Before I detail on what the agenda is for my time in Costa Rica I will outline the prep I have been making for my departure to the tropical climate.

I am currently working at the University I graduated from and making the decision to leave was difficult. Sometimes I see a future for myself here, but then I suddenly feel overcome with anxiety, I know there is a lot more out there.

Since 2016 kicked in to action and I started my internship I have made a more focused and driven effort towards healthier choices both in the kitchen and at the gym. I educating myself first, choosing Patrick Halfords nutrition bible and nutrition of the mind as my starting point. I do not live by these by any means, however I found the knowledge and research very helpful when looking for information on general wellbeing and nutrition. I want to try and keep it simple for the most part, and not get bogged down in the world of ‘optimum health’, for there is always someone who is going to disagree. I feel there is quite a negative atmosphere within the world of ‘positive living’ which is rather ironic. People are obsessed with following the latest trends and trying to present a healthier version of themselves than necessary.

For me, it seems quite obvious, at first anyway. ‘Plants not plants’ is the mantra, which refers to choosing your food which is from the earth and not factories (food plants). Also, we may not know the long-term effects of GMO’s yet, however something tells me we should steer clear from genetically modifying our food, so its organic for me.

Once I arrive in Costa Rica I want to continue and develop my fitness and cooking. I have only made a more conscious effort to live a healthier life in the last two years, not because it’s cool at the moment, but because I want to live a long and happy life, one that is not riddled with disease and burden. I know this is not always avoidable, however the least I can do is play my part, and make the right decisions each and every day with the food I eat.

Unfortunately, I am not having the same fulfilment in my bid to learn Spanish. I am trying to give a small part of each day to study. I know the best way I will respond to my Spanish language acquisition will be once I am in Costa Rica. In Peru I quickly began to learn the necessities and be able to hold basic conversations with the locals. The best way to learn a new language is always to immerse yourself in the language and the culture of the country.  This way is a lot more hands on and practical and I find it a lot easier learning a language naturally.

I want to travel and explore as much of the country as I can during my time there. Long weekends spent with nothing more than a map and a backpack, venturing off to novel places and meeting new people. During the week I will be working at a school and I also hope to work part-time for a local (English based) media agency. I will also be volunteering once a week, or once every fortnight, at a local sloth sanctuary which rescues injured or endangered sloths. They help rehabilitate sloths and release them back into the wild. Personally I find sloths to be one of the most beautiful animals that brace the earth. Not just in appearance but also as a creature of the planet. I am excited to give whatever time and help I can to support the heroes who work around the clock helping these beautiful creatures.

Wildlife is certainly one of the things which attracted me to Costa Rica, for such a small country it is amazing to find such an abundance of diverse flora and wildlife, it really is remarkable.

I would detail further on what I have planned, however the truth is a lot of what I plan to do will be of a spontaneous nature. I will see to the things I love, with surfing being at the forefront of most plans. I want to shop at the local markets and by local produce, eating in at the local ‘sodas’ and embrace the community.

I will have more time to do the things I love, more time to be me. With the life I currently live in England, between commuting, working and trying to squeeze in the gym I find myself with very little time, as most people do. I respect and appreciate a hardworking ethic, and I know I thrive in those environments. But right now this is the right decision for me. It’s an opportunity to truly embrace and enjoy life. I don’t want to live life waiting for the weekend to arrive, I want to be able to enjoy my every day. I will finish with what some might say are cliché quotes, but i feel like I can resonate with this mantra – plus what a truly inspirational and brilliant man.

‘You can’t connect the dots looking forward; you can only connect them looking backwards. So you have to trust that the dots will somehow connect in your future. You have to trust in something – your gut, destiny, life, karma, whatever.’

‘Your time is limited, so don’t waste it living someone else’s life. Don’t be trapped by dogma – which is living with the results of other people’s thinking. Don’t let the noise of other’s opinions drown out your own inner voice. And most important, have the courage to follow your heart and intuition.’

– Steve Jobs