Fairytales from an Unexpected Journey
My Summer in Slovakia
I didn't know where Slovakia was either.
…and it certainly wasn't on my bucket list of places to go in Europe.
When I mapped out my vision of 2023…I thought I'd be buying a home this summer, not living out of a suitcase.
If you've been following my Instagram, you might already know that since May I've been living the digital nomad life, bouncing around between Connecticut, Florida, and New York.
While I would so love to tell you all the reasons I'm choosing to live this lifestyle right now, some parts of the healing journey need to remain offline and in the privacy of my heart.
All I'll say for now is that I'm navigating the uncharted waters of a major life change and movement has been the medicine to meet the momentum of the moment.
So when my soul sister and business-wife-from-another-life Jen Rambala asked me to join her for their annual summer trip visiting family in Slovakia, I said “Why, not!?” and the rest is herstory.
I took a break from creating anything new inside my business, rescheduled my 1:1 clients to the Fall, and decided to fuck off to Europe for the summer.
In Slovakia, they say the best plan is the one made last minute.
I booked a 12-day trip 3 weeks before I left…and ended up staying for a whole month.
It's amazing what happens when you follow your body, not the mind.
Skinned-knee-mud-soaked-dance-till-you-see-the sunrise EDM Festival Vibes
Jet skiing under the full moon
Beachcombing BBQs + Sunset skinny dipping
Foraging for mushrooms, wild blueberries, raspberries, and chai
Barbie Girl Dance Parties & Glitter Face painting
Guláš, bonfires, and accordion sing-a-longs
Houseboat rooftop hangs & shooting stars under the Milk Way
Sunday Soup and lunch at Babička’s
Alley Cats, Roosters, Hedgehogs, Wild Pigs, and Storks
Mountaintop Milka Chocolate & bushwhacking down a ravine at dusk
Domáca & Magnesium packets
Two-hour Slovák coffee breaks
Hot Slovák dance moms & athleisure sets
Tractor pulls, dirt bikes, & quad rides in the mud
Death & Rebirth massages from the village witch
Barefoot soccer, paddle board fishing, & waterskiing with hot air balloons
No humidity, mosquitos, or ticks! Dry heat & sleeping with the windows open
Manual transmission & hold-your-breath switchbacks
Double Rainbows, Mother Mary, and Chasing Wifi
Fairytale cottages, red geraniums, garden gnomes, hedgehogs, and fairies…
Castles, dragons, moats, and mushroom houses
The meat guy, duck eggs, beef tartare, Slovak string cheese, and those beets!
Mulled warm wine & don’t-look-down cable car rides
Naked sauna days, cold plunging, & all the lemon mint water you can drink
Goddess wood chopping in flip flops & fluffy earrings
Late-night zlatičko thunderstorms and Google translate
Family massages & cuddle puddles
Cultural identity, national pride, & generous hospitality
Straight outta Tolkein —The Shire meets the Misty Mountains
Masculine + Feminine Polarity 101
Castles, dragons, moats, and mushroom houses
The meat guy, duck eggs, beef tartare, Slovak string cheese, and those beets!
Mulled warm wine & don’t-look-down cable car rides
Naked sauna days, cold plunging, & all the lemon mint water you can drink
Goddess wood chopping in flip flops & fluffy earrings
Late-night zlatičko thunderstorms and Google translate
Family massages & cuddle puddles
Cultural identity, national pride, & generous hospitality
Straight outta Tolkein —The Shire meets the Misty Mountains
a complete RESET of my Feminine Energy.
Slovakia, you stole a piece of my heart.
I arrived feeling completely burnt out and empty inside.
Your beauty, culture, food, and people brought me back to life.
I left Connecticut a basic American mutt & came home a little bit Slovák.
What started out as the most heartbreaking summer of my life turned into the most magical, fun, and life-changing experience.
I was able to soften and receive parts of myself that I had buried deep down inside..and I will never be the same.
10/10 recommend taking a commercial break from life and immersing yourself in a fairytale wonderland when the opportunity strikes.
I promise you won't regret it.
Here's to making plans that don't make sense to the mind, but feel oh-so-good to the heart.
With love, Lydia
P.S. Mark your calendars for July 2024. We're going back to Slovakia!
Reset your Feminine Energy in 11 days of pleasure, play, adventure, healing, magic, and pure FUN in the land of fairytales. 3 spots left for spiritual women in business ready to ditch the hustle and soften into their true feminine nature. Send me an email at lydia@lydiamcclain.com for more information.
