Embracing ‘island brain’ in Hawaii
How paddleboard yoga helped ease my mind from a family member’s death
Writer’s note: This post was repurposed on Substack’s now-defunct “We Need to Talk” blog series on January 13, 2020 after its removal from Shamontiel’s former Medium account.
As the former Vice President of Education for a Toastmasters group, I mingle with a little bit of everybody — from Dubai to Ireland to my own hometown in Chicago — who want to join this public-speaking club. One guest and I ended up going to brunch to talk more about the club and her future personal and professional goals.
Somehow, I ended up gushing over how much I have enjoyed going back and forth to Hawaii. She was a bit dumbfounded by how much I loved it there. According to her, after three weeks of being there, she couldn’t deal with “island brain.” I looked that term up on Urban Dictionary, and this was the definition:
Island brain: “The extreme level of not giving a f**k that prolonged exposure to tropical island paradise can cause.”
If I could get a membership card for island brain, I would. In 36 of my 38 years, I’d never been anywhere where everybody seemed to be in a good mood all of the time. It is my escape for relaxation and a bucket list item, too. Every five years, I go back.
ADVERTISEMENT ~ Amazon
As an Amazon affiliate, I earn a percentage from purchases with my referral links. I prioritize featuring intriguing products from small businesses, women-owned businesses and Black-owned businesses. All four of my Substack publications include a MINIMUM of one product sold by a VERIFIED Black-owned business.
My Trek to Maui Hawaii on November 11
When I turned 30 on 11/11/11, I wanted to go somewhere fun. I’d never get another 11/11/11. And 30 was the next “big deal” birthday (after “sweet 16” and “legally drinking liquor 21”). Maui was beautiful. I spent a lot of time swimming in the pool (and raced three teenage boys who swore they were going to dust me; never underestimate your opponent) and gawking at West Maui Mountains.
Recommended Read: “Memories of Lahaina Hawaii and steam locomotives ~ The Sugar Cane Train was my intro to Lahaina in Maui”
I got a pedicure, ate some incredible food and shopped a lot. I am sure I gained weight from eating their incredible homegrown macadamia nuts and chocolate, along with the insanely good coffee.
I never had a bucket list before. But during that trip to Lahaina and Kahului, I added all the Hawaiian islands to my new list. Every five years, I’d go back until I visited all the islands.