Sometimes, the strongest move is to step back. To pause. To exhale. To disconnect so you can reconnect with yourself. Because the thing is, if you want to be present in every hat you wear (CEO, creative, caretaker, queen/king of the grind), you’ve got to take care of yourself first.
Desperately need a sign to organise that trip, arrange that roadie, or get out of your daily grind for a few moments of sanity? Look no further than the Instagram feed of Actress, Singer & Presenter Natasha Van Der Merwe.
Yes, the very same Natasha who rules screens as ruthless Suzie in Suidooster, recently took a break from shooting schedules chaos and said yes to a soul-reviving escape, destination: Mauritius. Bikini in one hand, carry-on bag in the other, she skipped out on a much-needed sibling escapade. And let’s be real—sun-kissed beaches, crystal waters, and that “I’ve got zero deadlines” vibe? That’s the kind of reboot we all need.
Her #ToerMetTash #TravelWithTash experiences aren’t wanderlust—they’re your reminder that rest is work. That slowing down is how we show up bigger, bolder, and brighter when it’s go-time.
Brunette bombshell? More like a boss in beachwear. We got the lowdown from Natasha herself on why stepping away is just as important as showing up.
1. At what exactly time in Mauritius did you have the moment you realized, “Yep, this is the reset I didn’t know I desperately needed”?
I remember it so clearly, it was in day 3 of the trip, out on the catamaran. My phone buzzed with notifications, and at that moment, I made a choice, to switch it off, to be present, and to let go of everything happening beyond that horizon. A few hours later, I was lying in the sun, surrounded by crystal-clear water and perfect weather. And right then, it hit me—that quiet aha moment: This is the reset I didn’t know I so deeply needed.
2. What did stepping away from your usual routine (and Suzie’s melodrama!) to rediscover your best, true self, off-screen and gadget-free mean to you?
What I love most about travelling is the perspective it gives. No matter what’s happening in your world or your little bubble at home, stepping into a new country, culture, or place breaks your routine and resets your mindset. It shakes up your thought patterns in the best way. Gustave Flaubert said it perfectly: “Travel makes you modest. You see what a small space you occupy in the world.” And it’s so true. Travel is such a gift. I never take it for granted. The kind of rest and reset I get depends on the type of trip, but one thing stays the same – the joy of stepping away from work and switching off my phone (except for snapping photos, of course). That’s when I’m most present, most reflective. It’s in those quiet moments that I can check in with myself, how I’m feeling, where I’m at, and where I want to go next. My journal always comes with me. It’s my travel companion through every moment of pause.
3. What did you bring along that was completely unnecessary—and one thing you wished you brought more of?
Oooh, I like to think I’ve become quite the pro at packing these days! I didn’t have too much clothing left over that I didn’t wear—just a few extras (you know how it is, a girl needs options). I brought along 3 books but only managed to finish one (clearly, I was a bit too excited… but hey, I do love reading!). One thing I wish I’d packed? My swim shoes. Oh, and my Garmin charger! Talk about a full reset—my Garmin gave up the ghost while I was there. I had to manually log workouts on Strava and go completely notification-free. Honestly, it was kind of refreshing. I may or may not have also packed a couple of bikinis that never saw the sun… 😉 but who’s counting?
4. What’s your go-to routine when you need to recharge your mind and soul, even if an entire island getaway isn’t in the plans?
— Useful tips for fans who might not be able to take off, but still want that feel.
Because of my schedule, I don’t always get the chance to sneak away for weekend trips, especially when shoots run late on a Friday. But whenever I can, I try to add a little spontaneity into the mix. I love taking walks along the promenade or heading up the mountain to watch the sunset from a special spot—it’s my way of regrouping. Hiking, wine farms, little day getaways, and Sunday drives with no real destination (or just to my favourite coffee shop) are some of the ways I like to switch off and recharge. My folks live on the West Coast, so heading home is always a treat too! It’s so important to appreciate the little things and enjoy what’s right on our doorstep—you don’t always need to hop on a plane.
5. If you had to take one feeling or one experience from this trip with you into your daily routine, what would it be—and why?
If there’s one thing I’d take from this trip into everyday life, it’s the gift of permission to truly unplug. In Mauritius, the world felt so much bigger than the screen in my hand. The ocean didn’t need a status update, the sunrise didn’t ask for a filter, and conversations flowed without the constant buzz of notifications.
There was something deeply grounding about being fully present, from feeling the sand beneath my feet without needing to capture it, to hearing my own thoughts without the noise of a hundred voices. Just being there, in the moment, was more than enough.
That’s the balance I want to carry home with me, the ability to truly switch off, to focus with intention, and to remember that not everything vying for my attention is actually important. Some things; like presence, clarity, and peace, deserve more of me than my inbox ever will.