What Día de los Muertos Can Teach Us About Slowing Down
Every year on November 1 and 2, families across Mexico celebrate Día de los Muertos, the Day of the Dead.
Despite the name, it isn’t a somber holiday. It’s a celebration of life and memory, when families welcome the spirits of loved ones home with food, music, stories and plenty of color. It's also my birthday :)
The Tradition
At the heart of the holiday is the ofrenda, an altar decorated with photos of loved ones, bright orange marigolds, candles, sugar skulls, pan de muerto and the favorite foods of those being remembered. Families often gather at cemeteries to decorate graves, share meals and tell stories late into the night.
What It Teaches Us
Make time to remember. Most of us rush past memory and grief. Día de los Muertos sets aside dedicated time to pause and honor the people who shaped us, with warmth and even joy.
Gratitude can be colorful. Remembering someone can look like their favorite song, their go-to snack or a story that still makes you laugh.
Connection is the point. The holiday brings generations, families and communities together around food and stories. That kind of gathering feels more meaningful than ever.
Borrow the Spirit This Weekend
Look through old photos. Cook a recipe that reminds you of someone. Share a story. Light a candle. Small, intentional moments are a way of slowing down and saying, you still matter to me.
A Fun Connection to Baja
The town of Todos Santos, which our guests visit during our retreat, means “All Saints,” a name tied to this same season of remembrance.
During Baja Soul Sanctuary, our all ladies retreat at Yandara, we spend a few unhurried hours exploring this colorful Pueblo Mágico. The rest of the week is about slowing down, too: daily yoga and breathwork, shared meals and ocean sunsets.
Baja Soul Sanctuary: A Mindful Women’s Retreat
March 28 – April 3, 2027
Yandara, Baja California Sur, Mexico
$3,900 USD · Small group, max 17 guests
-Sally with Waypoint
Comments