Are you a holiday traveler? We typically are not, but this year we broke from tradition and set sail on something completely different, making Christmas look and feel a lot different.
Instead of the usual rush of decorating, shopping, wrapping, shipping gifts, cooking, running, squeezing in “one more thing”, I found myself somewhere else entirely. Somewhere warmer. Slower. Louder in color, and quieter in spirit.
This trip took us through Costa Maya, Belize, Roatán, and Cozumel, with the cruise itself becoming part of the experience, not just transportation, but a floating pause button between worlds.
And maybe most unexpectedly, it gave me something I didn’t know how much I needed:
distance.
From the noise.
From the news.
From the endless scroll.
From the constant pull to react instead of reflect.
This series is about that space…
what I learned in it, what surprised me, and what stayed with me long after we pulled back into port.
Stepping Away From the Noise
Somewhere between sea days and shore excursions, without internet or WiFi, my phone became what it was meant to be, a way to capture moments, not consume noise. The news faded, social media fell away, and presence took its place.
And, guess what? The world didn’t fall apart, and neither did I…lol
Instead, my nervous system softened. My thoughts slowed. I slept better. I listened more. I noticed things again, the sound of water against the ship, the rhythm of the streets, the way conversations unfold when no one’s half-distracted.
It reminded me how much mental energy we give away every single day without realizing it.
When you disconnect from the constant input, you reconnect to something quieter, but far more powerful.
Slowing Down Changes What You See
There’s something about being on the water that recalibrates you.
Cruise days blur urgency. Time stretches. Meals become moments instead of tasks. Conversations linger. You walk more. You breathe deeper. You actually notice the sky.
Then you step onto land…and each stop has its own heartbeat.
Each place we visited carried a different rhythm:
- The depth of history and resilience in Costa Maya
- The vibrant color and warmth in Belize
- The lush, natural beauty of Roatán
- The richness of culture and energy of Cozumel
Different languages. Different foods. Different definitions of success, wealth, and “enough.”
And quietly, without effort, it shifts you.
The Spirit of the Mayan People
One of the most meaningful parts of this journey was learning about and being so close to the ancient Mayan civilization.
There’s a presence there that’s hard to explain unless you’ve felt it. A reverence for the land. A spiritual intelligence. A deep respect for time, nature, and community.
The Mayans were master astronomers, innovators, builders, healers, and storytellers. They understood cycles—of nature, of the body, of life itself—long before modern science caught up.
Standing where that history lives, you can’t help but feel humbled.
It made me reflect on how disconnected modern life can feel from wisdom that’s been here all along. How much we rush forward without honoring what came before. How often we forget that progress doesn’t always mean faster.
Sometimes it means deeper.
The People Make the Place
What struck me most wasn’t just the excursions or scenery, though both were stunning.
It was the people.
Guides who spoke with pride about their islands and heritage. Locals selling handmade goods with stories attached. Smiles that felt unhurried. Conversations that weren’t transactional.
There was a groundedness I don’t always feel at home.
Less performance.
Less urgency.
More presence.
And it made me ask myself some honest questions:
- Where am I moving too fast?
- What noise do I need to turn down?
- What would happen if I allowed more space into my days?
Food, Culture, and Connection
Food tells the story of a place.
From fresh local favorites to unique spices, from street-side bites we ate in vans or buses, to shared meals onboard, everything felt intentional. Food wasn’t rushed or minimized. It was enjoyed.
And that stood out.
So much of hustle culture shows up in how we eat, rest, and move through life. This trip quietly challenged that, not with rules, but with contrast.
A reminder that nourishment isn’t just physical.
It’s cultural.
It’s communal.
It’s emotional.
Below is a beautiful Belizean Mayan Proverb, that means: The way you move through the world reflects who you are, your awareness and humility shape the journey.
“Where I go, I see myself.”
Why I’m Sharing This Series
I’m far from a travel professional, so this isn’t a formal travel guide, just some insight from my personal experience from land and sea.
Yes, I’ll share highlights, excursions, and moments from each destination. But more than that, this series is about:
- What happens when we disconnect from constant noise
- What travel teaches us when we slow down enough to notice
- How ancient wisdom still speaks, if we’re willing to listen
- And why, especially at this stage of life, growth comes from presence, not pressure
Because real expansion doesn’t come from doing more.
It comes from living with intention.
What’s Coming Next
In the posts ahead, I’ll dive into:
- Each destination and what made it unique
- Cultural moments that stayed with me
- The beauty and simplicity of island life
- The cruise experience itself, what surprised me and what I loved
- And the lessons I brought home
So consider this your invitation.
To travel with me.
To reflect a little.
To unplug…if only for a moment.
And to remember that sometimes the most meaningful journeys happen when we step away from the noise and return to ourselves.
Coming soon, first stop, the voyage, sunsets, and Costa Maya….✨
If you traveled for Christmas this year, drop a comment and share where you visited.
Denise XO
Beyond the Hustle 
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