The Women in Business Conference in Scotland was such an energising experience! I had the pleasure of running a workshop and hosting quick-fire pods to help brilliant women carve out more time in their lives. The feedback? Fantastic. I left feeling like I had *actually* helped people, which is the best kind of exhaustion. Then, straight after, I jumped on a plane for something I hadn’t done in 17 years—a proper holiday, just me and my husband.
Destination: Costa Rica. The plan? Sun, sea, and surf. The reality? Well, a tropical storm decided to make things *interesting*. Our first stop was the cloud forest, a lush and magical place where we spent three days in what felt like a gloriously warm (28°C!) outdoor shower. It rained non-stop thanks to the storm, but the beauty of the place more than made up for it. We spotted stunning wildlife—birds with feathers as bright as fireworks and critters that made us feel like we’d wandered into a National Geographic documentary. It was wet, yes, but it was the kind of rainforest adventure you dream about.
Next, we headed to the Pacific coast, where the rain finally eased up, and we swapped our waterproofs for surfboards. Now, let me tell you—surfing looks far easier on TV! We flopped, tumbled, and belly-flopped into the waves more times than I’d care to admit, but the warm sea and the pura vida vibes made it all worth it.
And because no holiday would be complete without a hiccup, I caught a bad cold the moment we arrived. Typical, right? But between the breathtaking nature, the incredible food (seriously, Costa Rican *gallo pinto* is life), and the ever-smiling locals, I barely had time to notice. Even the epic five-hour drive from the airport—which should’ve been three—was part of the adventure. Pitch black by 5 pm, jungle roads, and traffic jams? Just another reminder to embrace the chaos.
One of the best parts of this trip was how completely disconnected I was from work. No emails, no notifications, no to-do lists—just pura vida. And guess what? The world didn’t fall apart. My SOUL System teaches the importance of boundaries, and this holiday was a crash course in walking the talk. It was freeing to let go, knowing everything (and everyone) could wait.
Coming back to Scotland’s chilly November was bittersweet. After soaking in Costa Rica’s warmth, both literal and figurative, the early sunsets and cold winds hit hard. But this is home now, and seeing my boys reminded me of how much I have to be grateful for—even if I did have to swap flip-flops for wellies.
From inspiring women in Scotland to dancing in the rain (literally) in the Costa Rican jungle, this journey was a perfect reminder of balance. Work, rest, play—they all have their time and place. So, whether you’re simplifying your schedule, setting boundaries, or falling off a surfboard, remember: life is meant to be lived fully, rain or shine.
Pura Vida, amigos. 🌴🌧️
