There was a time when my ideal Saturday looked very different.
Getting ready with my friends.
Music blasting while we got ready and poured our pre-drinks.
Trying on six different outfits.
Going out for dinner that somehow turned into dancing until 2am.
And honestly?
I loved that chapter.
Some of my funniest memories happened on nights out.
I don't regret them for a second.
But somewhere along the way...
Something shifted.
These days, if you asked me what my perfect weekend looks like, it would probably involve an ocean swim, a long walk, a coffee (or an iced matcha), sunshine on my face, and leaving my phone in my bag for a while.
And the funny part?
I genuinely think I have more fun now.
These days, my version of a "wild Friday" looks something like this:
Watching the sunset.
Walking barefoot on the beach.
Listening to music while driving with the windows down.
Sitting outside with friends for hours without anyone checking the time.
Getting home before midnight.
Honestly?
Ten years ago I would've thought that sounded incredibly boring.
Now it sounds like the perfect evening.
It's funny how your idea of fun changes when your nervous system stops craving constant stimulation.
Think about what a typical night out actually involves.
Loud music.
Bright flashing lights.
Crowded spaces.
Constant conversations.
Phones.
Photos.
Notifications.
Alcohol.
Then the next morning...
Poor sleep.
Anxiety.
Feeling flat.
Again, there's absolutely nothing wrong with enjoying a night out.
I still do.
But I've noticed that my body doesn't recover from constant stimulation the way it used to.
And maybe it was never supposed to.
Whenever I spend a few hours outside, I notice something almost immediately.
My breathing slows down.
I stop checking my phone every two minutes.
My shoulders relax.
My thoughts become quieter.
I don't feel like I have to be "on."
There's actually science behind this.
Spending time in nature has been shown to lower cortisol (your body's primary stress hormone), reduce activity in the parts of the brain linked to rumination, and support your parasympathetic nervous system—the part responsible for helping you rest, recover, and feel calm.
In other words...
Nature tells your body,
"You can relax now."
And honestly?
I think a lot of us need to hear that.
One thing I've noticed is that when I'm outside, I naturally become more present.
I notice things.
The sound of the waves.
The warmth of the sun.
The wind.
The smell of the ocean.
The way the sky changes colour at sunset.
Simple things that somehow feel like enough.
When I'm glued to my phone, I miss all of that.
It's like my attention is always somewhere else.
Being outside reminds me that life is actually happening right here.
Not on my screen.
I still love getting dressed up.
I still love seeing my friends.
I still love the occasional night out.
But I've realized I don't need constant excitement to feel alive anymore.
Sometimes I feel most alive floating in the ocean.
Walking with no destination.
Having an iced matcha after a swim.
Driving with the windows down while my favourite song is playing.
Those moments don't make it onto everyone's Instagram Stories.
But they make it into my memory.
And I think that's even better.
Growing up isn't about becoming boring.
It's about becoming more intentional.
I've realized that the older I get, the less I'm chasing dopamine.
I'm chasing peace.
And surprisingly...
Peace is a lot more fun than I ever thought it would be.
So yes, I'll still say yes to a girls' night every now and then.
But these days?
Nature is my favourite nightclub.
The dress code is activewear.
The music is the ocean.
The cocktails have been replaced with an iced matcha.
And somehow...
I've never felt more like myself.
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