Relentlessly pursuing what connects us.
One person, one moment at a time.

Tag: Mental Health

  • I Went Back to Ibiza

    I Went Back to Ibiza

    Approaching Ibiza on Val Gal (aka Valiant Lady), the warmth of the sun and the sea breeze. Spanning the horizon to take in the architecture, geography and where our adventure was about to take us to. The sun’s rays, the calm as fellow passengers disappeared to get ready for their night in Ibiza. An adventure is unforgettable when we can close our eyes and morph back to the moments, immersed in the sensation of the sight, sound, touch and smell. 

    Nick and I made the journey with this particular port having the greatest hesitations that we would enjoy our time. The thought of loud clubs, drinking, crowds, all things that we knew were not our scene and we’d not want to go back for. Disembarking the Val gal that evening we could feel the calm of Ibiza consume us. The vibrancy at night, the pockets of streets, lookouts of the water, the planes landing overhead and the buzz of people enjoying the most cherished time together building moments over a sangria, tapas, or a late night coffee. That first night we accepted how mistaken our perception of Ibiza was and how we were glad to be present in a jewel in the Mediterranean. 

    Three consecutive years continuing our Virgin Voyages with the overnight of Ibiza before that sobering feeling of returning back to Barcelona for the ultimate reminder of eagerly awaiting our return. Each trip brought forth new friendship, unforgettable memories and while many were passenger theory moments (Post: The Miles Shared), they carry on in our hearts becoming part of our DNA. Our first arrival into Ibiza was when the ship paused earlier in her arrival for a moment of silence to the late Queen Elizabeth II, how VV paid respect through the lights on the ship. Our second was unforgettable new connections, new shows, and stepping outside of our comfort zones. That year the Instagram post wasn’t about the destinations rather the unforgettable people that crossed our paths that year. Our final journey was most unforgettable, when my sister said yes to a gifted birthday trip to join Nick and I. Having taken her to London and Paris in 2014, showing her the world meant more to me than any trip I had taken for myself. That trip carried a heavy moment, a FaceTime call with a friend and colleague in hospice, 2 hours talking life, taking in the sunset, more to come from that thread when the time is right. Every summer, Ibiza kept calling us back.  

    Valiant Lady in the harbor, Ibiza — September 2022
    Bodega Can Maymo, Ibiza — 2024

    The hit song “I took a Pill in Ibiza”, the soundtrack for the journeys when we would open our suite door and take in the waves and sunset vibes. The new version redefining Posner released in March of this year as “I went back to Ibiza”. Twelve years later, Avicii’s gone, ten years sober and walking across the country with a focus back on love songs. The simplicity of the new version, how it evoked feeling deep inside me while being so calm. I shared the updated version with my sister a few weeks back and she was reminded of it when it randomly played while driving, she loved it and then remembered I had sent it over.


    “You know i just wanna live my life

    now i really wanna shine my light”

    Listen: YouTube | Spotify

    In 2025 we returned to the Mediterranean. Ibiza wasn’t on the itinerary — not by my choice. I longed for it. My last journey returning to Spain, I didn’t realize the weight of things back home that I had brought with me. In the moments of calm at sea, or the God Moments of a sunset, the weight settles in when others seek to tear you down. When I reflect on that week, it’s so hard to see beyond how heavy the weight was on me but now in looking back, how much was in my control and ultimately, God’s plan. 

    Close your eyes, take the leap, fill your body with warmth, surround yourself with people that make you want to be a better person and release those that attempt to tear you down. 

    Be humble, be grateful, be true to you.

  • Speechless

    Speechless

    I recently concluded a career conversation and called my partner to explain the emotion it brought to me. It was a feeling I had not expected to takeaway yet here I was with tears forming in my eyes. These were not tears of pain rather they were a release of pent up feeling of peace to be my authentic self in the conversation. I brought forth the energy I bring but even more, I shared openly about my life outside of work or what you see on the resume. My 2019 pursuit of Yoga certification to help bring balance to my mind, peace through meditation and challenge myself to a deeper understanding of myself. The high self vulnerability over the 10 weekends to accumulate the 200 hours with strangers being a big personal challenge to overcome as part of that self growth. 

    The story we tell ourselves versus the story we tell others. The undeniable reality that is below our perception that constantly forms how we interact with others as we cross paths every day. Similar to how I felt in the yoga class, the question of letting go of what doesn’t serve me and the feeling of calm it brought. In this career conversation, I shared my journey beyond the paper, beyond the script, and allowed space for the person to get to know me. My amazing love of Beagles with Dr Bailey in the family, my long term relationship with my partner and my immense pride in his self growth all came through.

    How this brought about the emotion to me, it was the feeling of psychological safety in a career driven discussion that afforded me this glimpse to share about who I am. I’ve struggled to feel seen, the loss of my mother to mental illness as she struggled to be heard, all which shaped my life course. For the first time in my career, I mentioned my partner by name in an early career conversation versus “they/them” . The person on the other end afforded the safe space and showed the genuine desire to know me, all of me. Openly acknowledging the rock in my life hit me hard, obscured for so long due to family and society, prioritizing the comfort of others over my authentic self. 

    I reflect back with admiration to people that shaped my life, who saw me and for those who felt the impact of the Human Element in their lives. I look forward to sharing more of the threads of humans and milestones that impacted the tapestry of my life. 

    Be humble, be grateful, be true to you.