Travel, Sea & Sunshine - Where I Find My Energy

I am often asked where I get the energy to do it all - grow a business, raise a teenager, keep the creative juices flowing, and still show up with a smile.

The reality? I don't always. There are days I am exhausted, stretched thin, or operating on silent fumes. Yet, over the years, I've found what restores me to myself - those little rituals and rhythms that fill my cup when life becomes heavy.

For me, it always comes back to travel, sea, sunshine, and taking care of my body.

The Sea Always Brings Me Home.

The ocean is my reset button. Whenever I'm feeling unbalanced, I walk my dogs on the beach, stick my toes in the sand, and breathe in the salty air.

There's something about the sea that reminds me that everything moves in cycles - the tide goes out, the tide comes back in. Life ebbs and flows, and for some reason, that always makes me feel at peace.

Even 20 minutes on the beach can shift my whole mood. It's where I exhale the stress and find space again.

☀️ Sunshine, Simplicity & Small Joys

I am always happier when the sun is shining. It's a reminder that joy isn't always big or dramatic - it's in the small, everyday things.

A nice cup of tea on the patio. Five minutes of quiet before the day begins. A walk in the fresh air. Those are the things that ground me when life starts spinning out of control. 

I've learned that if I am going to be here for everyone else - my business, my son, my team - I have to start by being here for myself.

🔋Nourishing My Energy

The older I get, the more I realise that energy doesn't just happen - it's something I have to nurture and protect.

For me, that means the basics: eating properly, drinking enough water, exercising regularly, getting good sleep, and making time to rest when I need to.

Trust me, I don't always get it right! There are some weeks when I forget to drink enough water or stay up too late watching "just 1 more episode" of a Netflix series - but I can tell the difference when I do. My body is more at ease. My mind is clearer. My mood is lighter. 

There's a quiet kind of strength that comes from taking care of yourself - not out of guilt or duty, but out of love. Because when we're nourished and rested, everything else comes more easily.

✈️The Joy of Travel

Before moving to Cape Town, travel was a massive part of my life. I would venture overseas fairly frequently - exploring new cities, soaking up new cultures, feeding that part of me that craves freedom and inspiration.

Nowadays, however, things are a little different. Work involves tighter budgets and fewer impulsive trips. I also feel like I've created a life I don't need to escape from. I have the privilege of living in one of the world's most stunning locations - something I never take for granted.

If I do need a change of scenery, a drive along Chapman's Peak, a weekend in the Cedarberg, or a few days in the winelands is all I need to recharge.

Travel, for me, has become less about distance than perspective - about creating space to breathe, to dream, and to remember who I am outside of my to-do list.

✨ Finding Your Own Sunshine

We all have something that fills our cup. For me, it's a swim in the sea, time in the mountains, a cycle around the peninsula, and the occasional escape - near or far. For you, perhaps it's something else - a walk in nature, an afternoon nap, or trying out new restaurants.

Whatever that is, plan it. Protect it. It's not a luxury - it's a necessity. 

🛑A Little Reminder

As we head into the silly season, I am aware that for each one of us, it looks different. For some of us in retail or hospitality, it's the busiest time of the year. For others, it is the luxury of a well-earned break.

Wherever you are, this is your gentle reminder to practice presence and to be kind to yourself. Eat well. Move your body. Drink water. Sleep deeply. Take a moment to enjoy the sunshine.

Your energy isn't endless - it's precious. And when you take care of yourself, you can show up for everything and everyone else with more ease, grace, and joy.

Here's to a season that feels a bit lighter, a bit calmer, and a whole lot more you.

✨ Next in the series: The Power of Community — Why We Need Each Other More Than Ever.