Q1 2024

I began 2024 on what seemed like the most glamorous note: a private retreat in Tulum, where I’d teach yoga and meditation daily. How perfect, right? Truthfully, I didn’t want to go. I had just returned from a 28-day intensive Yoga Teacher Training that was nothing short of life-changing—not just in the name of yoga, but in ways I never expected. That trip included a harrowing moped accident where I almost lost my life (a story for another time).

But I had already committed to Tulum. A part of me still clung to the belief that “the grass is greener on the other side.” So, after four short weeks at home, I found myself on another plane, heading to another ocean, for another five days.

Don’t get me wrong, Tulum had its moments. It showed me what was possible as a yoga and mindfulness teacher. It was cool to experience what facilitating a retreat could look like. Yet, it was also an eye-opener. Traveling solo again made me realize I wasn’t interested in the nomadic lifestyle anymore—at least not for now. Sure, sunsets by the ocean are beautiful, but the nomadic life can be lonely and isolating.

That quote, “wherever you go, there you are”? It’s so true. By the time I got back, I made a commitment to stay grounded in my city for the rest of 2024.

February came and went in a blur, punctuated by a few friend gatherings here and there. What stands out most from that month, though, is my journey toward healing. I started working with a trainer and osteopath at Inside Out Total Wellness, seeing them twice a week. Coming back to Canada’s freezing cold after so much time in warm, humid climates was brutal on my body. My injuries included nerve damage near my right rhomboid that radiated down my arm, nerve damage in my left quadricep from an already-torn meniscus, misaligned hips, a crooked spine, and a glaring scar on my forehead—a constant reminder of what I’d been through.

Despite it all, I stepped into February with optimism, determined to heal. I cried through many sessions, overwhelmed by the thought that I might never fully recover. But every time that fear crept in, I replaced it with a simple but powerful mantra: “Yes, I can.”

By March, my consistency paid off. My injuries had improved by about 80%, and my strength was returning faster than I expected. I’ve never struggled with staying consistent, but seeing such tangible results reinforced just how important it is to keep showing up—even when it feels like nothing is changing.

Those first few months of 2024 taught me a lot about discomfort and letting go of control. Life doesn’t always go the way we plan. A beach won’t solve your problems, and even the best solutions take time and consistency. Sometimes, all aspects of your health—mental, physical, spiritual, and emotional—seem to unravel at once. And the only way to get through it is to face it head-on.

Looking back, I’m grateful for those months and the lessons they brought. By April, I had a fresh perspective on how I wanted to show up—not just for the rest of the year, but for myself.