My Life Expectations

Author: Sara Serenella Cattani – Dancer & Explorer

What were my life expectations when I landed into this wild and lush unknown? “Something else.” On the eve of my departure, I look back at these last four and a half years with a heart full of gratitude. Costa Rica has grown under my skin, and I’ll carry it with me for the rest of my life.

The entrepreneurial venture with Natalia and Sandra to open El Mercado had a significant impact on the community. Through it, I also discovered a passion for baking bread.

My journey with Jungle Arts and Dance with my soul sister Kelly and, later on, Sharon, brought me unspeakable joy and inspiration.

Meeting Lura at Bienestar Yoga Shala was THE gift; she quickly became my teacher, my mentor, and one of my dearest friends who guided me into integrating yoga as a part of my life. Last but not least, working for a brief moment with Ema and Melanie at Emana. What a joy, a sense of purpose, and great inspiration for my future life in Italy!

All around, I feel like I received far beyond my wildest expectations. Within the whole experience, I discovered my connection with nature, people, and ultimately within myself.

Living in a community such as Costa Ballena taught me how important it is to find a place where you belong. Here like-minded people come together; the vibe makes you feel like a human being, and thanks to my tribe, even through my darkest days, I never felt alone.

I had an unspoken craving for sisterhood, which manifested into the most amazing woman I’ve ever met and for whom I feel the deepest gratitude.

I am grateful for the great, brave men I met connected to their souls, doing their inner work with an open heart.

The intense energy here forced me to look inside myself like never before.

It helped me confront “stuff” I didn’t know I had accumulated. At first, I experienced a huge cultural shock, which translated into resistance against what I perceived as too long, too slow, or illogical nonsense. I had come searching for “something else” without being ready to embrace change, and the outside was mirroring what was awaiting to happen inside of me.

Challenges were numerous, yet being here was always my choice; I was suffering from resisting what I had come to experience: “something else”.

Once I surrendered to the true essence of the “pura vida”, including the inevitability of one hour in line at the bank at best, I started to change. Outside and within. Growth started and, with that, an incredible sense of freedom came. I now know I needed all of this to shed those layers that were no longer serving me. The simplicity and yet abundance of life in the jungle helped me create a new paradigm of what is truly needed for me.

The answer is: much less than I thought, much less of the things I deemed indispensable, and much less overthinking, drama and fear. Living here helped me declutter my mind, make space for my soul to shine, shedding light on what is truly important. I feel that this space is full of new creative energy, courage, honesty, and love. The living force I found within my heart is the greatest present I could give myself.

This community and the wonderful people I have the privilege to call friends, sisters, and brothers are the greatest gifts that life could give me. You will be missed, dear ones. Thank you.

Be seeing you, and I love you.

Sara