I’ve been obsessed with beaches and the ocean ever since I was a kid.
But here’s just how far my obsession goes…
A few years ago I went to Puerto Vallarta, Mexico with my (then) 18 year old son.
It was a belated high school graduation gift for him. One that had been postponed, like so many other things, due to the pandemic.
Before we left a few people asked me what we were going to do in PV.
Cuz let’s face it, an 18 year old boy isn’t gonna wanna lay by the pool with his mom for 7 days!
But to be honest, I had no idea!
Because as much as I’m a planner, I love winging it while on vacation.
So I trusted that he and I would figure it out once we got there (which we did)!
However there were two things I was 100% clear I was gonna do while in Mexico:
1️⃣ Make sure my son had fun (it was his grad gift after all)!
2️⃣ Make sure I had fun too! I wasn’t just gonna do what HE wanted to do. It had to work for me as well.
(No more throwing myself under the bus and neglecting my own needs, thank you very much!)
And what I really wanted to do was walk barefoot on the beach every morning.
I’d purposely chosen a resort on a long sandy beach so I could do just that.
So every morning I got up at 7:15am.
Without fail.
I put my bathing suit, wrap and SPF 30 sunscreen on. Grabbed a coffee from the buffet downstairs.
And walked the glorious beach for 2 hours (while my son slept soundly)!
It was pure heaven.
Me. The sun. Sand. Seabirds. And surf.
And a few other early morning beach-goers exchanging “hola’s” along the shore.
I couldn’t be happier. Except for one small thing…
My feet.
They hurt.
First from tripping on a hidden rock in the sand.
Big ouch!
Then from all the other long treks my son and I took. To places near and far.
First one blister appeared on my foot.
Then two more.
And then my poor ankle started to ache. From the way I was walking to protect my blisters!
Honestly it was all so annoying. If not a bit comical!
But still, I was committed to walking barefoot on the beach every morning!
Co-mit-ted!
Cuz my slight foot pain did not take away the pure joy I felt when my toes hit that cool, soft sand.
And I heard the rush of those big ocean waves.
So why am I telling you this?
What do my sore feet have to do with you?
Well here’s what I’ve realized…
Sometimes you gotta move through your own discomfort to learn how to do what brings you joy!
And I don’t mean sacrificing yourself.
I mean pushing past your discomfort, worry, anxiety, or fear of the unknown.
So you can do what you KNOW, deep down, brings you joy.
That *thing* that feeds your soul. And leads you to more contentment and inner peace.
And not let anything stand in your way!
Barefoot beach walks?
I’m sooooo in! Bruises, blisters, bandaids, and all!
You?
What do you really want? And what are you willing to do to get it?
How can you honour yourself and learn how to do what brings you joy every day?
Take a moment right now to ponder these questions. And listen closely to the answers that arise within.
Get clear on what makes you happy.
Big or small. It doesn’t matter.
Stay committed to yourself and your dreams.
And keep moving forward.
Learning how to do what brings you joy isn’t always easy, but it’s worth it…no matter what!
Because you deserve to live your very best life.
As for me and my sore feet?
Well, I eventually went home to Vancouver and recovered.
But every time I think about those long morning beach walks in Mexico, my heart swells with joy.
Because yes, dammit…I did it!
I stayed focused on what makes me happy.
And I didn’t let anything — not even some minor foot pain — get in my way!
Kerry xo
P.S. Curious how to start learning how to do what brings you joy in your own life? Take my free What Brings You Joy? Quiz to discover your unique Joy Type and simple steps to reconnect with what lights you up.