I was stuck in a rut and feeling burnt out. Even when you're job is as exciting as being a food and travel writer, the banality and stress of everyday life can be taxing. So when Mazda invites me down to Palm Springs, California for a weekend getaway to test drive the new CX-70 hybrid SUV, I jump at the offer.
The trip starts with a first-class flight, which is already a life-changing experience. Fully stretched out in a roomy seat, enjoying prime rib and red wine for my in-flight meal is significantly more comfortable than the squished in, back-of-the-plane experience. There's no waiting for the trolly to slowly inch down the aisle — the service is speedy and constant. Every avid traveller should fly first-class at least once.
Usually, getting off a plane is accompanied by exhaustion, a stiff neck, cramped legs and a sour mood, but I feel the opposite. I'm rested, fed and ready to take on whatever Palm Springs and Mazda throws my way.
Unfortunately, that ends up being golf, a sport that I'm terrible at. During the covid golf craze, I discovered that I can't even hit the ball with the club, let alone get it into a hole. I swung and missed so many times, I thought I was playing baseball. So, saying that I'm not looking forward to this experience is an understatement.
We hit the driving range at the sprawling Indian Wells Golf Resort, a gorgeous green oasis in the middle of the desert that's home to two of the top courses in the U.S. My instructor tells me how he left the hustle of the big city behind in favour of a more leisurely lifestyle in Palm Springs, working at a golf course that services the rich and famous, spending most of his days outdoors enjoying the beautiful weather and doing what he loves. His passion is contagious, and his love for the desert resort city makes me look at it with fresh eyes. There certainly is a laidback atmosphere here that's a welcome reprieve from the rat race of downtown Toronto. No one seems to be rushing anywhere — even the wind is at a standstill.
He selects a suitably sized club for me while explaining the importance of using the right tool for the job (which was likely my first mistake on my last golf outing). After a few missed attempts and a lot of pointers, I'm finally hitting the ball. While I don't miraculously become a pro or unlock some secret hidden talent, I do make a few good connections and send the ball soaring. Most importantly, I'm having a good time.
It took a little patience, perseverance and my coach's relaxed, "don't worry about it" attitude, but I picked up a whole new sport in an afternoon. Soaking my aching muscles later that night in the hot springs at the luxurious Two Bunch Palms hotel, I wonder what other hobbies or passion projects would light my fire if I just gave myself the time and the right resources.
Early the next morning, starting the day with a sound bath session in Two Bunch Palms' gorgeous, yurt-like Yoga Dome is much more my speed. Lying on the ground, subsumed by the heavy vibrations of the large crystal bowls, I feel a sense of peace wash over me. And I realize that it's been far too long since I've taken time out of my busy schedule to reconnect with myself.
It's a thought that continues to percolate throughout the weekend. Melting under the touch of the masseuse at the Two Bunch Palms spa, I wonder why I always wait until I'm in pain to take myself for a massage — especially when it's covered by my health benefits. During a yoga session in the same glorious, cave-like dome, I remember that I love this calming and rejuvenating exercise, but I never do it, despite there being an infinite number of free videos on YouTube.
Sitting down to dinner with the other guests here for the same experience, the conversation quickly turns to passion projects, hobbies and dreams. Hearing about the struggles and the effort that other people are putting into themselves awakens something for me.
My golfing instructor didn't get his great life by chasing the nice weather or the relaxed vibes in Palm Springs; he made choices for himself that led to his happiness. And it isn't my busy schedule or the dreary Toronto weather that left me feeling burnt out; I've been neglecting myself. It's been a long time since I've done anything just for myself — and that has to change.
Driving through the desert in the spacious, comfortable Mazda CX-70 on the Palms to Pines Scenic Byway, my whole perspective shifts with the scenery. I had wondered about the route, and it's true to its name. Winding my way up into the mountains, the landscape slowly morphs from dry terrain sparsely dotted with plant life to the thick, wooded areas of an evergreen forest.
When I was handed the keys to the car, I wasn't given a demo or any instructions, just told to explore the car and experience the drive — no requirements and nowhere to go. I was just meant to enjoy the journey. And that's what I'll be doing from now on.
