Burnout, Bloom & Becoming

Transcript

Introduction & How Nahomie Discovered Mallorca

Hello and welcome. I’m Helen Cumins and this is Mayorca Living, a video podcast dedicated to those who are dreaming about living and making business here in Mallorca. Today I’m joined by Naomi Jean Lewis from Miami, and we’re going to hear about her fascinating journey to Mallorca. Let’s dive in.

Naomi, thank you so much for being here.

Thank you once again for having me. I just want to say thank you for the first article from Slow Living.

Before we go to that, it would be lovely to go back and maybe trace how we actually met.

Sure, how we got to that article.

Yes, exactly. So you had moved to Mallorca, but you were interested in joining a business community, right?

Yes. And I was receiving your newsletters. I signed up for your newsletter and started researching Mallorca. ABC Mallorca had most of the resources I was looking for, detailed information about the town’s restaurants and lifestyle. I stumbled upon the Slow Living Edition 2022 and thought, “This is the lifestyle I want.” It was very complete. I reached out for real estate, and everyone was so helpful. That magazine inspired me to really move here.

Wow. And you moved to Mallorca without ever having set foot on the island.

Yes. I had a longing and desire for softness and to slow down, which isn’t common in your age group. I was 31, 32 when I decided I wanted to move here. I had already done a lot in Miami—working at a law firm and running a business. It was fast-paced, and I had a long desire to live softly, not having to work so hard, especially as a young woman.

Were you not the one driving the pressure to have your own business and profession?

Yes, I did. Once I accomplished that, I thought, “I’d rather live slowly. One job is enough if I’m comfortable.”

Burnout in Miami: Lifestyle, Law, Business & Health Warning Signs

Did you feel tired?

I felt exhausted. Burnout, really. I used to cry from being so exhausted.

What would a typical week in Miami look like for you before you decided to move?

Probably 70–80 hours of work. I would dedicate two hours a day to self-care—running, gym. I had a café in South Beach near Lincoln Road. I could be there for 14 hours a day, and if I had private legal cases, I would work on them there.

Did you have your own legal practice?

No, I worked at a firm but could take cases to work on at home. I practiced U.S. immigration law, which is complex and constantly changing. So, there was already a lot of pressure dealing with client cases, reuniting families, or filing appeals to help them remain in the U.S.

I also had the business in South Beach. I felt like a little girl there because everyone else had so much experience. Rules required us to stay open for long hours, which burned me out. I started experiencing health issues, burnout, and high blood pressure. At 32, my doctor warned me I could have a heart attack if I continued at that pace. That was a wake-up call.

Letting Go of the Grind & Choosing a Slower Life

One trip to Europe that summer changed my perspective. I realized we need vacations, time off, and to live slowly. That’s also how I grew up. I felt the pull to Europe, and eventually, Spain.

You felt that staying in America would mean continuing the same grind?

Yes. It was a never-ending cycle. I saw older friends, very successful, living similar fast-paced lives. The lifestyle was beautiful but expensive and stressful. I realized I deserved a better life and could probably achieve that elsewhere.

Do you think your values were changing?

Absolutely. Coming from Miami, a very superficial city, life was focused on careers, wealth, cars, and connections. I wanted deeper connections with myself and others. People were friends because of who you knew or what you could do. Nothing felt solid, so my values started changing.

I find it fascinating that you felt you couldn’t change your life within that environment.

Exactly. That’s how Bloom came about. People need to step out of their environment to see life from the outside. The first three months here were very transformative.

Moving to Mallorca Without Visiting First

Why Mallorca?

Honestly, at the time, I wasn’t sure why. I just felt a strong pull toward the island, having never been here, only seen pictures and read magazines.

But you had been to Spain before, right?

Yes, I did a full year degree in Madrid and speak Spanish. I had experienced Spanish lifestyle, but my calling wasn’t to return to Madrid. I felt a calling to be on this island, drawn by nature and energy.

And you chose to live in Son Serra de Marina rather than the capital?

Yes, it’s a small coastal town with a beautiful beach, far from the capital. It was exactly what I needed to tune out and focus on myself. Many people have second homes here for summer, but I live there all year. It’s perfect for discovering myself.

Building a New Lifestyle & Buying a Dream Home

I moved into a beautiful home after three months. In Miami, I could never have afforded a home like this with sea views and a terrace. It was a bold statement, making this place my home.

Balancing U.S. Work With Life on the Island

I’m still connected to a U.S. law firm but plan to transition fully to working and living here. Living in Mallorca while earning in the U.S. allows me to live extremely well. Ideally, I will continue with private clients but not full-time law practice.

How do you manage the time difference?

I start work around 4 PM U.S. time until 11 PM. I have all day here, take a nap, and feel like I get a second day.

Entrepreneurial Roots & First Businesses

I grew up in an entrepreneurial family. My dad owns an auto parts factory in Haiti. I started working at 16 to be independent. I realized jobs wouldn’t afford the lifestyle I wanted, so I opened my first business at 19—a day spot, which is still running but leased out.

My next business was a kosher boutique bakery in South Beach, in a highly Jewish-populated area. It attracted a lot of support, even from the mayor.

Starting Bloom: Retreats for Women in Transition

When I first moved to Mallorca, friends would come visit and be amazed at the slower, more intentional way of living. One of them casually suggested I should host retreats. At first, I hesitated—it felt like a lot of work—but after spending months alone, I realized that the transformation I was experiencing could never have happened if I had stayed in Miami.

That reflection sparked the idea for Bloom, a retreat space for women in transition, especially those in demanding careers who rarely step back to gain perspective.

The first retreats were small and intimate, with simple but powerful rules:

No alarms

Minimal phone use

Daily walks in nature

Journaling and self-reflection

What started as an experiment became a way for me to share the slow living lifestyle. Bloom began attracting women who wanted to reconnect with themselves—and it’s been incredible to see how many lives it’s touched.

Personal Transformation, Structure & Boundaries

Mallorca has truly forced me to slow down. Life here naturally moves at a different rhythm, and I’ve learned to listen to my body and intuition more than ever before.

One of the biggest changes has been creating boundaries. In Miami, I was constantly socializing with no limits. Now, I carve out specific days for nature walks, stillness, and self-care—something I never allowed myself before.

My health journey has also been an important part of this transition. After initially gaining weight when I moved, I made a conscious decision to prioritize wellness again through running, kickboxing, and personal training. Today, I feel stronger, healthier, and more grounded than ever.

Launching 1923: A Soulful Speakeasy in the North

Despite leaving Miami’s party scene behind, I still craved a touch of nightlife—something stylish, soulful, and community-oriented. That’s how 1923, a private speakeasy-style club, was born.

The inspiration? Looking at my collection of high heels and wondering where I’d ever wear them again! Mallorca needed a place that blended elegance, music, and creativity.

After finding a run-down bar for lease, I took the leap. The renovation took a full year (a true test of patience in Mallorca), and I designed the interiors myself—dark woods, a New York loft feel, and jazzy speakeasy vibes.

When the doors finally opened in late 2024, the response was overwhelming. The first events attracted locals and internationals alike, and word quickly spread about this hidden gem. With themed parties, live jazz, and a members-only approach, 1923 isn’t just another bar—it’s a curated community.

Creating Community & Connection

From the start, my vision wasn’t about cocktails alone. It was about creating experiences where people could step out of routine, connect, and be inspired. Whether through themed 1920s nights, jazz sessions, or intimate gatherings, the goal has always been to build something meaningful.

And it’s working. Members come from across Europe, South Africa, and the US—all drawn to the unique atmosphere and sense of belonging that 1923 offers.

Why Mallorca Is Ideal for Entrepreneurs

Many people ask why I chose to launch my projects in Mallorca instead of Miami. For me, the answer is simple: space for creativity.

In Miami, competition is fierce—every idea already has dozens of people executing it. Here, it feels like there’s still room to innovate. Mallorca offers a fresh canvas for new businesses, especially those that focus on community and year-round living rather than seasonal tourism.

It’s not about doing what everyone else is doing—it’s about bringing heart, vision, and persistence into projects that stand out. That’s why building here has been so rewarding.

Quickfire Questions

Beach or mountains? Beach

Sunrise or sunset? Sunset

Summer heat or winter calm? Winter calm

Siesta or fiesta? Siesta

Pamboli or ensaïmada? Pamboli

North coast or south coast? North coast