Pura Vida

What does it really mean to be free?

Not just the kind of freedom we talk about on holidays or in textbooks. I’m talking about soul-deep freedom. The kind where you can breathe without shrinking, where you walk into a room and your presence speaks before you do. The kind where you are fully, unapologetically you — no filters, no fear, no explaining who you are or why you exist.

I felt that kind of freedom for the first time in a long time in Costa Rica.

On a women’s yoga retreat with eight beautiful souls, I found something I didn’t even know I had lost — myself. Not the version of me that’s constantly navigating how people perceive my skin, my faith, my roots… but Maty. Just Maty. Whole. Seen. Loved. Free.

There, I floated in the ocean with no weight on my shoulders. I stood barefoot on the earth, rooted, held, and reminded that I belong. I felt the breeze kiss my skin like an old friend, the sun pouring blessings over my crown. I moved with fire — not to prove anything, but simply to be. To exist loudly and take up space without apology.

That trip taught me what it means to live in love — not just talk about it. To love others for who they are, not what they do or how they show up. To hold space. To care deeply. To let go.

I even got sick on the trip — and I started to feel bad about it, like I needed to power through and “tough it out.” But these women wrapped me in care without hesitation. They saw me and responded with love. And for once, I let myself receive it. That moment cracked something open inside of me.

Because somewhere along the way, society taught me that love is something you earn, not something you’re worthy of simply because you’re here.

But Costa Rica — Pura Vida — taught me different.

So here’s my heart to yours:

I challenge you to lead with love.

Love yourself enough to slow down. To forgive. To take up space. To say no.

Love others enough to check in, to call the friend you’ve lost touch with, to listen without trying to fix.

Take yourself on a date. Look in the mirror and see you.

Not who the world told you to be — but who you truly are.

Be free.

Be bold.

Be love.

Because I believe with everything in me: when we live in love, we change the world.

Pura Vida, always.

— Maty 💛

Photo taken by the beautiful Cat. Follow her on Instagram at @cat.ofall.trades to see all the beautiful photos she took on the retreat to capture Costa Rica in its elements