One year ago I was selling cybersecurity from my old room in my parents’ house. 

Now I’m writing this newsletter from a café in Guatemala after completing my first week of Spanish school.

Crazy where life can take you through intentional decision-making, taking risks, and following your intuition.

After last week’s newsletter recapped a wild first seven days in Guatemala (read here), this week’s theme dials it back a bit:

While I’m an advocate for taking advantage of opportunities (i.e., I’m in Guatemala right now… DO EVERYTHING)

I dedicated this week to simply… being.

Thinking. Writing. Deciding.

School. Rest. Recovery. 

NOT… climbing volcanoes.

Paragliding through sunsets.

Scaling mountains at 4am to catch sunrises. 

Multiple yoga classes a day and maximizing social outlets.

But just taking a moment to slow down.

Breathe.

And enjoy life.

(Also helped that I ate some street tacos last week and got a serious case of traveler’s diarrhea, sprinting between my bed and bathroom for three straight days 😂)

BUT - I see that as an opportunity.

An invitation, rather, to slow down.

Take it easy.

Get back to the basics and fundamentals of quality living:

And, dare I say… less screens.

I understand the need for screens.

I’m literally writing this… staring at a screen… lol.

But can we minimize it, especially unproductive screen time.

Unless it’s watching American Idol.

Or Yellowstone.

Or the Mariners breaking your heart again.

Then it’s fine.

We all deserve our time to tune in to tune out for a bit.

(P.S. - I think those blue zones are onto something)

Real-life examples of ‘living simply in Guatemala’

And finished the week running.
For free.
Outside.

Which felt incredible given my circumstances just one week ago.

And using my Spanish to simply…

Just doing life. Simply. In Spanish.

I even taught some freaking yoga.

IN SPANISH.

Dreams coming true out here in Xela.

Check it out ⬇️

And my last, and arguably most powerful, example of simple living was going to the Xela soccer game.

Had no idea it was happening until our school president mentioned it.

So I ran down to the stadium, bought a ticket, swooped a jersey, and hit the game.

An incredible experience.

Not because they beat their rivals.
Not because fireworks popped off the entire game.
Not because it was the best game all season…

But because of the human experience.

I made friends with the guys behind me in line and watched the entire game with them.

Learned about their life: 12 years living in the States, owning a business, becoming citizens, paying taxes - only to be told by ICE they need to leave or face five years in prison.

Learned about their passions: one guy is working toward a 500-pound deadlift (showed me a video repping 485… insane).

Learned about their beloved grandma who just passed away two weeks ago.
Wearing her $800 handmade traje.

Because she deserves it.

At halftime, the squad returned with hot dogs in hand, gave me one, and I said, “Fuck it. If I’m back on my deathbed the next three days, so be it. It’s worth it.”

Because this moment, with the boys, is irreplaceable.

Down 0-1 in the first half, Xela came back to win 3-1.

Blasting a midfield goal after Guate City pulled their goalie.

The crowd went absolutely nuts.

I went nuts.

I don’t even watch soccer.

But it didn’t matter.

We were one in that moment.

And the night ended with the guys asking for a picture, and telling me:
“You family”

THIS… is the good stuff.

Human connection.

Relationships.

Eating a 2/10 hot dog and loving every bite.

Simplicity.

I’ll close with this - life will always provide opportunities.

And you always have a choice.

You can say yes.

You can say no.

These choices will inevitably determine your future.

And while I’ll always advocate for living a life on fire,

Sometimes it requires us to slow down.

To breathe.

To be.

I made some huge decisions this week.

I said “No” to a yoga retreat.
I said “Yes” to a meditation teacher training.

I decided to slow down for a second to actually think about these decisions.

Pen to paper.
Sitting with it.
Coming back to it.

Getting clarity.
Then executing.

Could this have happened sprinting up the next volcano?

Maybe.

But stillness, simplicity, is where I found clarity.

So for you:

Where can you invite some stillness into your life?
Slow down for a second?

Maybe it’s transitioning more mindfully.
Taking a breath before the next call.
The next meeting.
The next bite (yes - I’m talking about your food)

Maybe it’s taking a 3-day weekend.
Clearing your Friday.
Scheduling a massage.

Maybe you take a vacation.

Or maybe… just maybe…

A mini retirement.

A one-way ticket.

To do a yoga teacher training in Bali.
Or Spanish school in Guatemala.

I don’t know, just spitballing here.

I’m also kind of crazy.

So take that with a grain of salt.

Either way - where can you simplify your life…
to bring more mindfulness, joy, and peace?

Start with a pause.
A breath.
A smirk.

That usually helps.

Because I promise,
the next ride, the next adventure, the next volcano…

is coming.

Tip: Pause During Transitions

Action: The next time there’s a clean break between activities, pause.

Take a deep inhale, hold it at the top, exhale and let it go.
Do it again.

And then transition.

Value: Appreciate what’s just been completed. Create space for what’s to come. Then mindfully transition into your next task with a cleared mind and narrowed focus.

While today’s theme focused on simplicity, here’s a contrasting quote from renowned journalist, Hunter S. Thompson, to ensure we hit all facets of life:

“Life should not be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in a pretty and well preserved body, but rather to skid in broadside in a cloud of smoke, thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and loudly proclaiming “Wow! What a Ride!”

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Got this far? Reply and let me know your biggest insight, takeaway, or idea.

I always respond.

As always - thank you.

Many of you continue to share the newsletter on social or forward via email/text.

This is meaningful work to me.

And I hope you continue to find value and inspiration to take action towards a life that feels aligned, expansive, and meaningful for you.

If you know someone who might enjoy it, any forwards are greatly appreciated.

See you next week 🚀

Cheers to the adventure ✈️