Welcome to our Newsletter!
A behind-the-scenes look at Terranam Wellness & self-care tips for taking better care of yourself.
BY MARIA GARRIDO - 2 MINUTE READ
Nine years ago, I was an emotionally wrecked single mom with no job. My journey towards self care has been bumpy but well worth the ride.
THE BREAKDOWN
Nine years ago, I was an emotionally wrecked single mom with no job. It has not been an easy ride. There have been some incredible highs and some terrible lows, sometimes happening at the same time!
In 2014, I was fortunate enough to find an amazing global job that gave me the financial security to keep my family afloat but being a single parent has been very challenging. Single moms have no ‘backup team’ to lean on. They must take on the good and the bad of being a parent alone: the work and responsibility of raising children, financially supporting them, providing them with the proper education, emotional and moral guidance, etc It is ALL on their shoulders.
It started to take a toll on my health. I was trying to be everything to everyone, making day trips to New York from Paris so I wouldn’t miss breakfast with my kids, getting off 14 hr flights to go straight to parent-teacher meetings because there is no one else to pick up the slack…. until one day, I finally cracked.
Like many other mornings, I got up at 5 am to make a day trip to Madrid for meetings. I had the whole day perfectly planned out; I would attend my meetings and be back in time to pick up my youngest son from school, while the babysitter managed the two other children’s activities. My flight was delayed returning home and when I landed in Paris, 2 hours late, I had several missed calls from a neighbor, who had taken in my 8 yr old after finding him standing outside our house alone. Suddenly realized I’d forgotten my son and he’d walked home 2 km in the autumn darkness alone. In the taxi returning home, I lost it. I cried- more like wailed- from exhaustion, from guilt, from ALL of the weight on my shoulders. It was a breaking point for me. I knew that I had been so busy taking care of my career, my family, my friends, and all the other demands of life, but I had abandoned myself.
FIRST STEPS INTO SELF CARE
I needed to learn to prioritize myself, not as a mom, a boss, a friend, BUT as a woman and a human being.
I’d always been curious about wellness retreats, so I decided to give them a go and booked my first solo vacation. This was the beginning of an immensely enriching journey to learn to take better care of myself. I found retreats gave me permission to pause. Away from daily obligations, I could focus on breathing, yoga, eating healthier, and sleep. As a solo traveler, I found the conversations on hikes and over meals with other retreaters incredibly enriching. I cannot express the amount of joy it gives me to let go of the ‘to do list’ and just enjoy being present.
Wellness Retreats have taught me that self-care is about establishing new practices that boost my overall health. They are an opportunity to reset and bring back to my daily life the ability to slow down and the tiny habits (reducing my daily coffee intake, to more mindful eating, to connecting with nature, etc.) that all together make me a better version of myself.
Wellness retreats have helped me begin and maintain that path towards relaxation and renewal.
THE BEGINNING OF TERRANAM WELLNESS
This beautiful project, Terranam Wellness Retreats, is my way of giving a collective hug to the women of the world. Terranam Wellness Retreats bring together everything I’ve experienced at retreats around the world, the things I’ve learned along my own path towards self-care and lots of my passions from the Galician coast to connecting with nature, yoga, gastronomic culinary experiences and most importantly helping women.
I truly hope you’ll come and discover what we have to offer.
Maria x
SELF CARE TIP
For all of you who are struggling, especially after the years of pandemic and isolation, please don’t feel guilty about not providing enough for those you love. You are doing your best and YOU ARE ENOUGH. I know it’s difficult to find time to prioritize your needs, but do it this week: a nap, a walk, a swim, a chat with a friend, a manicure, a retreat, whatever gives you breathing space ❤️
COME JOIN US
Join us at one of our exclusive self-care retreat experiences.