Greece and the Art of Being Present

me at sunset

I just came back from a Greek vacation, and it was absolutely fantastic!
It felt amazing to escape the cold breeze of Poland and get far away from the hustle and bustle of city working life. Stepping out of the daily routine was such a refreshing change.

It was my first time in Greece something I’ve always dreamed of, as I’m sure many people do. We stayed in Kato Gouves, Crete, a truly lovely island for travelers seeking adventure under the sun.

Bucket list item: Visit Greece – check ✔️

here are some photos from that trip:

Limanaki beach

sunbeds and sunset

a small orthodox church from a hill overlooking the sea

love the seabreeze

Gouves has an amazing sunset

I went into this trip without expecting too much, but I did expect one thing: to rest and completely detach from social norms and the digital world. And I got exactly that. It was also my first time celebrating my birthday in Greece and I had a fantastic one! Just the four of us in the family, enjoying dinner together, sipping Raki… Aww, bliss.

This trip was also the perfect technology detox.

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5 Things I Learned on Vacation:

1. Privacy is a luxury
   Being in a foreign country, away from the people you usually see, is truly a gift. You don’t care what others think, what they say, or how they look at you. You stop worrying about opinions and simply live your own private life.

2. Rest is a must
   One of the main purposes of a vacation is rest like switching off that early-morning work alarm. There’s such pleasure in waking up naturally, letting your body decide when it’s ready. Long sleeps, cat naps, and zero guilt… it’s pure rejuvenation!

3. Digital detox is powerful
   Our brains age faster than we realize. Stress from work, social life, poor diet, and daily exposure to negativity can drain us. The digital world adds to that overload. Taking a break from social media nourishes the brain and frees us from the constant stream of online noise.

4. Family time is the best time
   Spending this vacation just with my family was priceless. It’s something I wouldn’t trade for anything. On any trip, family should come first always.

5. Eating local food deepens cultural understanding
   We always make it a point to try what the locals eat. It’s one of the best ways to explore a culture. The Greek diet is one of the finest in the Mediterranean with diverse, flavorful, and fresh. From seafood to meats, every bite was an experience.

6. Being in the nature like near the sea - is such a healing. It frees your mind of the negativities and like nature, it will put you back to focus. It is nurturing and has its healing magic. It puts you back into the right perspective to be just here - in the moment.

This trip left me feeling more present ready to take on the challenges of both work and my daily life at home. I returned rejuvenated, with a clearer vision of what I want to do next. It also gave me fresh inspiration for my art; in fact, I spent many moments doodling and painting, using Greece as my muse.

I now understand more deeply that privacy, especially digital privacy is such a gift. Disconnecting from the online world allows you to reconnect with what truly matters: the people and moments in front of you. I learned that you don’t have to chase the latest trends you see online; what’s truly important is being present in your own life.

And in that presence, you find space for clarity, gratitude, and inspiration. You notice the colors of the sunset, the sound of laughter at the dinner table, the taste of food made with love. You start living with intention, choosing experiences over algorithms, and real conversations over endless scrolling.

So take that much-needed vacation whether it’s somewhere far or just nearby. As long as it pulls you away from your usual routine. Step out, slow down, and savor the joy of simply being present.

until then...

much love,

xoAi