Beyond the trivial lessons that I learned on our 10 day trip to Costa Rica, like how I should always travel with a neck pillow and bring more snacks than I think, I learned a lot about myself. This was Myles and I’s first international trip together and as a disclaimer, we really had no solid plans (besides which Airbnb we were staying at). I was nervous and slightly terrified. Losing control and jumping into a new environment is stressful but boy did I learn quite a bit. Here’s a list of things that I discovered:

1. Everything will be okay. On our first night there we had issues with the car rental and I thought that we were going to be sleeping on a bench that night (long story). But our airbnb host (I call him angel Marvin), he gladly volunteered to pick us up even though it was really late into the night. No matter how terrible a situation might be, there is always a solution.
2. On that note, I learned that there are good people everywhere. I love traveling because it pushes me to get outside of my bubble and connect. We sometimes forget to do that when we are in our day to day grind. So I learned to open up and strike up a conversation with a stranger whenever I can (even when I’m back at home home), you never know what kind of beautiful relationship can come from that. 
3. Simplicity is key. Staying in Costa Rica made me realize that I only need the essentials. It made me reflect on how little I need to be happy. The basics, family, good friends, health and creative outlets– that’s all a girl really needs.
4. I learned that I really need to find time daily to slow down. The first few nights, I was frantic, anxious and to tried to counter that by making to do lists. YEAH. I made freakin to-do lists. ON MY VACATION. I just didn’t know how to handle having days off with no agenda. But by Day 4, I got the hang of it. It just took a little longer than expected. After that initial transition, I was living the Pura Vida lifestyle and adapted the chill ways of life. 
5. I need to make more time for hobbies. The times that made me most happy was when I got to hang out on the beach with a book in my hand. I got to write, do yoga, meditate and journal. I know I know, I sound super hippie but that’s what makes me feel the most peace. So carving out more time to do that is essential.
6. I learned that nothing is truly “urgent”. Everything will get completed and I won’t die if it doesn’t.
7. I learned that traveling is so worth the extra hours put into work, the airplane rides, the planning—everything. Especially the type of travelling that makes you problem solve and push yourself outside of your comfort zone.

Check out our travel vlog! 

So that’s what I learned from wild trip of ours. Next time, I’m thinking something more laid back and resort style haha, ya girl needs to indulge once in a while 🙂 

super hippies and to-do lists, 

Bella

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