Under Grumpa's Hat

It’s a bit amusing, really. I’m sitting here by my pool in Costa Rica, soaking in humidity like it’s a high-priced skin treatment, sipping something fruity and watching the palm trees sway as if they get paid by the hour to relax. Meanwhile, somewhere in Canada, someone is scraping ice off their windshield while their breath forms tiny clouds of regret. Wait! This is not to rub it in. Stay with me.

You see, the question you raised is real and important. How do you take Pura Vida, this calm, grounded, quietly joyful way of living, and import it into a place where winter sometimes feels like it’s personally offended by your existence? How does someone who has never lived here absorb the essence of this lifestyle?

One thing to get straight right away: Pura Vida isn’t a slogan. It’s not a logo printed on a souvenir mug. It’s a way of moving through life that blends gratitude, presence, humour and resilience. And while Costa Rica wears it beautifully, it’s fully portable. You can carry it anywhere, or parts of it anyway, like a pocket-sized compass pointing you toward the simple things that make life richer.

Below is your daily happiness blueprint. Consider it a starter kit for embracing Pura Vida wherever you live, with real examples of how it plays out here and how you can adapt it anywhere else.

Tip 1: Borrow the Slow Mornings

In Costa Rica, mornings start early and gently. People get up early and ease into the day instead of charging into it like a bull from the wrong festival. Back home, winter mornings are less gentle and more “why is the air trying to hurt me”, but you can still borrow the mindset. Take a few minutes before diving into screens or stress. Sip your coffee without multitasking. Look out the window and appreciate the simple fact that you’re here for another day. The world can wait five minutes.

Tip 2: Make Your Hellos Mean Something

Here, Pura Vida isn’t just a phrase. It’s a greeting, a smile, a tiny invitation to slow down. It’s warm, without being overly syrupy.

In your own life, smile. Greet people with that same spirit. A neighbour. A cashier. A co-worker who looks like they’ve been wrestling spreadsheets since 1998. Make the greeting human, not transactional. These tiny exchanges add texture to your day, and you’ll be surprised how often people soften in response.

Tip 3: Focus on Presence, Not Productivity

Costa Rica has perfected the art of not letting stress run the entire show. Life moves, people work, things happen, but stress doesn’t get to be the boss. The goal isn’t to do less; it’s to stop measuring your worth by your output.

Try giving yourself permission to be present. Take your full lunch break. Go for a short walk, even in cold weather. Let yourself taste your food instead of inhaling it between tasks. When you choose presence over pressure, life feels less like a race and more like a rhythm.

Tip 4: Laugh at the Annoying Stuff

One of the most charming things about Costa Rica is how people treat life’s little screwups. The bus is late? Pura Vida. Your plans change at the last minute? Pura Vida. You drop your keys in the only puddle within a ten kilometre radius? Well… still Pura Vida, but with a slightly deeper sigh.

Try that attitude where you are. When the weather sucks, or traffic is miserable, or life throws a minor curveball, respond with humour. Have a laugh at the absurdity. Crank up the radio to a song you love. It’s not denial. It’s choosing not to let the small stuff take up prime mental real estate.

Tip 5: Build Your Micro-Community

Costa Ricans value connection. People linger longer, talk more, and actually listen. Not in a forced “let’s bond” way, but naturally.

Wherever you live, build your own version of that. Host a potluck. Start a weekly coffee ritual. Chat with the neighbour you usually wave at from a distance. Happiness grows when shared, even if the circle is small.

Tip 6: Show Gratitude Out Loud

Gratitude is second nature here. People acknowledge what’s good, even when life gets messy. It keeps things grounded.

Make a habit of saying thank you with meaning. Appreciate the little things around you. Celebrate the comforts you might ignore. Gratitude isn’t cheesy. It’s practical. It reminds your brain that not everything is on fire.

Tip 7: Honour Nature, Even in Cold Places

Costa Rica makes this easy. With rainforests, beaches and mountains, nature is part of daily life. But even in colder climates, nature is still there, just wearing a different outfit. Walk through fresh snow. Listen to the winter wind. Admire the stubborn birds that refuse to migrate. Nature grounds you, even when it’s frozen. Here, I miss going for a walk when the slow, heavy snow is falling, when trees are covered in the beautiful white stuff.

Here’s the truth: Pura Vida doesn’t belong to Costa Rica alone. It’s a mindset that anyone, anywhere, can choose. It’s not about sun or sand. It’s about presence, connection, humour and gratitude. Yes, it’s easier here as it serves a constant reminder.

But you build your happiness blueprint through small, repeated choices. You practise it. You grow it. You adjust it. And if you can find moments of calm, joy or humour in the middle of a Canadian winter, then congratulations. You’ve already mastered the art of living a purer life than most.

Your happiness isn’t tied to where you are. It’s tied to how you show up each day. And that, at its core, is the real Pura Vida.