Reconnecting with Myself

A Journey Back to Personal Practice

2023 brought its fair share of challenges for me and my family. Dealing with the loss of my dear father-in-law, spending a significant portion of the year apart from my husband, and foregoing a proper summer vacation to support our family took its toll. Personally, I had to cancel most of my planned travels and yoga retreats, overworking to compensate for the financial strain caused by my husband's absence in Bulgaria. Despite not complaining, I found myself drained, putting everything non-urgent and non-profitable on pause to conserve energy. My creativity was on hold, my personal yoga practice lost, and I felt disconnected from myself, my family, and life in general.

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In September, I spontaneously decided to make a not-so-short escape on a solo backpacking trip - my favorite way to travel. Regardless of the financial struggles, I booked for mid November a three-week adventure in Sri Lanka, including one week as a yoga retreat participant and two weeks of spontaneous, plan-as-you-go travel. As the departure date approached, I realized I wasn't fully prepared for Sri Lanka, but I was determined to travel without my laptop and reclaim my daily yoga practice, wherever I found myself. Armed with my yoga mat, my journey began.

I'll delve into the specifics of my Sri Lanka adventure in other blog posts, covering the retreat, nature, adventure, food, and spirituality. In this post, I want to share the challenges and struggles—both physical and emotional—of waking up for 1-2 hours of yoga during the retreat and the incredible feeling that followed each practice.

After one week of being laptop-free, filled with fun, adventures, new skills (hello, surfing!), and surrounded by amazing people, I found myself reenergized and motivated to continue. Even after the retreat, I maintained my daily practice, regardless of the varying conditions and locations. Some places offered spectacular terraces and views, while others were small, dull hotel rooms or busy airports. Yet, I showed up for myself with an open mind and trust in the process.

Upon returning to Amsterdam, I happily resumed my short workouts, which used to be a monumental struggle for me before my travels. Now, they are something I look forward to every day—20-30 minutes of yoga or a home workout, followed by a short moment of stillness and just being quiet. It's just me, myself, and I. My body and skin are glowing, and my inspiration and creativity have returned. I feel light, not just physically but also mentally—careless, free, and happy.

I've turned this journey into a mini project, creating timelapses from my practices—capturing all the ups and downs, messy hair, wobbly headstands, and moments of bliss. So, my lovely friends, I invite you to join me on the mat and make yourselves happy. See you there!

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