I live in a beach town....that is not beach oriented. So, I started "beach Monday"....Every Monday...rain or shine I drive to a secluded beach just about 15 minutes from my house. I have an open door policy....anyone that wants to come...be at the pick up spot at 1pm and cram in. Sometimes its just my husband and dog....other weeks there are 8 adults and my dog! We play in the water, drink some beer and play dominos....or just chill and read a book. Every week is different....but every week we are at the beach!!!
This is so true. When I was living in Italy, I always had my coffee shop or "bar" that I went to before work each day. I ordered the same drink and the same pastry every day. It's the best feeling when the owners and baristas start to know you and begin to prepare your order without you even asking. It was a habit that started almost day 1 and really gave me a sense of place.
I'm getting ready to walk up the hill to the coffee shop. Every Tuesday morning I go there to write. They know my table. I chat as much as I write. This is where I have become part of the community. People will probably want to talk about Los Angeles today. Still, I hope to have a Substack article to post by the end of the morning.
I love going to the Mexico City Farmer's Market every Sunday morning and buying all of my produce for the week. I also always buy a batch of my favorite herb, Toronjil or lemon balm, and I make a tea every night with raw honey. It's such a comforting ritual.
In my Madrid home I love to open the balcony shutters each morning. I lean over the rail to enjoy the sunshine (or the clouds) and watching the morning activity in el barrio while I drink the first coffee of the day. So much joy in that moment!
We are very lucky because we moved together and with our cats, so that’s a big feeling of home. My former rituals have found new shapes, but I still start the day with a cuppa, take my morning meditation/language lesson time, and find comfort in the artwork we brought that adorns our walls. It’s little touches like that which reinforce the idea that home is a feeling rather than a specific place.
The Dutch are mad for it, but I can’t touch it if I want to sleep at night. I brought back two massive boxes of Yorkshire (English breakfast) when I went to London.
Living in a tiny Italian village has given me a new way of being socially connected.
After making a nice big cup of cappuccino and drinking it leisurely at home, I shower and go to the local Bar to drink a Ginseng Amaro with my new friends.
Walking to the local Alimentari, greeting people, asking how they are, talking about the weather, their health or just being friendly is the next step.
Being lonely does not exist anymore. There us always a way to connect even with my broken Italian.
I'll go first! I invented my entire morning routine living abroad.
- I got my oil pulling and salt/clove rinse from the panchakarma cleanse I did last year
- I started drinking ginger/turmeric/basil tea when I kept getting dengue so my housekeeper started making it for me to boost my immune system and I never stopped
- I developed a yoga routine with all my favourite moves during Covid
- I started meditating every morning after attending a weekly meditation group and feeling the benefits of it
I do all this every morning, almost religiously! I skip yoga and meditation at the weekend though :)
I live in a beach town....that is not beach oriented. So, I started "beach Monday"....Every Monday...rain or shine I drive to a secluded beach just about 15 minutes from my house. I have an open door policy....anyone that wants to come...be at the pick up spot at 1pm and cram in. Sometimes its just my husband and dog....other weeks there are 8 adults and my dog! We play in the water, drink some beer and play dominos....or just chill and read a book. Every week is different....but every week we are at the beach!!!
What a way to start the week! 🤩 Love this.
You seem like the type of person that should come visit Puerto Armuelles....I think you would fit in!!!!
I think I just might too! But I'm moving to Europe for now. Maybe Central America for retirement 🤣
This is so true. When I was living in Italy, I always had my coffee shop or "bar" that I went to before work each day. I ordered the same drink and the same pastry every day. It's the best feeling when the owners and baristas start to know you and begin to prepare your order without you even asking. It was a habit that started almost day 1 and really gave me a sense of place.
Oh yes, what a clever and comforting way to feel grounded in your community.
I'm getting ready to walk up the hill to the coffee shop. Every Tuesday morning I go there to write. They know my table. I chat as much as I write. This is where I have become part of the community. People will probably want to talk about Los Angeles today. Still, I hope to have a Substack article to post by the end of the morning.
Oh how lovely! Thanks for sharing, Willa :) I hope you get it done but sounds like a lovely experience even if you don't check it off.
Settling down somewhere cozy with a book and a cup of tea!
Yup. Instant calm 🥰☕
I love going to the Mexico City Farmer's Market every Sunday morning and buying all of my produce for the week. I also always buy a batch of my favorite herb, Toronjil or lemon balm, and I make a tea every night with raw honey. It's such a comforting ritual.
Farmers markets are such an awesome local ritual. I'm so looking forward to partaking.
In my Madrid home I love to open the balcony shutters each morning. I lean over the rail to enjoy the sunshine (or the clouds) and watching the morning activity in el barrio while I drink the first coffee of the day. So much joy in that moment!
Sounds straight out of a movie!
My pup sits on my lap every morning while I drink my coffee. Also, I look out my window and am grateful every day, rain or shine.
Love this shared ritual. How sweet!
We are very lucky because we moved together and with our cats, so that’s a big feeling of home. My former rituals have found new shapes, but I still start the day with a cuppa, take my morning meditation/language lesson time, and find comfort in the artwork we brought that adorns our walls. It’s little touches like that which reinforce the idea that home is a feeling rather than a specific place.
Sounds like such a fab way to start the day! How's the coffee in The Netherlands?
The Dutch are mad for it, but I can’t touch it if I want to sleep at night. I brought back two massive boxes of Yorkshire (English breakfast) when I went to London.
Ah, gotcha. Strong then! A nice cuppa Yorkshire is a great alternative!
Living in a tiny Italian village has given me a new way of being socially connected.
After making a nice big cup of cappuccino and drinking it leisurely at home, I shower and go to the local Bar to drink a Ginseng Amaro with my new friends.
Walking to the local Alimentari, greeting people, asking how they are, talking about the weather, their health or just being friendly is the next step.
Being lonely does not exist anymore. There us always a way to connect even with my broken Italian.
I am at home.
I loved reading this! What, pray tell, is a Ginseng Amaro!?? Sounds yum and good for the brain?!
It warms my heart to hear someone so well adjusted and happy in their home abroad.
Ginseng is an alternative to espresso, a healthy alternative. Our local Bar makes it but the bitter (amaro) is not available everywhere.
Oh neat! I had no idea it's a cultural Italian thing.
I'll go first! I invented my entire morning routine living abroad.
- I got my oil pulling and salt/clove rinse from the panchakarma cleanse I did last year
- I started drinking ginger/turmeric/basil tea when I kept getting dengue so my housekeeper started making it for me to boost my immune system and I never stopped
- I developed a yoga routine with all my favourite moves during Covid
- I started meditating every morning after attending a weekly meditation group and feeling the benefits of it
I do all this every morning, almost religiously! I skip yoga and meditation at the weekend though :)