A Miramar Beach, Florida Trip That Taught Energy Boundaries: Ocean Grounding for Overwhelmed Empaths

The loudest rooms are the ones that teach you the cleanest boundaries. After landing near Miramar Beach in Destin, Florida, I felt that familiar overwhelm hit fast: crowds, noise, rushing emotions, and that sensation of carrying more than my share. Then I paused, breathed, and remembered something that changed the entire trip: I’m a visitor in this world, and the energy around me isn’t automatically mine to hold. 

From a crystal shop that felt like an energetic activation to a meal that tasted like pure nourishment, the week kept offering small reminders of what real healing looks like when you’re not bypassing your feelings. The beach brought the biggest lesson. Watching my youngest walk straight into the ocean lit up my mama fear and then melted it into awe. Her joy was a masterclass in bravery, presence, and nervous system regulation, and it made me reflect on the moments we hesitate even when our soul is asking for renewal. 

We also talk about community care in everyday life, including a simple act of giving away extra groceries instead of wasting them. That moment turned into a truth I want to live by: community is how we survive, physically, mentally, and emotionally. The story closes with an ocean-inspired grounding meditation, inviting cleansing light, gentle Reiki energy, and a return to balance you can carry into the rest of your day. 

If you felt seen by this, subscribe to Sacred Soul Sisters, share the episode with a friend who’s been holding it all together, and leave a review so this healing ripple reaches more hearts.

Transcript

Season Two Welcome And Purpose

SPEAKER_00 0:02

Hello, welcome to season two of the Sacred Soul Sisters Podcast. Oh my goodness, we are in 2026 and I have never been more ready for this year. Oh my gosh, the year of the fire horse. Well, welcome before we get too far ahead. Welcome to the Sacred Soul Sisters Podcast, a sacred space created for awesome souls who have spent years caring, giving, leading, and holding it all together, and are now feeling the quiet call to return to themselves. However, that call may be just getting a little louder this year. I'm Justina. I'm a Reiki master teacher, healer, nurse for over 20 years, transformational speaker, retreat leader, uh workshop leader, and this podcast is an invitation to you to allow your inner soul to slow down, soften, receive, and remember who you are beneath those roles and responsibilities and expectations that you've been carrying, but also to ignite the fire within you, to remind you how awesome you are. I'm so happy you're here. So here we talk about real healing, not the bypassing kind, but the kind that meets you exactly where you are. We explore energy, spirituality, emotional release, nervous system regulation, divine support, and what it truly means to live in alignment with your soul while navigating this crazy real life, right? So you'll hear heartfelt conversations, intuitive teachings, gentle practices, and soul-led interviews. They're all designed to help you clear energetic blocks, reconnect with your inner wisdom, and reclaim your vitality without guilt or burnout, right? Like we are done. We are done messing around. I am so fired up about this year of 2026, and I cannot wait to hang with you this year. So thank you so much for being here. This is the place where you don't have to have it all figured out, but it is the place where your strength is remembered, your light is reawakened. And if this resonates with you, I would love for you to follow the show. Please leave a review. It helps the message reach so many more individuals that need it at this time. You can also visit my website at angelrekyjourney.com, scroll to the bottom, sign up for the newsletter to receive soulful updates, upcoming offers, gentle reminders that you are never alone in this path. Come connect with me on Instagram at Angel Reiki Journey and join the conversation. Or you can find me on LinkedIn where I share reflections, teachings, and ways to bring this work into your life and leadership. You are never meant to lose this alone. You belong here. And I'm so glad you are here. So take a breath and welcome to the Sacred Soul Sisters podcast. Disclaimer,

Medical And Mental Health Disclaimer

SPEAKER_00 3:01

you should always check in with your physician, your psychiatrist, your counselor, or anyone else assisting in your care prior to deciding that you would like to take any of the recommendations, the suggestions, and our thoughts on any of the subjects that we discuss in the podcast. Thank you so much.

Arriving With Breath And Intention

SPEAKER_00 3:22

Hello, beautiful souls. Welcome back to the Sacred Soul Sisters podcast, where we gather together heart to heart, breath to breath, remembering that none of us are ever truly walking this path alone. So wherever you are right now, maybe you're driving in your car, maybe you're folding laundry, maybe you're sitting quietly with a nice cup of tea or coffee, just take a moment with me, take a slow deep breath in and let it go. Feel your shoulders soften, feel your heart open just a little, because this space, this moment is for you. This podcast has always been about coming back to the sacred parts of ourselves, the parts of us that remember our connection to each other, to the earth, and to the divine intelligence that moves through all things. And today I want to share a story, a reflection from a recent trip my daughters and I took to Myanmar Beach and Dustin, Florida, and some of the quiet lessons that revealed themselves along the way. You know how sometimes life pulls you somewhere, not just for rest, but for remembrance, for grounding, for recalibration, for those little soul whispers that say, Hey, slow down, breathe, pay attention. Well, the ocean and the mountains have always carried that energy for me. And the ocean, the rhythm of the waves, the salt in the air, the you know, every now and then a sand pebble smacking you in the face or in a tooth. The way the horizon reminds us how vast and mysterious life truly is. And on this trip, between the bustling energy of travelers, the bravery of my youngest standing in the ocean, unexpected moments of kindness and the quiet wisdom of simply being present. There were so many little reminders about energy, humanity, and the beautiful ways we're all connected. So today I invite you to settle in with me. Imagine the sound of the waves in the background. Feel the warmth of the sun on your skin. And let's take a little journey together. So, some reflections on my recent trip with my daughters to Mirmar Beach in Dustin, Florida. That was the address of the Airbnb that we stayed at, but we also spent most of the time at uh South Walton Beach, and it was absolutely beautiful. Oh my gosh. So, as usual, there's some little soul lessons that revealed themselves along the way.

Destin Overwhelm And Energy Awareness

SPEAKER_00 6:12

When we first arrived to Destin, I have to be honest, I was pretty taken aback by the intensity of the energy. There were so many people packed into such a small area. And actually, what looking back, what I thought was so many people that hadn't even arrived compared to the amount of people that arrived as we were heading out of Destin. There were so many emotions moving all at once. You could feel excitement from travelers who had just arrived, and a little nervousness from people trying to find their way. Families hustling to get from one place to another. Lots of young energy too. Lots of, I'm not exactly sure where I'm going energy. I don't really know for sure if I want to do this tonight. I don't really know if I want to do that. There were all these little hints of family uh irritation with each other on those that had already been there for quite some time. And just a lot, a lot, a lot of energy, which felt kind of compact in an area not necessarily bad or good, you know? It was just a fascinating swirl of humanity. And my first instinct, if I'm being completely honest, was I need to get away from this energy as soon as possible. It felt very overwhelming for a few minutes. Like honestly, like I was like, where can I go find a corner to like crawl in and and everything be quiet and okay? Between the sounds of sirens in the background, of loud music playing, of cars zooming by us and all these kinds of things. But then I paused and I just sat in my breath for a few moments, and I reminded myself of something really important. I'm simply a visitor in this world. Right? I'm just having a human experience. All of this energy that I'm referring to moving around me isn't mine. I don't have to carry it. Hello

Reiki Master Course Announcement

SPEAKER_00 8:35

friends. I wanted to jump on real quick and tell you about the Reiki master course that is coming April 17th, April 18th, and April 19th. That is in person from 8 30 a.m. to 5 30 p.m. That is a Friday, Saturday, Sunday in Highland at the Balance Wellness Studio. I am so excited for this. You guys, if you are ready for some serious healing, some serious activations, this is for you. The prerequisites are you have to be certified level one and certified level two Sui Holy Fire, uh, or at least one of those versions uh in order to sign up for the Reiki Master course. And uh you will go on my website on angelreikijourney.com, you'll scroll down to services, you'll find the Suey Holy Fire Reiki Master course, click on that, it will just show April 17th. Uh, that's just how the site is set up. So you'll just click on that and um and register for that. If you need to do a payment plan or anything, please reach out to me via email and we can set something up. It would just have to be paid prior to the class. And then registration actually stops on April 6th. So if uh you have not registered by April 6th, I absolutely cannot add you in. Uh, there's a lot of different moving parts that go into this. So uh yeah, I'm so excited, you guys. This is gonna be amazing. Also, make sure you sign up for the newsletter uh and watch me on Instagram because there is some cool workshops coming up that I would love for you to be a part of. And there will be some retreats, uh, some different things going on too. So all kinds of exciting things. The year of the fire horse is going crazy. Buckle up. Okay, everyone. I love you so much and have an awesome rest of your day. And let's get back to the episode.

Stop Carrying What Is Not Yours

SPEAKER_00 10:37

And when I took that moment to check in with my own energy, when I allowed myself to breathe and calm my nervous system, everything softened. Thank God, really. Because it was a lot. But it was a beautiful reminder to stay present and to remember that we don't have to carry the emotions of every room that we walk into. I'm gonna say that again. We don't have to carry the emotions of every room we walk into or every town we drive into. Throughout the trip, there were little downloads, little reflections, little moments that felt almost sacred.

Crystal Shop Activation And Connection

SPEAKER_00 11:17

One place we visited was a beautiful crystal shop called Deep Sea Gypsy. The energy inside this space was incredible. It's run by a mother and daughter. And the love and grounding they bring into that space is just palpable. There was this earthy, sacred feeling there, almost like whispers of shamanic energy moving through the room. You could feel the intention and the crystals, the care in the space. And it felt like a little energetic activation, just stepping inside. There were messages that started channeling through me for the daughter, and and all of this excitement started to brew inside me about meeting the mother. She wasn't there at the time, but I actually had spoken to her on the phone a little bit before. And I am definitely trying to get them to be guests on the podcast because they're unbelievable. The shop is incredible. They also have an online store that they can ship all over the world. They're just magical people, and really stepping into who they are, and I would say fully embodying who they are is probably a better way to put it. Another

A Nourishing Meal And Simple Joy

SPEAKER_00 12:44

highlight was this incredible restaurant. You guys, oh my gosh. It was called Jasmine Thai, and I think that address was destined. It was oh my gosh. It was so good. So good. My older daughter actually found the place for us, and it ended up being such a beautiful experience. The staff was so wonderful. The food, oh my gosh, the fresh rolls, the peta, everything tasted so vibrant and nourishing. Now, we do love Thai food, but maybe not the super spicy kind. So maybe we're not true Thai purists, but it was delicious, and we were all smiling the entire meal. But of course, the beach was really where even more magic happened.

A Child’s Bravery In The Ocean

SPEAKER_00 13:36

While there were energetic activations that felt like were taking place inside that crystal shop, which I am sure there are several that take place there on a weekly basis. There was also magic happening in the water. We spent as much time as we could at the beach, and I have to say, my youngest daughter taught me something really powerful about bravery during that time. The first night we went down to the water, she walked right into the ocean. And my mama heart, oh my goodness, it was terrified. She's still young. She's under 10, and here she is just stepping into this massive ocean where there are no borders. I cannot see. Like in the pool, like you can see where the outline is. There's no outline. In the ocean, I cannot see the end of it. I cannot guarantee that nothing happens to her while she's in the water, that a jellyfish doesn't go by and sting her leg, that a shark doesn't come for that matter, that a wave doesn't knock her over and a current take her down. I was I was starting to panic. However, she was just living her absolute best life. She would lean back, look up at the sky, take these big deep exhales, and then every time a wave rolled in, the w she would jump right into it and write it like she had some invisible surfboard under her. It was so magical to watch. She's so brave. And in a way, I think she trained me that first night. Because the next day we returned to the ocean, I felt much calmer. Of course, I still kept her close, still kept her within my line of sight, but I was able to relax in the moment and enjoy watching her experience the water. The smile on her face non-stop looked as if it was going to just bust. I mean, just bust off of her body. She was so happy. So happy. She told me, she said, you know, I we don't have to go to a store, Mom. We don't even have to eat. If we just stay here this whole time, this will be the best vacation ever. Talk about being in the moment. It was beautiful. It was beautiful to watch her just experience the water. Now, I will say this honestly, the water was freaking cold. Cold. Like cold to the point that her lips would get blue once in a while, and I'd make her come and let me wrap her up and get me soaking wet, but get her warm right away. It's March in Florida, so while the air was beautiful, warm enough for shorts and short sleeves, that ocean water it had a bite to it, and I stood there letting the water run over my feet and ankles, letting the sand settle around my toes. It felt wonderful, but I just couldn't quite convince my body to walk all the way in. And I have to admit it, there is a small part of me that regrets that. Because several years ago, I feel like I would have walked right into that cold water without even thinking twice. That I would have embraced that moment, that present moment to its fullest. Because I knew just within a couple days that I wouldn't have that opportunity. Yeah. So instead I stood there, allowing the waves to brush against me, letting the salt water clear my energy, letting the sound of the ocean wash through my nervous system. And that honestly that alone was very healing. There's truly something about the ocean that purifies the soul. The rhythm of the waves, the salt and the air, the endless horizon. It really resets something deep inside of us. When it was time to leave, I think all of us were a little emotional. Coming back to the Midwest felt like stepping into a completely different world. The temperature might have technically only been about 10 degrees colder, but it felt like 50. And I definitely miss the sound of the ocean. Before we left our Airbnb, though, something really beautiful happened.

Sharing Extra Food And Kindness

SPEAKER_00 18:28

So since we stayed in the Airbnb, we had extra groceries left over that we couldn't take with us. We had some fresh fruit, we had some rice, we had some granola bars, lots of things that weren't open because I always end up getting way too much. I don't know this fear that we're all gonna run out of food. But I hate wasting food. So I was standing there wondering what I was gonna do with it because I w refuse to throw it away. And as I'm sort of praying about it, I noticed this large group of landscaping workers outside. So I walked over and I asked one of them if anyone might want the food, if I could give it to them. I told him it was unopened. And the fresh fruit, I was a little sad about giving up because I really wanted to eat it, but there was no way I could eat it all within five minutes before we left. And asked if anyone would actually eat it, and if they didn't, you know, if there's someone else we could give it to. And he was so gracious. He smiled and he said, Actually, there are several people who would really appreciate it. Thank you. I felt so grateful in that moment that this food wasn't going to waste and somebody truly could use it. Being able to share something simple like that felt important. And it reminded me how powerful small acts of kindness can be. Please, I'm challenging you. If you ever find yourself with extra food, extra resources of any kind, anything that could help someone else, please share it. Community is how we survive. Let me say that again. Community is how we survive. This is how we survive with our physical health as well as our mental health, our emotional health. It affects every aspect of our lives. What you have, someone else may need, and what they have may one day support you. That's how humanity is meant to work. On our last day there, there was another thing, another interesting moment. We were

Animals Calling And Shared Humanity

SPEAKER_00 20:36

driving around trying to decide what to do before heading to the airport because we were had to be there late in the afternoon, and I kept feeling like animals were calling to us. It was the strangest sensation. Almost like they were asking for light, asking for presents, not asking for food, not asking for anything. Like they just truly wanted our presence, like our energetic frequency. And so we searched for places nearby and ended up somewhere I probably wouldn't have chosen otherwise. I'm not gonna list the name of it because I don't want anything coming back to them and anything like that. But I did question it. I thought, you know, I don't know. You know, we went there, we were there for a little while, and I thought, maybe I'm crazy. Maybe that was just, you know, coming to me for no reason. I'm not for sure. But we walked around, we saw some of the animals, smiled, you know, and sent gratitude. And then I questioned it one more time, but this time I questioned it out loud. And my older daughter said something really insightful. She said, you know what? Maybe you felt like some of the animals needed energy. Maybe that really is why we came here. And that shifted everything. So instead of questioning, It, I simply held space. I sent gratitude and love to every animal there, thanking them just for being who they are. And I also felt so much gratitude for the people who live around Miramar Beach and Dustin and Fort Walton and South Walton. And because honestly, tourist towns can be exhausting for locals. I'm sure there are days they just want to go grab lunch without waiting in a long line of visitors. But seriously, every person we encountered was kind, welcoming, and genuinely warm. Walking along the beach, you could hear so many different languages, so many accents, so many different cultures all blending together. That kind of beauty always moves me. Because at the end of the day, we may come from different places, we may speak different languages, have different traditions, different cultures, but we are all sharing this human experience. We all bleed the same. We are all connected. And then came the

Airport Intensity And Core Takeaways

SPEAKER_00 23:11

airport. And I realized I had not prepared myself for that level of intense energy again. Airports carry this similar whirlwind. People rushing, emotions running high, everyone focused on getting somewhere, not knowing for sure if everything will be on time, not knowing if they have absolutely everything that they need. And it reminded me of something. It's a little like giving birth. You know, you forget the struggle, the chaos, the discomfort, because the joy of the experience, the beauty of the outcome becomes what you remember the most. And that's what this trip was. It was a reminder to breathe, a reminder to stay grounded in my own energy and to recognize when I'm picking up on energy that's not mine. A reminder that bravery sometimes comes from the smallest teachers, even our children, and a reminder that the world is full of beautiful moments if we slow down enough to notice them. You know, I really love the experience of the ocean itself, too, and just the embrace that it gave. Like, oh my gosh, it just felt so good. Right? Like, oh, I think the you know, the thing where they talk about the mountains are calling or the ocean is calling. Sometimes I'm pretty sure that it is. Anyway, I'm glad we answered the call. But before we close today's episode, I'd really love to kind of guide you through a short grounding meditation that is pretty inspired by the beautiful energy of the ocean.

Ocean Inspired Grounding Meditation

SPEAKER_00 25:10

So if you're able to, gently close your eyes. And if you're driving or doing something where you can't close your eyes, simply soften your gaze, take a slow breath with me. Inhale deeply through your nose and exhale slowly through your mouth. Again, deep breath in and release. Now imagine yourself standing at the edge of a beautiful shoreline. The sand is warm beneath your feet, the sky stretches endlessly above you, and in front of you the vast, loving and fully alive ocean with every wave that rolls in. Feel the sound of the water washing over your energy field. Imagine that this ocean is filled with pure cleansing light. The salt water carries ancient wisdom, ancient healing, and divine purification. Now imagine a gentle wave once again rolling towards you. And as it reaches your very feet, allow it to wash away any heaviness you've been carrying. Any stress, any worry, any energies that aren't yours. The ocean lovingly accepts and takes them and carries them back out to sea to be transmuted and recycled and good as new. Another wave comes in, this time it brings pure light. Soft, radiant, peaceful light. Allow that light to move up through your feet, through your legs, into your very heart space. And as it reaches your heart, imagine that light glowing bigger and bigger there. It's warm, it's calm, it's balanced. If you're open to receiving, imagine gentle Reiki energy flowing now surrounding you, supporting you, restoring your natural harmony. There's nothing you need to do but simply receive. Let the rhythm of the ocean remind your body how to relax, how to trust, how to return to balance. Take one more slow breath in. And as you exhale, imagine the ocean whispering a message to your soul. You are supported. You are cleansed. You are exactly where you need to be. When you're ready, gently bring your awareness back into the present moment. Begin to wiggle your toes, wiggle your fingers, flicker your eyes open and shut, take a deep breath in and a deep breath out and carry this calm ocean energy with you into the rest of your day. Thank you so much for allowing me to lead you through that. Sacred Soul Sisters, thank you for being here. May your heart stay open, your energy stay balanced, and may you always remember the divine light that flows through you. Until next time, friends, Namaste. Bye-bye. Hi,

Closing Thanks And Stay Connected

SPEAKER_00 29:57

before you go, hey, I just want to say thank you again. I'm so grateful you're here. Thank you for sharing this space with me today. And I hope that you can feel the sense of community. Every time you listen to one of these episodes, you're in community with not only me, but everybody else that's listening to you. And in that beautiful frequency that's created, we get to have our hearts infuse with the love and peace and the hope that we have for each other. So thank you so much for that. So as you move back into your day, I invite you to take a moment, just soften your shoulders, breathe into your heart, and notice what shifted for you in this conversation. How do you feel? I hope amazing. And if this episode resonated, please follow the Sacred Soul Sisters podcast. Take a minute to leave a review. Your words help this healing ripple reach other beautiful souls who are quietly longing for support, remembrance, and community. And stay connected. You can visit my website, angelreikijourney.com. You can book an Angel Reiki session there. You can see some of the other events that we have going on. And if you scroll to the bottom, sign up for the newsletter where I share soulful reflections, upcoming offers, and gentle invitations to reconnect with yourself. You can also find me on Instagram at Angel ReikiJourney for inspiration. Connect with me on LinkedIn. I'm over there too. And remember, you don't have to have it all figured out. You don't have to carry all this alone. You are deeply supported, you are divinely guided, and you are worthy of ease and joy and magnetizing moments in your life. And I'm so excited for that. Until we meet again, take care of your beautiful heart and know that it's okay to choose yourself. It's okay to offer self love to yourself. And it's okay to receive the love and abundance this universe wants to give you. So I will see you next week. Take care. Bye bye.