2020 has been a year of struggle, but also one of resilience, reflection, and figuring out how to continue the journey of personal growth while life as we know it is turned on its head. So how do you do that? The answer lies in Pura Vida. It’s believed that Costa Ricans adopted this unofficial motto—which translates literally to “pure life”—from a 1956 Mexican film of the same name. The protagonist uses the expression in many atypical situations. Ticos caught on, and by the mid-1990s it had become a common Costa Rican greeting, salutation, exclamation, and more. From “hello” to “such is life” to “this is the life”, this quintessential phrase means it all. Pura Vida isn’t just a catchy slogan. It represents values that lie at the heart of Costa Rican culture, like making the best of what you have.
Sounds easier said than done, right? Don’t worry! Here are 5 steps you can take to incorporate the essence of Pura Vida into your lifestyle, no matter where you are in the world.
#1 SPEND TIME WITH COMMUNITY
Family is everything in Costa Rican culture. Spending time with loved ones, be they biological relatives or not, is a powerful way to reinforce a sense of groundedness throughout life’s ups and downs. If you’re feeling overwhelmed or stressed by your to-do list, make some space for the people who matter most. A little quality time with family or friends can go a long way to help us recenter, reenergize, and move forward. And it might be just what they need, too. When you reprioritize with this in mind, you rekindle a sense of belonging and the rest of that to-do list feels a little more manageable. In the same spirit, look for ways to connect with your greater community: colleagues, the cashier you always share a smile with at your local bodega, or a neighbor in need. They might brighten someone’s day, or simply make a difficult moment easier.
#2 CHECK IN WITH YOUR DIET
When we give our bodies the food they need to thrive, everything else comes more easily. Costa Rica is known as a ‘blue zone’, which means a large number of people live to be at least 100 years old. One shared characteristic of blue zones is a similar diet. In Costa Rica that includes beans, rice, bananas, plantains, papaya, squash, and other foods which together provide plenty of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals. These may be Costa Rican staples, but the key to a healthy and happy relationship with food is to make it your own! Incorporate as much locally grown, freshly prepared food as possible and experiment with fruits and veggies that are in season. Let food be a way to connect with your own communal and ancestral traditions. Most importantly, remember: eating shouldn’t feel restrictive. It’s about using what you’ve got to develop patterns that nourish your mind, body, and spirit. When balanced to support holistic wellness, your diet helps your body help you to reach your highest self.
#3 CONNECT WITH NATURE
Costa Rica is one of the most biodiverse places on the planet and home to 150+ national parks and protected areas, so many residents don’t have to go far from home to experience gorgeous natural landscapes. But it takes concerted efforts to care for natural beauty like this. In 2019 the Costa Rican government announced a comprehensive plan to achieve zero net carbon emissions by 2050. Indigenous farmers use traditional sustainable techniques to produce organic cocoa (among other crops), which is sold to global buyers. Efforts like these help to increase harmony between people and the earth we’ve been charged to take care of.
You can deepen your connection with nature individually through intentionality about spending time with your own surroundings. We recommend actually setting aside time in your calendar to pack away the work, turn on do-not-disturb, and head outside. Find a spot that makes you feel comfortable and peaceful, and let your senses focus on the organic elements and natural inhabitants of the space. You might be surprised at what you notice.
#4 EXPLORE YOUR ROOTS
It’s said that the past must be left there, and we agree that dwelling in the past can have negative consequences. At the same time, sometimes the answers to life’s challenges are found in the wisdom of where (or who) you come from. Sadie, our founder and an Afro-Costa Rican Tica, knows a thing or two about connecting with your ancestral heritage in order to move forward with purpose. A year after a life-threatening accident, she took a trip to Costa Rica that changed the scope of her personal and professional life. There she began her spiritual healing journey and was introduced to her mother’s ancestral homeland. These experiences ultimately inspired Sadie to create Soul Life Travel.
Of course there are other ways to explore your familial roots that can be done much closer to home. You might ask an elder about your family tree, recreate a treasured tradition from your childhood, or create an ancestor altar. Whatever you choose, you will likely experience a deep sense of groundedness as you reconnect with what makes you who you are.
#5 PRACTICE GRATITUDE
This step might be the most cliché. But it is also the most abstract. As a result, we find that it can be particularly difficult to keep up with consistently and bears mentioning. Our best recommendation for practicing gratitude is to create a daily routine. When you wake up, take a couple minutes before rising or checking your phone to speak affirmations. Do a short meditation after lunch to check in with your body, the vessel that’s lovingly brought you this far already. Before bed, jot down something positive and something negative that happened that day (combine your practices for gratitude and release!). Keep in mind that Pura Vida—and gratitude—are often about simplicity. Do what resonates for you, switch it up when you feel like it, and know that it is enough. You are enough. Pura Vida.
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Our epic soulful journeys are a celebration of Costa Ricas’s diverse cultural and natural world. Experience the Good Life in the land of Pura Vida on one of our private Itineraries, available for solo travelers and groups. Plan your next trip the Soul Life Way.
