Reflections and learnings from a decade of coming to Bali
Bali, Flow States & the Wild Synchronicity of Saying Yes
I’m writing this from a bright wooden desk inside a coworking space in Ubud, Bali. Outside, scooters hum by, roosters yell for reasons unknown, and the jungle somehow feels like it’s breathing with me.
It’s one of those pinch-me, is-this-really-my-life? moments—the kind people gleefully post on social media with captions like, “Follow your dreams!”
But honestly? It really is incredible to sit here doing work I love, in a place that has shaped so much of who I’ve become. And it didn’t happen overnight. Here’s what I’ve learned over a decade of following the breadcrumbs that first led me to Bali.
The Synchronicities That Started It All
When Bali first entered my awareness, I didn’t even know where it was on a map. I didn’t know its culture, its people, or anyone who had been here. It was just a whisper.
Then the universe threw three perfect signs my way:
A Bali patch on a stranger’s backpack in a New York City subway
A random NatGeo episode about the island
And a woman after one of my classes in the Hamptons who said, “If you ever want to do a retreat in Bali, I have the perfect place.”
Message received.
A Decade of Transformation & Flow States
I first came in 2014 and instantly felt like Bali flipped a switch in me. Every trip since has launched me into major flow:
I decided to move to California while in Bali.
I decided to start my coaching practice while in Bali.
And on this most recent trip, I sold a record number of retreat spots while leading a retreat here.
It’s like being in Bali pours gasoline on all my deepest desires. The clarity gets clearer. The manifestation powers? 10x.
But Bali isn’t only magic—it’s also messy and humbling. Scooters can feel like real-life Mario Kart but with real consequences. Your stomach can become a wild experiment. You’re sweaty always. And Ubud traffic these days? Spicy.
I once imagined living here full-time. Now, twice a year feels like the sweet spot.
A Retreat That Reflected Who I’ve Become
This last retreat was intentionally intimate. I brought a small group through the practices, teachings, places, sounds, and experiences that have shaped me over the years.
We blended:
breathwork
yoga
ecstatic dance
river rafting
waterfall adventures
early bedtimes (mostly)
…with crude jokes, movie quotes, indulgent meals, and endless laughter.
This group was a reflection of where I am right now—curious, playful, adventurous, grounded, still learning. They were perfect. Truly. They met the moment I had envisioned long before landing here.
The Kindness of Bali’s People
Every time I return, I’m reminded why this land is so special. The Balinese people radiate presence and warmth in a way that feels woven into their DNA.
Huge smiles. Genuine hospitality. A feeling like you’re adopted into their village the moment you step foot in it.
We participated in local ceremonies, zipped around on scooters, and ate our bodyweight in rice and noodles. We also talked a lot about the impact of Western influence—good, complicated, and everything in between.
Tourism accounts for 80% of their economy. They’re grateful for us. And yet… paying $18 for a massage sometimes feels like you’re getting away with a crime.
It’s a curious, delicate ecosystem of culture, commerce, and change. There’s now a Starbucks in Ubud. Locals text while riding scooters. But the essence? The kindness? Still unmatched. It’s a testament to how when belief systems and reverence for community and something greater than yourself is anchored deeply enough, it doesn’t matter what challenges come up.
Returning Kindness With Kindness
As a group, we made it a point to meet the Balinese warmth with:
generosity
gratitude
respect
presence
There are global systems we can’t control, but we can choose how we show up inside them. We can argue with the world… or learn to flow with it while staying anchored to who we want to be. I was so proud of how this group did the latter with such ease and grace.
The Privilege & Magic of Being Here
It’s not lost on me what a privilege it is to come here as often as I do. My Irish-American upbringing looked nothing like this world of Hindu temples, yoga, breathwork, and smoothie bowls. And yet—here I am. Again and again.
And the fact that so many others have said yes to joining me here, despite the distance and travel challenges, tells me that original synchronicity and frequency of joy and transformation is still alive, strong and resonating.
How to Build a Life You’re Proud Of
Sitting here, living a dream I doubted countless times was possible, I want to share something honestly:
This hasn’t been easy.
There were years of uncertainty, doubt, and fear. Times I wondered if I was delusional. Times I didn’t know if I’d “make it.”
But if you want to create a dream life—or even a few dream moments—here’s what I’ve learned:
Find what you love and do it a lot.
Do it authentically, without needing praise, money, or validation.
If you don’t know what you love, do less of what drains you and create space for intuition and creativity to surface.
Find practices, people, places, and experiences that bring more of that out in you.
Surround yourself with people who inspire you to be more you.
Life is a collage of contradictions—work and play, grounded and wild, loud and quiet, disciplined and spontaneous. There is no formula. No guru has your blueprint.
Only you know what feels aligned.
Only you know what feels true.
Only you know the life you’re trying to build.
You don’t have to know how it will all look…
But trusting it will come together?
That part helps more than anything.
Spend time to be with your thoughts and manage how they come up, how they affect you and how you decide to indulge them. Don’t be afraid of taking risks or what others might think. Your dream life might just be on the other side of that.