I just want to say a big thank you to you guys for your love on our new adventure. I know blog comments have taken a seat behind instagram comments, dos, and emails, and I’m okay with that. I just appreciate that you come here– you can connect with me wherever πŸ™‚ I appreciate all of it.

And while it’s fun and exciting news and plans happening over here, if I’m being honest, I’m overwhelmed by a lot of things now. I need to just admit it. I’m trying to feel grounded in this place– in the physical and emotional. But things haven’t been as carefree lately. And if I let it get to me…. then it really gets to me. And it shows in me physically, the stress of it all is not my friend and I gotta work taking care of myself through the hard parts.

I’m nervous about finances. About past decisions made. About the future. And more. I already put out there in the world, that I would be traveling less this year. But, that’s not how the year started. The year started with the idea that maybe Marlowe and I would getaway once a month. But then, for my health and sanity, I decided that maybe I should take a break, that my fear of flying needs to lesson a bit, otherwise I’m just straining mo body too much with stress.

But also, the decision works, because I need to be a bit tighter about finances now. Saving more, spending less. I think the decision has already started to take a little emotional toll on Marlowe and myself though. Because at least one of us will mention Mexico at least once a day. We miss it and we’d like to be there now. Β But right now we’re here, not there. And trying to make the very best of it. Mexico will come again one day. For vacation sooner enough. And full-time eventually… or at least that’s the goal we’re working towards.

In the meantime, here are some favorite photos and magical simple moments from our solo trip to Mexico at the beginning of the year. Three days into 2019 and Marlowe and I were on a plane to our favorite place. While my health isn’t as great as I’d like it to be (killing viral stuff everyday is HARD!), I will forever be grateful that I’m healthy enough to take these one on one trips with her again.

We arrived to the airport, jumped in a taxi, dropped our luggage at our apartment, changed into our slides and headed to our favorite nearby restaurant for lunch.

And I was brave enough to ask someone to take a photo within the first hour of being there. This will always be big for me, haha. You can see our favorite vegan spots to eat in Playa Del Carmen HERE.

We then made the very important executive decision to go to the beach. This was a smart choice.

One of the absolute best things about Mexico is that, for whatever reason, Marlowe actually enjoys doing home school there. Or she’s okay with it anyway. The very first morning there she got up, grabbed her math book and started working on her home school. I’m hoping the smaller space apartment change will bring this out of her too. (But I’m not holding my breath. Maybe we just need to move to Mexico and more home school magic will happen, haha).

I’ve also decided that I will not pack more than three items for Marlowe when we travel to mexico now. She basically wore two dresses the entire week here. And I packed A LOT. Mostly because we were going from hot to cold (going to Colombia straight from Mexico), but also I thought she’d want more dresses while there. But no. She worse this cute jumper just about everyday.

I however wore just about everything I brought and changed frequently. I just wanted to be the right level of comfortable for all our adventures haha. Morning smoothies and bathing suits are a great way to live.

Big fan of this random graffiti.. And also: Marlowe has wanted to do this touristy foot cleaning fish bath since her first trip to Mexico. I finally let her do it. It’s totally ridiculous. Especially since she’s already experienced the fish doing it out in the wild in the cenotes, but hey, it made her really happy.

Favorite simple activity? Long walk on the beach. Always. There’s just so much to explore there!

Coconuts and sun-tanned selfies.


Counter top vibes. We had substantially less fruit on the countertops without Alex in Mexico. Turns out bananas and papayas are very heavy to carry the five or so blocks from the market.

She ate SO MANY granadilla. And look… still in that jumper.

Hey look, an outfit change! Our other favorite activity is exploring the more local, non touristy parts of town. Theres a little park/community center to the west that was having a mini vegan festival, of course we decided to explore it.


We had chocolate cake. She got to color and play. We had a great time…

… Even when the rain decided to come pouring down.

We jumped in a taxi and the rain started to pass as we were about to pass the popsicle stand. We jumped out to get popsicles and walk the rest of the walk home. We have a lot of brilliant ideas in Mexico for sure πŸ˜‰

// My snuggle bug. Looking forward to the day when she kicks and punches me less in bed.

Pool vibes. Too cold in winter. Honestly, this pool is even too cold in summer for us. But in winter it’s not even an option for us tropical people πŸ˜‰

More outings. You know, the first year of Marlowe’s life my mom joked that she would be mute because I hardly speak. It’s true, I’m the quiet type. But so is Marlowe. At our restaurant outing we tend to bring a craft, a book, or sometimes a game to play. Also: I have zero shame knitting a giant sweater while sweating in Mexico, it’s cool.


I’m not sure when we’ll be back in Mexico. I’d like to be back there soon, but still have zero desire to get on a plane any time soon. I’m not sure what happened– we haven’t had a rough flight in a while, but I think it was just a build up of little bumps and big emotions. Looking forward to more solo trips with her, popsicle dates, beach hangs, and all the favorite things we love so much… whenever we can get there.

Tomorrow we head to the apartment to paint! Going to try to snap more pics and share so you can see the easy space we’re working with πŸ™‚ Cheers friends!

6 Comments

  1. Pingback: A Long Relaxing + Party Weekend In Anapoima Colombia

  2. Pingback: What Marlowe Eats - Meal Ideas For Feeding A Vegan Kid - OhDearDrea

  3. Hey Drea! I’m always inspired by you speaking openly about health and wellness and your struggles and growth, so I will share my struggles in hopes that it can help you with travel or general anxiety, even in some small way.

    I was recently diagnosed with OCD and have been working with a therapist on CBT for a few months. My recovery has helped me realize how little we all consider the state of our mental fitness in our overall well being, and how little our healthcare system (which we all know is terrible in lots of ways) supports or even understands mental health and our capacity to improve it. I’m discovering that it’s not necessary to solve anxiety and uncertainties before doing the things I value and enjoy in life… that I don’t have to let fear run my life and uncomfortable feelings guide my days.

    I’d love to see more mental health advocacy in the world have everyone understand their not just stuck with bad anxiety and lots of fears, but it is actually possible to heal from it (with a lot of hard work of course). Anyway, I love seeing your little family enjoying your beautiful lives and makes me sad to read that you are holding back and dealing with the fear of flying or getting gluten-ed when food and travel are two things you obviously love so much!

    A few resources that have taken me a long way:
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jJtVdEFy-UQ
    The Happiness Trap: How to Stop Struggling and Start Living: A Guide to ACT Paperback
    by Russ Harris
    Get Out of Your Mind and Into Your Life: The New Acceptance and Commitment Therapy
    by Steven C. Hayes

    Wishing you peace πŸ™‚

    • Hi Lea!

      I’ll def. check out those resources! I’m super comfortable with my decision to not fly right now. It’s not forever, only temporary. I just need to be in the right mindset and health phase to make it happen πŸ™‚ Thank you!!