Hawaiian Roller Coaster: What My Month on the Islands Taught Me

In November of 2025, I left my 9-5 behind—a decision I did not make on a whim. It came after months of back and forth about what the right choice was (much to the annoyance of my close friends.) Thanks, y’all.

For a long time, I had been feeling like a leap was coming. A break was needed. My soul craved rest. I had spent so much of my life in chaos, survival mode, and identity-crisis that I wasn’t sure who I really was or what I truly wanted anymore. It wasn’t that I hated my job—although it wasn’t without its headaches—I just needed time for myself to recharge.

2025 had been a year of recalibration for me. After years of healing and digging myself out of depression and survival mode, I was not the same person I had been in the years before. I needed to step away from my old life and figure out what my next move would be.

But, where would I go?

In true Virgo fashion, I overthought all of the possibilities. Nothing new there. Luckily, my cousin had recently moved to Oahu. So, I packed my bags and set out for a month on the islands.

Arriving in Hawai’i took my breath away. I have no other way to describe it. I had no idea what I was in for, but I was open to whatever came my way.

My first day on the island ended with a sunset on the beach—one of the most beautiful I have ever seen. This sunset seemingly welcomed me to the islands and told me I could leave everything else behind.

I won’t go into every detail of what I experienced on the island—we’d be here forever. Nobody has time for that. So, I’ll just give you the highlights reel.

There’s something about the ocean that always resets my nervous system. I always feel at home near the water—which is interesting considering I hated the beach growing up. As an adult, this is not the case. I will gladly sit peacefully by the water for as long as I can before I start turning into an overcooked lobster. Hawai’i’s beaches were some of the most beautiful I have ever experienced. My favorite: Punalu’u—a beautiful black sand beach on the Big Island.

The sand was warm—almost hot. I could feel the energy pulsing through my feet as they trudged through the heated grains. Looking around, beachgoers weren’t the only ones lounging on the hot sand… the sea turtles had come to bask. Getting to see green sea turtles in the wild has been on my bucket list forever. This was literally a dream come true. My cousin and I decided to go snorkeling, so not only did I get to see them, I got to swim with them. Cries

On the same day we went snorkeling with the turtles, we were also headed to a night swim with manta rays—another bucket list item that turned out to be even more magical than originally thought. Maybe I should have been a marine biologist?

Other highlights? Watching 20+ ft. waves at the North Shore, hiking into the crated of Kilauea, driving up to the top of Mauna Kea to watch the sunset and stargaze, hiking the Mānoa Falls trail, ringing the bell at Byodo-In Temple, and the food. . . so much food. I’d give anything for an Ube ice cream from Dave’s right now. Wonder if they deliver. . .

My time on the islands would eventually come to an end, but not without changing me forever. I know it sounds cheesy—and in someways life sort of is—but it altered my chemistry. I felt like the gods and goddesses of the islands accepted me to their beautiful islands—which was cemented when a bird flying overhead dropped a gift on my shoulder.

There was one particular moment that really hit me emotionally—touring the palace of Queen Liliuokalani. I couldn’t help but be overcome with emotion at hearing her story and how her love for her people was used against her resulting in Hawai’i being ultimately taken over by the United States—something we have quite the history of doing. Despite this history, the Hawaiian people continue to be strong, proud, and loving—as long as you treat their island respectfully. Thank you to the locals for making this “howlie” feel at home.

In my month on the islands, I learned so much about gratitude and letting go, being present and okay with where I am currently, and knowing that my story is just beginning.

Many times I get lost in the idea of “what’s next” that I forget to be present in the moment. I think a lot of us do. Hawai’i—in all its splendor—forced me to take it all in without getting lost in the future. How can you not when you’re surrounded by nature, good vibes, and amazing food. (Have I mentioned the food?)

One thing that I want to point out is that Island time is absolutely a thing. Time moved differently on the island—especially comparatively to my time in New York City and D.C. I literally found myself exploring for what felt like hours only to find that 45 mins had passed—a reminder that it’s okay to slow down from time to time.

Hawai’i was like the epilogue on the first 35 years of my life—years I call the prequel to the main event just getting started.

I’ll never forget my time on the islands. And for that, I am extremely grateful.