Chill Girl Summer

Resetting My Nervous System, My Way

Last Friday was National Relaxation Day - I never knew this was a thing, but thanks to my trusted computer calendar and all its reminders, I receive these types of notifications every day. In all honesty, I've been having what I've been calling a "Chill Girl Summer" - unplugging from devices, stepping away from social media, and soaking in as much sunshine and fresh air as possible.

Wellness circles are all buzzing about “regulating your nervous system” these days, and I realized I’ve been doing just that — without even labeling it — especially this summer. For me, it looks like taking 8–12 thousand conscious steps a day. Before I move, I ground myself with meditation and breathwork (I’ve been shaping my own practice). Then I ease into stretching, a little tai chi, and some free-form dancing before heading out for a walk.

When I say conscious steps, I mean starting with the breath: deep inhales, deep exhales, until it becomes second nature. And then something magical tends to happen — the world looks more colourful and sparkly, yet more defined, almost like the clarity of psychedelics, but through sober presence alone. I've realized in my own exploration how breathing is the key to connecting to everything - as I take these conscious steps, connecting with each breath I take, I also am conscious of aligning my spine, feeling my confidence come back to me, feeling the energy of the trees around me, and just noticing what is happening in the neighbourhood in general.

My life lately may seem boring to some people that thrive in fast-paced environments, but right now, I'm unapologetically in my Chill Girl era. I know this cannot last forever, but I'm relishing in it for as long as I can, in order to get back to myself, to breathe out the toxicity, and to regain my strength and clarity. A couple years ago, I scheduled every minute of my day with all types of work, my own projects, social engagements, and other obligations - and I completely burned out. I started to get rashes out of no where, my general health started to decline, I could feel myself as being a shell of a person just moving from one thing to another, and on top of that, I kept finding myself in the middle of other people's drama. I was doing everything — and yet I felt like it was nothing of value.

This summer is different. It’s about breathing out the toxicity, finding clarity, and regaining strength at my own pace. I know this season won’t last forever, but for now, it’s exactly what I need. And to be honest, as I walk through the city as a ninja, I am always entertained - there's always something funny or even beautiful that I run into or overhear.

You don’t have to travel all the way to Asia for a water purification ceremony — though I’m sure the sacred waters in Bali are extraordinary, and I look forward to experiencing them one day. The truth is, all water is sacred. By honouring the water that flows near us, we create a deeper connection to the world right where we are.

I’ve been guilty of thinking greener pastures only exist in far-off lands, but this summer I’ve been honouring the piece of Heaven I was lucky enough to be raised in. Spending time here has reminded me not only to cherish my local environment but also to think about how I can serve my community — to help ensure it stays beautiful, safe, and alive for future generations.

One way I’ve been doing this is through small water rituals at the creek near my home. The water here is pristine, and I treat it as medicine. If you’d like to try something similar, seek out a clean, flowing stream or river — somewhere you’re allowed to dip your feet. Make sure your skin is free from lotions or chemicals, and if you find a bubbling point or gentle rapid, even better. Get your feet wet, fully immerse in the water, let it carry away the heaviness, and notice how it shifts your energy.

Below is the bubbling brooke that I try to visit at least once every day:

I don’t know what it is about being here, but when I allow myself to sink into full meditation mode and let my self-consciousness dissolve, I feel alive again. That’s when clarity comes, and I naturally start writing in my notebooks or practicing how I might one day guide meditation and wellness practices. It all flows from a place of deep sincerity and authenticity.

My practice usually begins with dipping my feet in the water, then moving into my own form of yoga, tai chi, and breathwork. Last week, as I was deep in a stretch, I looked up and saw four little teenage ducks with their mother close by. It felt so special — I remembered seeing them as tiny ducklings just a month ago, and now here they were, within arm’s reach, calmly sharing my energy.

They reminded me of my cats, who always seemed to run up to me after deep stretching, just soaking in the energy. But it also brought me back to watching my sister’s kids grow from babies into teenagers, and all these memories of the last ten years started to flood my mind. That realization touched me so deeply, it brought me to tears. (I know, I’m sentimental — but I’ll own that part of me!).

This little duck family chilled with me for a good half an hour; I noticed they only started to move and swim away when negative thoughts started to creep into my mind, and that made me really aware of my thoughts and how powerful our thoughts can be, not just in our own lives, but to the natural world around us.

My meditation was cut short that day when a man showed up with a date for a picnic, so I wandered deeper into the forest. I set my bag down on an old crate and was immediately greeted by… a bee (I'm pretty sure there was a hive under the crate that I carelessly plopped my bag on). Out of nowhere, it flew straight into my thumb at full speed. It was my first sting ever, and the pain was so foreign — sharp, intense, and searing.

But because I’d just been in deep meditation, I felt it even more vividly. I could sense my body responding: the blood rushing in, the heat rising, my system beginning to heal. And strangely enough, at some point, the pain actually started to feel good. That’s when I had to laugh at myself and admit — I forgot how much of a freak I can be lol.

As strange as it sounds, the bee sting became a kind of Tantric teaching for me. Tantra isn’t about chasing pleasure or avoiding pain — it’s about being present with whatever arises. When I first felt the sting, the pain was overwhelming. But because I was already in a deep meditative state, I didn’t fight it. I surrendered. I breathed into the intensity, and something shifted. The sharpness softened, the heat spread, and then… it actually began to feel good.

This reminded me of intimacy — not in the sense of pain equaling pleasure, but in how overwhelming sensation can transform when we surrender to it. Just as in Tantra, where we learn to expand our capacity to hold more love, more energy, more intensity, even a bee sting became a portal into presence and arousal of life itself.

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As I walked off the pain of the sting, I was met with this random poem, and it really struck me:

This stopped me in my tracks because it resonates so deeply with my relationship with my own mom. She still carries the perspective of being an immigrant in a Western land, holding onto the idea that stability and a normal job are the safest path forward. But I can’t unsee the changes happening — in this city, this country, and across the globe. I feel called to protect, to create, to serve, even if that doesn’t look “normal.” Our perspectives are different, but both are born from love for this place.

I know I am incredibly lucky — and extremely privileged — to have the opportunity to bask in this “Chill Girl Summer.” There have been moments when it felt indulgent, and I even felt guilty, but at the same time, it felt completely necessary. For years, I’ve been running on empty without even realizing it.

This time has allowed me to reconnect with myself, to understand how I want to serve others, and to gain inspiration and regulation I didn’t know I needed. With great privilege comes great responsibility, and as summer winds down, it feels like the right time to pay it forward.

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This summer isn’t about doing more — its about feeling more, noticing more, and letting yourself breathe. Here’s to a Chill Girl Summer that nourishes your body, mind, and spirit.

To close out this post, here are some of the ways you can have your own Chill Summer while it's still around:

1. Step Away from Screens – Even if just for an hour a day. Let your mind rest from the constant scroll.

   
   

2. Take Conscious Steps – Whether it’s a walk, tai chi, or gentle stretching, move in a way that connects you to your body and the world around you.

   
   

3. Connect With Water – Dip your feet in a creek, river, or even your bathtub. Breathe, feel, and let the water remind you of the flow of life.

   
   

4. Notice Nature Around You – Pay attention to small moments: birds, flowers, clouds, or even a poem posted on a streetlight. These little details can open up your perspective.

   
   

5. Meditate Daily – Even 5 minutes counts. Let your thoughts settle, your nervous system calm, and your intuition speak.

   
   

6. Reflect and Journal – Capture your experiences, insights, or feelings. Writing helps integrate what you notice during your Chill Summer.

   
   

7. Give Back – As summer winds down, think about ways you can pay forward the clarity and energy you’ve cultivated — to loved ones, your community, or the world.

   
   

As I walked by a church nearby, there was a quote that scrolled on the digital bulletin board that read:

"Sometimes God is disguised as a refreshing summer breeze on a warm night"

And I kid you not — as I continued my walk that night, a gentle yet very present breeze wrapped around me, a reminder that the Universe walks with us whenever we pay attention. May you walk forward knowing this as well: by simply being here, you are an important part of the grand scheme of everything.

This summer has been a gentle reminder to slow down, to reconnect with my body, my breath, and the natural world around me — from the creek and the ducks, to the bees, the sun, and even a simple quote on a church bulletin board. My Chill Girl Summer has taught me that presence is sacred, that surrender can bring clarity, and that even the smallest moments — a breeze, a flowing stream, or a carefully noticed street poem — can bring profound inspiration.

As summer winds down, I invite you to take a little time for yourself: unplug, move consciously, notice nature, breathe deeply, and reflect on how you want to show up for those you love and the world at large. Let the universe wrap around you like a gentle summer breeze, and walk forward knowing that you are an essential part of this beautiful, intricate life.

Well this post is a good example of how the Hero, Lover, Muse, Warrior and Tribe Member all work hand-in-hand.... so until next time, I hope you enjoy your summer days and feel the power of your own presence come alive!

xoxoxo