Let That Sh*t Go

I found this T-shirt in a small shop in Tamarindo, Costa Rica.

A meditating sloth.

Four simple words.

A powerful reminder:

Let that sh*t go.

It made me smile at first, but the longer I looked at it, the more it spoke to something deeper.

Let go of what does not serve or support you.

Let go of what you cannot control.

Let go of the misguided idea of perfection.

Let go of what others think of you.

Let go of the thoughts and stories that fuel anxiety and steal your peace.

One of the reasons I choose to make Costa Rica my winter home is to do exactly this, to let sh*t go. Here, my focus naturally shifts toward health and simplicity. Healthy, nourishing food. Movement on the beach. Time at the gym. Surrounding myself with others who embrace the Pura Vida lifestyle, a simple life rooted in presence, gratitude, and connection.

It is a place where my spirit lights up, and my ego softens. Where striving quiets and being takes its place. Where “enough” finally feels like enough.

So I invite you to pause and ask yourself:

What can you let go of today?

What shift in your thinking could bring more peace and less pressure?

A simple practice I often suggest is this. Write down the things you are ready to release. Worries. Expectations. Old stories. Self-judgment. Fear. The need to control. Then make a promise to yourself. Not to change everything at once, but to begin letting sh*t go, one conscious choice at a time.

At the end of most lives, people do not reflect on the small, minuscule things that once consumed their days. They do not dwell on opinions, imperfections, stress, or endless “what ifs.”

What remains is love.

Who we loved.

Who loved us.

How fully we allowed ourselves to live.

So let us not wait until the end to release what weighs us down.

Let us not wait for illness, loss, or regret to teach us what matters.

Let sh*t go. Begin today.

When the Routine Changes, the Commitment Remains

Today I returned to the gym, and it felt good.

For months, I made walking part of my daily routine. Beach walks helped me feel steady, stronger, and gave me room to breathe. Moving has always been important for both my body and my spirit.

Recently, after starting a new medication, long walks started causing side effects I couldn’t ignore. That was my sign to pause, not to quit, but to make a change.

So, instead of heading to the beach, I went to the gym.

I spent 20 minutes on the elliptical, then did some upper-body exercises. It felt different, was easier on my feet, and still had a purpose. Most of all, it let me keep moving.

Two posters on the wall stood out to me.

They reminded me that everyone faces challenges. It’s not about giving up, but about changing direction and making wise choices. Strength isn’t always about pushing harder. Sometimes it means listening to yourself and adapting, rather than quitting.

Getting a two-month gym membership here in Tamarindo wasn’t a setback. It was my way of staying committed, honouring my body, and supporting my healing.

Movement still matters. Having a purpose still matters.

Adapting isn’t quitting; it’s being resilient.

Massage by the Ocean: A Gift of Mindful Healing

Getting a massage by the ocean feels deeply grounding. The sound of the waves, the warmth of the sun, and the gentle breeze create a peaceful place for both body and mind. In this setting, massage is more than just physical care. It becomes a way to practice mindfulness, presence, and peace.

Massage has many well-known benefits. It helps reduce muscle tension, improve circulation, support lymph flow, and encourage deep relaxation. But massage is more than just physical. It calms the nervous system, quiets the mind, and helps the body rest. With the sound of the ocean, these effects feel even stronger.

I am grateful for Irelena, a wonderful massage therapist who works right on the beach. She uses a holistic approach, combining the gentle flow of Swedish massage, the focused release of deep tissue work, and grounding stretches from Thai massage. Each session is personalized, respectful, and very restorative. It feels more like a mindful ritual than a regular appointment.

Living with stage IV breast cancer has changed how I see my body. I do not fight it or think of it as broken or separate from me. I care for my body as the vessel that carries my mind, heart, and spirit through life. My body is not my enemy. It is my host.

Massage is one way I honour that truth. Self-care is not separate from healing; it is part of it.

If mindful living and gentle self care resonate with you, you’re welcome to explore more reflections and practices in the Mindful Living section of Living Life Over Cancer.