Hi Reader,

I've just returned from a family trip to Medellín, Colombia.

As much as I love Medellín (I've been there quite a few times!), this definitely was not a vacation.

Although there were some wonderful moments (like being surrounded by a ton of adorable llamas - see pic below 😊), it was a really challenging trip.

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The main purpose of this trip was actually dental work for the whole family -

Yup, that's right - our dentist is in Colombia.

Medellín is known for excellent dentists and a high standard of care - and due to the great exchange rate with the dollar, dental work costs quite a bit less in Colombia.

I am actually terrified of the dentist as a general rule.

But at our holistic dental practice in Medellín, they are so lovely, gentle and kind - they make dental work about as enjoyable as it can possibly be.

I mean, they even use essential oils and a face massage to help you relax - what other dentist does this??

(and yes - there will be an upcoming vlog about holistic dentistry and our whole Medellín trip 😊)

So honestly, although coordinating dental work for everyone was somewhat complicated (my husband's dental work was way more complicated then mine and had to be spread out over a few days), that was not really why the trip was challenging.

So why was it challenging then?

Several reasons.

The day before our original scheduled departure day, my daughter got an ear infection.

We actually didn't know it was an ear infection, just that she seemed to not be feeling well (which is very unusual for her). We took her to the pediatrician, who put her on a course of antibiotics and advised us to delay our trip by 24 hours, to give the antibiotics a chance to work.

Had it been a vacation, the delay would not have been a big deal, but this now involved a new round of communicating with the dentist in Colombia to reschedule the carefully scheduled work to be done.

Oh and did I mention?

We also were bringing my parents along for this trip so that they could get dental work done as well.

So we delayed our trip and two days later, landed in Medellín.

My daughter seemed to be feeling better but we took her to a pediatrician in Medellín just in case. (infection was cleared!)

So my daughter was better now but quite cranky as a result of the antibiotics. My husband and I were a bit worn out from the stress and lack of sleep and my parents had a million questions about everything (their first time in Colombia).

Honestly though?

This all probably would have been easier to handle, if it wasn't that I was totally out of my own routine.

I travel quite a bit, but when I travel for work - I'm by myself.

I've developed systems of keeping my healthy habits while I travel.

But on a trip where I quite literally never had a moment alone and we were busy nonstop - a lot of healthy habits fell to the side...

Exercise, meditation, daily greens, even my usual magnesium powder (my husband was concerned that I would be questioned at customs if I was bringing back a container of white powder from Colombia...)

Not to mention, the beds at our Airbnb were hard as rocks - so sleep was a challenge too!

So what did I learn from this?

Well for one, next time I'm taking my chances traveling with white powder! (I love my magnesium ❤️) -

And two -

My healthy routines are important. I already knew this, but this was a great reminder.

Most especially, I think being without meditation for a week was hard on me.

I am not one for long meditations but I do find that quick daily meditations are super important for my peace of mind and clarity.

(and if you need a quick video to help you get going with meditation - check out this one)

We have so many thoughts throughout the day and the fact is -

Most of them are negative.

This is part of why meditation is so helpful. It helps you to notice these thoughts and it helps you to transform them.

And as my dentist told me just before he gave me some laughing gas for my dental work (he knows that I have dentist anxiety) -

"You put the thoughts into your head and you are also the one who can take those thoughts out."

Wise words, indeed.

Wishing you lovely thoughts this Monday!

Love,

Amalia

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P.S. - When you're ready, here's two ways that I can help you feel your best: ​ 1) Reply to this email or click here to set up a free discovery call with me. We'll chat about your wellness goals and I'll tell you how I can help! ​ 2) Subscribe here to my YouTube channel and learn more about my favorite wellness tips. Don't see a video on the topic you're interested in? Reply to this email to request a specific topic for a future video! ​ ​www.yogabyamalia.com​ ​ ​

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