Finding Stillness in Bali: 5 Ways the Island Life Helps You Slow Down
Our story about finding stillness in Bali and applying it to our everyday lives – no matter where we are in the world.
You see and hear so many stories from people who have travelled to Bali saying “Bali is soul refreshing” or “Bali changed me” and we can say the same.
Our recent travels were our second trip to Bali and we rarely travel to a destination twice (unless it is Norway to see our nephews), because there are just SO many other countries on our travel bucket list.
Our first vacation to Bali was way too short – one week? Why didn’t anyone tell us that wasn’t long enough?
Our newly preferred vacation: Slow travel
As we have gotten older, we have learnt that slow travel is what we enjoy and it allows us to spend more time in a country and to be able to have down time as well. Every day being jam packed with activities on the itinerary, is not for us and that is 100% okay.
Of course, not everyone is the same. We are fortunate to work remotely which allows us to travel slower and be in a country for a longer period of time if we want to. Some people only get two weeks vacation at a set period of the year and when their employer decides.
When Julia was in the classroom, we could only travel during school holidays which left us with crowded destinations, peak travel times, and more expensive flights. Very much limited and we are super grateful that this is no longer the case.
What has Bali taught us?
From the moment you land, there is just a feeling that overcomes you. Everything feels softer, slower and lighter.
Yes, traffic in Bali is extremely chaotic, but there are other aspects that make us feel this way. Bali taught us that not everything is urgent, you are allowed to slow down, take time to switch off, not reply to messages, be in nature, plan your day intentionally, breathe deeper and appreciate being in the moment.
Something we often tend to forget when we are home and in our routine.
I think the longer you stay in Bali, the more you appreciate the little things in life, and we now understand why digital nomads make Bali their base – we don’t blame them.
Follow and connect with fellow digital nomads on social media. If you’d like to follow where we find the best coffee (we are fussy), follow us on @offtwowander on Instagram.
These are our 5 ways Bali helped us slow down and reset from the busyness of everyday life:
1. Reply to Messages When You are Ready
We are always surrounded by technology, messages from various platforms – Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, Emails, LinkedIn.
The MacBook, the iPad, the iPhone, the camera. Always on us or we are always on it.
One of our first lessons that Bali taught us, is urgency is self-imposed. Messages don’t have to be replied to as soon as they arrive. Messages can wait. You can allow yourself time to think about what you actually want and how you want to reply. Reply to messages when you are ready and it doesn’t have to be instantly.
Being surrounded by nature in Bali, we learnt to take in the sunrises and sunsets down by the beach. A quick walk and early morning ocean dip can 100% set the tone for your day.
We aren’t morning people and do like slower mornings, but nothing beats waking up before everyone is out and about.
It became our new norm while in Bali.
The time zone between Bali and South Africa has its pros and cons. Having late work calls was definitely challenging for us, but waking up early before South Africa was awake, was such a beautiful pro. It felt like we had so much time in our day before everything “started”.
Messages only came in around the afternoon from friends and family back home. We were able to have slower mornings without the constant notifications on various platforms.
For those feeling adventurous and have more time to explore South Africa and Africa, get some inspiration from our blogs below.
Perhaps considering a 5 day trip to the Victoria Falls, or a trip up South Africa’s West Coast to Langebaan? I am sure you have heard of Churchhaven and Kraal Baai, two spectacular beaches inside the West Coast National Park. For those who are time restricted, you can base yourself in Langebaan and do day trips from there.
2. Slow Mornings Make the Day Feel Lighter
Bali’s slow mornings were life changing!
Woke each other up, walked down to the beach and then headed to breakfast and coffee at our favourite restaurant in Nusa Lembongan, Bonzer Cafe.
Getting our 10k steps in so early in the morning, before our work day had even started, eating a wholesome delicious breakfast and sipping on the BEST coffee to ease into our day, changed everything for us.
Not having a self catering accommodation wasn’t ideal for us, since being on our health journey, but thinking about how it allowed us to start our day in the best way possible!
Instead of rolling out of bed and diving straight into our laptops, our slower mornings in Bali created a beautiful sense of emotional spaciousness.
We felt more grounded, less over stimulated and were able to own the day with whatever came our way.
Enjoying our slow morning in Bali by:
- Rolling out of bed without “getting done”
- Sarong, costume and flops and you are ready
- Walking 10k steps before breakfast
- Morning ocean swims
- Putting our toes in the sand
- Listening to the waves
- Watching the dogs on the beach (so many of them)
- Breath work on the beach
- Sunlight on our skin – getting our vitamin D intake
- Admiring the local fishermen
- The scuba divers preparing their boats for a morning in the ocean
- Eating wholesome and nourishing breakfast
- Sipping slowly on our coffee and enjoying every single sip
The island lifestyle reminded us very much that slowness should not be compared to laziness. It is nourishment for the soul and allows you to start your day feeling fresh and ready to tackle anything.
3. Rest Makes You More Productive
Summer vibes, relaxed culture, friendly locals, yoga and healing energies – Bali makes you feel that rest is part of being human.
Your body needs rest and down time. To constantly be buzzing and alert is not always good for your system.
Whether it is lying by the pool, a little afternoon nap, morning walks, toes in the sand. Do all of them or whatever makes you relax.
This is your reminder that taking moments to rest and recover, will only let you come back feeling rejuvenated and help get through any slump that you might have had if you didn’t take any breaks.
Rest can help you reset by:
- Boosting energy levels
- Regulating your nervous system
- Better outlook on complex situations
- Think clearer
- Make improved decisions
- Reduce stress levels
- Connect with your inner self
Making rest a priority in your life, will help you achieve any task with a fresh mindset and have more clarity, creativity and more balanced emotionally, mentally and spiritually.
Bali makes you feel all of the above and we have come back to South Africa incorporating this into our day to day routine.
Find out more about us
Read more about our travel stories and the reason behind why we started our travel blog.
4. You Are Allowed To Say No
Are you one of those people who say yes to plans months in advance and then on the day you really don’t feel like attending and would much prefer to lay low and have a “me day” at home?
Us too…
Having spent a longer period in Bali, we were able to pick and choose when we wanted to do certain activities.
- Prefer to lounge at the pool – that’s what we going to do today OR
- Prefer to be adventurous – that’s what we going to do today
It is entirely up to you to decide what you want to do and when you want to. Don’t let others influence you to do something based on their needs and wants.
Rather suggest another date when you are rested and refueled to participate in an activity where you know you might need to mentally prepare to be over stimulated.
Being in control of your decisions is super empowering and a lesson that we have learnt with time.
Learning to say no:
- You can say no when you don’t want to be around people
- You can say no when you are overstimulated
- You can say no when your body needs rest
- You can say no to social pressures
The best part of it all, you don’t have to justify your reasons. If you are saying no to close friends or family, they surely know you by now and will respect your boundaries that you put in place.
And no, you are not being boring… listen to your body.
Learning to say no teaches you that boundaries aren’t selfish, it is a sign of self respect and learning to read your body and its cues.
5. Being in Nature to Reset Your Nervous System
Finding quieter lush green areas in more secluded areas in Bali was so refreshing for us. We booked accommodation north of Canggu for a weekend away and it was one of our best moments in Bali.
For those who have travelled to Bali, Canggu is a hub for digital nomads and is quite a populated area.
We usually prefer the slow and quieter areas, which is why we were so mesmerized when we arrived at our weekend destination in the Angseri region.
Surrounded by luscious green grass, fruit and vegetables, rice terraces, mountains in the distance and quieter roads, it was so peaceful.
Listening to the rain fall while enjoying our luxurious tent was so breathtaking and was definitely a place to be in nature where we could reset our nervous systems.
Naturally, we are always pulled to the ocean, but being far out of the main areas in Bali was just what we needed and we have a new appreciation for mountainous travel destinations.
Being in nature helps:
- lower cortisol levels,
- calms your nervous systems,
- helps you enter a more regulated state
Nature is Bali’s love language, and it teaches you to slow down by simply being present in that moment.
Since being back at home, putting our feet on a piece of grass is part of our daily reset and one of the ways we stay grounded and reset our nervous system.
Finding stillness in Bali wasn’t something that we “found”. It was the energies that the island gives and how you feel them.
Through slower mornings, rest, being in nature, taking time to respond to messages, saying no to plans that don’t align with you are all reminders that down time is productive and being in Bali made us rediscover this.
We have taken these 5 tips on finding stillness in Bali and applied them to our everyday life back in South Africa and definitely remind ourselves of these. Just because we learnt them in Bali, doesn’t mean we cannot apply them wherever we are in the world.
FAQ
What is “finding stillness in Bali”?
It’s slowing down, being present, and reconnecting with yourself through peaceful energy and mindful lifestyle.
How does nature reset your nervous system?
Time in greenery or by the ocean reduces stress and promotes calm and balance.
How did Bali help us slow down?
Through slow mornings, restful breaks, nature, and intentional daily routines.
Can I practice this from anywhere?
Yes! Rest intentionally, limit screen time, spend time in nature, and set boundaries.
Why are slow mornings important?
They create space to feel grounded, enjoy nature, and start the day relaxed and mindful.
How can I unplug?
Reply to messages when ready, enjoy walks or swims, relax in quiet areas, and prioritize rest.
off two wander
Lauren and Julia are twin sisters from Cape Town, South Africa, sharing their travel adventures & showcasing what South Africa and other countries have to offer. They are passionate about travel, wildlife, conservation, being surrounded by nature & holistic well-being. They are both currently working fully remotely - Lauren is a travel guru - her previous industry, before moving over to digital marketing. Julia is a qualified teacher and is currently working for a digital agency too! Lauren does the travel logistics and web development, where Julia does the travel blogging & finances (if it wasn’t for Julia, Lauren would be on holiday all the time). Their travel blog covers anything from travel tips, guides & to do’s, wine farm spots & them visiting their favourite coffee shops (they are both creatures of habit, so you’ll find them obsessing over the good coffee cafes).
