Eighteen months ago, burnout flipped my world upside down.
I had to walk away from the high-pressure corporate job I’d spent over a decade building. It wasn’t easy, but I took a remote HR role that gave me something I hadn’t had in years—flexibility. My husband Paul, a private pilot, had always been on the move, and suddenly, for the first time in forever, we realized we could live anywhere.
After 12 years in the US, we packed our bags and set off in search of a place that felt like “home.” Weeks of searching led us to Spain. My family is from Madrid, and with the UK just a short flight away for Paul’s family, it was a no-brainer.
It felt right.
A year ago, in November, we moved to Altea—a coastal town I’d adored as a child. I still remember the sun-drenched streets, the scent of the sea clinging to warm stone, and the unhurried days spent chasing waves. Altea is the kind of place that slows time, where the sea hums in the background, and the world feels lighter.
And the sea! A color so impossibly blue, I call it “paradise blue.” It’s the shade I painted my home spa—more on that later.
Now, we live in a villa in the Altea Hills, where the Mediterranean stretches beyond our balcony, and the hillsides bloom with wild thyme, rosemary, and lavender.
My Herbal Scents Ritual for My Spa
Setting up my home spa was overwhelming at first. Too many choices. Too many essential oils. Lavender, eucalyptus, bergamot, ylang-ylang… Too. Much. Choice.
Then I had a thought—why not use what’s already around me?
The hills near our home are thick with wild thyme, rosemary, and lavender. Our garden’s lemon tree spills citrus into the breeze. It made sense to start there.
That’s when I stumbled upon the simple, beautiful practice of making herbal incense bundles.
How to Make a Homemade Herbal Incense Bundle
Here’s my method:
- Gather fresh herbs—lavender for relaxation, rosemary for clarity, thyme for calm. If you have citrus leaves or lemon peel, add them for brightness.
- Tie the herbs tightly with twine or natural thread, making sure the bundle is firm enough to burn slowly.
- Hang the bundle upside down in a dry, shaded spot for 1-2 weeks until it’s completely dry.
- Light the tip of the bundle, let it burn for a few seconds, then gently blow it out so it smolders.
The earthy, soothing scent fills the space. I light mine just before starting my hot-cold therapy ritual (which I’ve detailed in another blog).
The Power of Gathering and Creating
Sure, you could buy incense sticks or essential oils. But there’s something grounding about gathering your own materials. Mindfulness has been a huge part of my recovery, and I’ve learned that the act of foraging and creating these bundles is just as therapeutic as using them.
It forces you to slow down, to notice the scent of crushed herbs on your fingertips, to appreciate the process. There’s something powerful about crafting with your own hands.
And when I light my homemade bundle, it’s like flipping a switch. The scent signals my body and mind to relax, to release, to just be.
If you have access to nature, I urge you to try this. There’s something deeply satisfying about using what’s already around you. You might just find it’s the key to turning your home into your own personal spa.