Reminiscing on recovery

The coastal breeze drifted in. The dark blue waters met the bluest of blue skies. The smell of salty sea air, the BBQ firing to life, beer bottles clinking in the fridge, sun disappearing behind the water’s edge – this was how I spent recovery.

I have been in and out of recovery for the last five years. And it never gets any easier.

I spent at least six months in recovery in 2019, and most of 2021 also in recovery. I had a lot of time to think about my life. What was working and what wasn’t working. My deepest fears, and my bright lights. Numerous times, I had to reevaluate my life and what it may look like in the future.

Most recently, in November 2023, I retreated to my parent’s apartment by the beach in the Sunshine Coast.

At the time, there was no better place for me to be post-hospital. I needed to be with family and friends and take a step back from my Sydney life.

I needed the separation.

I needed to think about what I wanted from life.

I took long walks on the beach, drank too many mango smoothies, had a beer or five, and did exactly what I wanted to do for the first time in a long time.

Now, in March 2024, I reminisce on this time away and how it helped me set up for the year ahead.

You hear a lot of stories about the perfect getaway to a remote luxury villa on a deserted island. The Maldives. Crystal clear waters and too many daiquiris.

I never before could understand why you need to step away sometimes and do things for yourself and on your own terms.

But now, I totally get it. Life isn’t all about work, or achieving every KPI, or pleasing people to get further in life. In reality, it’s about balance and enjoying the slower, less stressful times.

Here are some photos I took from my time on the Sunshine Coast. I hope they inspire you to take a break of your own and cherish the little things, like going for a swim in the ocean, drinking a cocktail by the water or riding your bike down quiet streets.

Much love,

Zak