanks doc) need more than just plants to support a regular cycle … which, if you’ve been following along, has never really been my strong suit.  So I had to make a choice.  What matters most?  My health … or my ideals?  And even though I know it sounds harsh, it was real.  Very real.  It took me time to shift, but when I reintroduced foods like eggs, chicken, and fish into my diet, I noticed a difference.  More energy.  A more regular cycle.  Less of that constant “why am I so tired?” feeling.  I also tend to lean on the anemic side, and no matter how many green veggies, lentils, or pumpkin seeds I ate … something still felt off.  My blood type is O negative (the universal donor).  Which means I can give to anyone but I can only receive from O blood type.  Awesome. Sounds harsh.  Very real. I read that O blood types need more animal proteins to thrive, but A & B are ok being vegetarian.  Not sure how accurate that is but I did a lot of obsessive research (shocking) and made a choice.  This doesn’t mean I went full carnivore overnight.  It just means I found a balance that works for me.  (Omg… where was I going with this?) 

Right! The West Coast

The point is … that place represents something for me.  A time in my life where things felt simple, intentional, aligned.  And now, thinking about going back and with Rui, in a completely different chapter of life feels exciting.  Something to look forward to!  Because that’s what it’s all about.  Having something ahead of you that lights you up.  A trip. A goal. A plan. Even a small shift.  Something that makes the everyday feel a little less routine… and a little more meaningful.  So yes… I just got back.  And yes… I’m already planning the next one.  And … I think that’s a good thing.  Otherwise life starts to feel a little… meh.  My girl Mel Robbins talks about this all the time.  Having goals, even small ones, changes how you show up daily.

Tiny Goals That Become Your Life

I once set a goal to have a 30-day gratitude journaling practice.  And now, it’s just what I do.  Daily.  I write down five things in the morning and five things at night that I’m grateful for.  Simple things.  Coffee.  Sunshine.  Breath.  It shifts your focus.  Otherwise, it’s very easy to spiral into:   “Ugh I’m back from vacation and it’s cold… it snowed last night? WTF!  A day and a half ago I was barefoot, in a bathing suit, by the pool.  Now I’m in socks, boots, and a hoodie?”  Grateful to be home though.  Home was on my list last night and this morning.  Gotta train the brain ... or else!

The Jet Lag Chronicles

When we landed Wednesday night… I was FREEZING.  Like aggressively cold.  I slept in tights, socks, and a hoodie … for 10 hours.  Rui, on the other hand, slept in his briefs. As usual.  He woke up and said:  “You slept in that all night my love?”  Yes. Yes I did.  He calls me “my ice cube.”  I’m choosing to believe it’s because I’m cold physically.  

Airport Shenanigans (Part 2)

The Puerto Escondido International Airport is … not Pearson.  It’s basically one big room, four gates and two stores.  One sells hats, purses, and shoes.  The other sells alcohol.  That’s it. Those are your souvenirs.  I was already carrying a full-on sombrero for my mom (true story).  Walked into her house yesterday morning wearing it.  She laughed.  Said she’d use it for gardening.  Will she? Debatable.  That’s the mama love.

Plane Thoughts (and Growth Maybe?)

On the flight, I sat behind a family with three kids under three.  The one year old; Mavis (yes, I read that on her bracelet, hence how close she was to me) was adorable… and loud.  At one point the mom looked at her husband and said:  “Two more hours of this ... omg??”  And for the first time ever…  I didn’t feel annoyed.  I felt for her.  Growth. 

Standby & Soulmate Energy

I was on standby for the flight.  Not stressed (been here before), but of course … you never know.  I was thinking “if we have to stay another night, Air Canada will pay for a hotel night, we can fly to Mexico City tomorrow, get a flight to Pearson or even Billy Bishop Airport (hello Porter) and all will be great!  I don’t go back to work until Monday anyway, so I trust all will work out as it always does.” As I was in my daydreaming bubble, Rui said:   “I’m not getting on a plane without you.”  Which sounds romantic … but my brain immediately went: “Yeah no kidding, you better not.”  Love language: practical reassurance.  Then over the speaker I hear:  “Meeees Cavral Davie? Meeess Cavral Davie?”  I guess that’s me.  Got my seat.  Far from Rui… but I had a book.  And a screaming baby.  Entertainment covered.

Final Thoughts

We slept 10 hours in Mexico every night.  We slept 10 hours last night.  So now I’m wondering …  Am I a 10-hour sleep girl?  Or just deeply, hormonally, vacation-level exhausted?  TBD.  

But what I do know is this:

You don’t need to be in Mexico to slow down.

You don’t need a palapa to watch the sunrise.

And maybe the life you’re craving … is already closer than you think.

(Like… a 2-minute drive to the water close)

Your Turn

What’s one “vacation feeling” you want to bring into your real life?

More rest?  Less rushing?  More reading?  More guacamole?

I'd love to know! Jus sayin'

Yogadebb

Building strength, mindset, and real-life consistency, one breath at a time :)