Our family’s annual trips to Mexico have a special place in my heart. And as you know how much I love writing letters, I thought I’d write a letter of appreciation to Mexico as a reflection on the past week.

Dear Mexico,

Thank you for always being there for me each year. You never let me down. And while I knew visiting you would be great, this year’s visit was even better than expected.

This year, even more so than other years, I was really looking forward to disconnecting, to reconnecting, to escaping the noise of the city – and to just BEING. With my family. With my dad. With my sister and her family.  

There’s less screen time and more eye contact, more smiling, and more genuine connection while in Mexico.

Playful banter in the pool and floating down a lazy river sets the scene for deeper connections. Being together as a family, and reconnecting with John, who has been traveling a lot this year, makes me feel most grateful.

Seeing Mexico through my children’s eyes – laughing with them, and holding their hands – fills me up. 

Intimate conversations and storytelling during dinner fills my cup too. This year, my dad told stories about where he vacationed as a kid. And we also learned about the party he threw when his parents went on vacation without him – only for them to come back one day earlier than he had expected, in the midst of his throwing a party at their house.

Enjoying this time with my dad after a really hard year was such a blessing. Nine months ago, he was in the ICU fighting for his life. In Mexico, he repelled down a cenote. Watching him do that filled me with awe and an immense amount of gratitude. Life can’t be taken for granted. We have to appreciate every single moment. 

Last week in Mexico, I did WAY less doing and way more BEING.

Slowing down isn’t something that comes naturally to me. I am a doer. Back in the city, I have a hard time just sitting the moment, to just BE.  After a couple of days of rest and relaxation in Mexico – with no real plans – I was able to quiet my mind to just BE. Not having a to-do list is so liberating.

Detaching from my device for a few days also felt so freeing. I shut off and soaked up every ray of warm sunshine. The ONLY reason I had my phone anywhere near me on this vacation was to capture the essence, beauty, and spirit of this Mexican retreat.

Most days, I also didn’t set an alarm.

One day, I enjoyed an outdoor hydrotherapy massage that began with a Mayan ritual. Holding stones, breathing in incense, and listening to the waves crash. As I relaxed afterwards, I felt lighter and noticed more. My senses really became enlivened. I felt the touch of the breeze on my skin. I noticed the actual smell of the ocean. I began to notice the intensity of the green – and other vibrant colors – all around. In fact, I was mesmerized by the varied shades of green on the plants all around the spa area. My senses were on another level.

The greens seemed greener. And there were shades of green I didn’t even know could exist. Mexico is truly a plant lover’s paradise. Strolling around on the resort, it is so soothing to just take all of that in.
Having this opportunity to slow down for a week each year like that is something I am so grateful to have. It’s energizing and rewarding on so many levels. Visiting this resort never feels old, either. It’s so beautiful, and there are so many corners to relax – or indulge.

We also feel so welcomed every time. Everyone smiles. Everyone is so warm. There’s a real sense of community, more than us just being guests there. There’s a priority on genuinely taking care of each other, on extending a helping hand, and on staying positive. It’s another one of the reasons we keep going back. These inspiring and positive interactions also reinforce the importance of creating community, a feeling I want to continue to extend throughout various areas of my own life.

When we visit Mexico, it’s our family’s annual retreat. It’s an annual reminder to remain grateful. An opportunity to recharge and reconnect, with ourselves and each other. A reset. So that even after life’s more hectic or more challenging seasons, we have this to come back to. Somewhere that allows us to return to what really matters.

For me, Mexico isn’t an escape. It is a journey towards a more mindful and grateful approach to life.

Moving forward this year, I am determined to carry my heightened senses and appreciation for slow moments back with me back into the city. I want to take notice of different shades of green, to feel the breeze on my skin, and to enjoy the smell of the coffee. And maybe not set an alarm every day.

See you again next year Mexico…