Moorea Than a Year

I’m sitting here in a lounge chair, staring out at the South Pacific Ocean soaking up the sun. Suntanning is at the top of my guilty pleasures list. The French Polynesian islands are absolutely magical! We started our 14 day trip in Tahiti and have been on Moorea for the majority of the time. It takes a few days to acclimate to island time, but now that I’m on it I’m CHILLIN HARD. Sleeping in as late as I please, having a coffee and a croissant by the ocean, snorkeling with tropical creatures and eating fresh fruit and seafood has been the daily ‘routine’ down here. Reading books in the sun for hours is a version of heaven. Screen time has been minimal, haven’t touched a computer and I left my phone off for a couple days. We’ve been puzzling at night and leaving the TV off. It’s officially been over a YEAR since I’ve had any alcohol to drink! We ate dinner at a restaurant recommended by some locals on the day of my sober-versary and we didn’t realize until everyone started to order drinks, they didn’t serve alcohol! What are the chances?! The French influence on this island is prevalent, and booze has been available at every other restaurant we’ve been to. Instead of beer and wine, everyone was forced to forgo the booze and drink pineapple juice and sparkling water with me :). The food down here is incredible! French cuisine with island flare?! Hard to beat! This vacation I’ve been indulging in all the food and treats! The past couple years have been tough, full of routine and a lot of monotony working from home. I love my healthy routines like meditating, journaling and eating well. But I’ve set all my worries and regiments to the side and have been eating all the carbs and sugar and even some caffeine. The Peloton app streams down here so I’ve taken a few boxing and strength workouts on demand, but mostly been taking it pretty easy fitness wise. On Tahiti we did an epic hike that ended on top of a 300 meter waterfall where we swam in natural pools and overlooking the nearly 1,000 foot cliff’s edge. When I get home I’ll know I’ve treated myself and it’ll be easy to return to healthy habits and routines. Vacation has been so good for my mental health. Getting off the continent always resets my brain and brings me lots of joy. Feels GREAT to back in the world and exploring new places. Celebrating one year of sobriety on an island in paradise has been special. At this stage not drinking is just a natural part of my daily life, I don’t miss it or crave it at all. If anything I regret ever drinking in the first place. This vacation I’ve lost no time to hangovers and saved loads of money not buying booze that’s imported and sold at a pretty steep price. It does feel a little lonely at times, it’s an important part of my identity that a lot of people don’t identify with. I feel happy and healthy and that’s all that matters! Very grateful for this beautiful, magnificent planet that we live on. I just took a long swim and snorkeled alongside a sea turtle. Maybe I’ll head back out to the ocean here soon. Go explore! Bon voyage! 

Just read: 

Counterfeit by Kristen Chen 

Gift From the Sea by Anne Morrow Lindbergh 

People Like Her by Ellery Lloyd 

Sunshine Warm Sober - The Unexpected Joy of Being Sober Forever by Catherine Gray 

The Guest List by Lucy Foley 

The Club by Ellery Lloyd 

Currently reading:

The Firemaker’s Daughter by Phillip Pullman

The Dictionary of Lost Words by Phillipa Williams 

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