My husband and I had actually booked this trip at The Blue Water Hotel and Spa months ago, sometime in July, just as a little getaway before the year got too busy. But as October arrived, and we entered the final stretch of the year, this trip naturally became a space for my reflection.
We headed down south, about 60 kilometers from home. Imagine this, the expressway stretched ahead, the skies were clear, and the air was soft. Even the ride felt like an invitation to slow down.
And when we arrived at our destination, the calm of the place set the tone immediately.
The Blue Water Hotel & Spa
Perhaps in my previous life, I was an architect or an interior designer. I just love unique arrangements and one such unique place is The Blue Water Hotel & Spa. One of its most striking aspects is its design. Built in 1997 by the world-renowned architect Geoffrey Bawa, the hotel is a masterclass in tropical modernism. It’s a style that seamlessly blends architecture with nature, creating spaces that feel open, airy, and intrinsically connected to their environment.
What makes tropical modernism so powerful is its focus on harmony rather than grandeur. At The Blue Water Hotel & Spa, you notice it in the way light filters through courtyards, the gentle integration of water features, and the careful placement of rooms and walkways to maximize views of palms, gardens, and the ocean beyond. It’s a style that encourages stillness, reflection, and awareness of the surroundings. It’s perfect for pausing and reconnecting with yourself.
Even decades after it was built, the hotel feels entirely contemporary. Bawa’s designs transcend trends because they’re rooted in human experience and the natural world. The spaces feel alive, yet calm, structured, yet fluid. It’s this balance that makes staying here not just a getaway, but an experience that subtly encourages mindfulness, reflection, and a deep appreciation for beauty in simplicity.
Walking through the corridors, lounging by the pool, or enjoying a quiet moment on the balcony, you can feel why Bawa’s work continues to be celebrated worldwide. It’s timeless in its relevance and endlessly inspiring.
If you’d like a closer look at The Blue Water Hotel and Spa, from the lush courtyards to the serene pool and cozy corners, I’ve shared a full video on my YouTube channel. It’s a little escape in itself — and you can see why this place was the perfect backdrop for reflection and gratitude.
[Watch the full video here → Snippets of Wonders on YouTube]
I was excited not just for the change of scenery, but for the opportunity to pause to acknowledge the year so far, the lessons learned, the goals I’ve moved closer to, and the quiet ways I’ve grown. October, after all, is more than just another month, it’s a gentle nudge to pause and look back before the year closes.
Here are a few things I’ve reflected on, little ways we can all make the most of the weeks ahead.
🍀Clear your mental space.
Before we think about new plans, it helps to declutter our thoughts. Maybe it’s journaling, organizing your desk, or spending a few hours away from screens, whatever helps you breathe a little easier.
A clear mind is where clarity begins.
🍀Revisit your goals gently.
Look back at what you wrote down earlier this year, but without judgment. Some goals may have shifted naturally, some may feel less important now, and that’s okay. You might be surprised at how much progress you’ve actually made. Maybe your goals evolved. Maybe you learned what truly matters. That’s still growth.
Give yourself permission to celebrate successes, adjust where necessary, and move forward with clarity and intention rather than stress.
🍀Create small rituals that calm you.
Sometimes, it’s the little, intentional actions that make the biggest difference in how we feel. These small rituals give structure to our days, gently reminding us to pause, breathe, and notice the present moment.
In my case, I’d probably do simple things like lighting a candle in the evening and watching the soft glow, or stretching in the morning, moving my body slowly, or noticing the aroma of my coffee, or enjoying the warmth and the stillness before the day begins.
🍀 Reinforce what’s already working.
Sometimes we focus so much on what’s missing or what we haven’t achieved that we forget to honor what is working. You don’t always need a reset. Sometimes, you just need to strengthen the good routines, relationships, or habits that are already serving you well. Instead of chasing entirely new goals, consider strengthening these existing foundations
The last quarter is the perfect time to nurture those.
🍀Give yourself something to look forward to.
Life feels more intentional when there’s a small beacon of joy ahead, something you can anticipate and savor. It doesn’t have to be extravagant; even simple pleasures can create meaningful momentum. Maybe it’s planning a quiet weekend getaway, scheduling a coffee date with a friend, or setting aside time to dive into a book you’ve been wanting to read.
When you have something to look forward to, it reminds you that life isn’t just about obligations and routines, it’s also about delight, curiosity, and creating experiences that nourish you.
🍀Reconnecting with what inspires you.
For me, being at The Blue Water Hotel, surrounded by Geoffrey Bawa’s thoughtful architecture, the natural beauty of Wadduwa, and the peaceful rhythm of the space, was a perfect opportunity to reconnect with what inspires me. The quiet pool, the swaying trees, the soft light filtering through the corridors, all of it reminded me to pause, notice, and feel creatively alive again.
🍀Be more grateful.
Gratitude turns reflection into joy. Even when not everything went as planned, take a moment to appreciate what did, the people who supported you, the moments that stretched you, the quiet wins that nobody saw but you.
For me, being at The Blue Water Hotel, reflecting on the first three quarters of 2025, made gratitude feel effortless. The architecture, the greenery, the gentle rhythm of the space — all of it reminded me to appreciate not just milestones, but the quiet, everyday moments that shape a meaningful life.
🍀Think about your legacy today.
Being at The Blue Water Hotel & Spa, surrounded by Geoffrey Bawa’s timeless design, brought the lesson of legacy to me.
Just as Bawa created spaces that continue to inspire and nurture those who visit them, we too have the opportunity to create our own living legacy. How we shape our days, the environment we cultivate around us, and the energy we bring to our relationships all ripple outward, long after individual moments have passed. The hotel reminds me that legacy is built not only in grand gestures, but in consistency, intention, and care, qualities that, like good design, stand the test of time.
I thought about how legacy isn’t something we leave behind one day. It’s how we live right now, how we treat people, how we show up, how we create meaning in our everyday choices.
Each moment of intention becomes part of that story.
Looking Ahead with Gratitude and Excitement
As I prepare to leave The Blue Water Hotel & Spa, I feel a deep sense of contentment. I’m genuinely happy with what has unfolded in 2025 so far…the lessons learned, the goals achieved, and the moments of quiet growth that often go unnoticed.
At the same time, I’m excited for 2026. The weeks ahead of this year still hold opportunities, and I plan to approach them with clarity, intention, and gratitude. This trip has left me feeling more grounded, centered, and confident in the direction I’m heading.
Sometimes, all it takes is a moment of pause to reconnect with ourselves and recognize that we’re already on the right path.
I leave this place carrying that calm awareness with me, ready to make the most of the rest of the year and embrace what comes next with intention, joy, and a mindful heart.
If you ever find yourself feeling rushed or uncertain, take a small pause…even for a day. You don’t need a new year to reflect, only a moment to remember how far you’ve come.
Here’s to finishing the year strong, grounded, and grateful. 💛
(We write our content in the hope of making you, our readers, feel a little more inspired in a time when you’re probably feeling low. We hope you feel a little lighter after visiting our site. Then, we know we’ve served our purpose.⭐)
🍀 Let’s Stay Connected
If this post resonated with you, let’s keep in touch. I share more on:
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Let’s connect. I’d love to learn about your journey too!
