We recently had the chance to connect with Lilli and have shared our conversation below.
Hi Lilli, thank you so much for taking time out of your busy day to share your story, experiences and insights with our readers. Let’s jump right in with an interesting one: What is something outside of work that is bringing you joy lately?
Discovering a new waterfall in Jamaica
Can you briefly introduce yourself and share what makes you or your brand unique?
Nature’s Sweet Escapes is a passion-driven brand founded by Doreen Scarlett, a Jamaican adventurer, storyteller, and part-time tour guide who has explored over 150 waterfalls across the island. More than just a travel brand, Nature’s Sweet Escapes is a movement celebrating Jamaica’s hidden gems, eco-tourism, and the healing power of nature.
Through immersive blogs, YouTube videos, and personalized tours, Doreen takes readers and travelers off the beaten path — from secluded waterfalls and mountain trails to historical springs and cultural landmarks — blending adventure with local stories, wellness, and authentic Jamaican experiences.
What makes Nature’s Sweet Escapes truly unique is the hands-on, soulful connection to each location. Doreen not only explores — she cooks vegan meals by the riverside, documents local history, supports small communities, and creates content that inspires others to reconnect with nature.
Currently, she’s working on her debut book, “Nature’s Sweet Escapes: Discovering Jamaica’s Beauty at Every Turn”, a coffee table-style journey across Jamaica’s most enchanting natural wonders. She also curates personalized tours for small groups (up to five people), offering guests a chance to experience the island like a local — complete with adventure, history, and a home-cooked meal in nature.
Whether through storytelling, photography, or guided escapes, Nature’s Sweet Escapes invites you to slow down, explore deeper, and rediscover the beauty of Jamaica — one waterfall at a time
Amazing, so let’s take a moment to go back in time. What’s a moment that really shaped how you see the world?
One moment that truly shaped how I see the world was the first time I stood beneath Cascade Waterfall in Portland — what I now call One Drop Waterfall. I had visited after a long, stressful week in the city, and the moment that icy water touched my skin, everything slowed down. I remember looking around at the untouched beauty, the silence, the way the sunlight danced on the rocks — and I realized how much peace, healing, and wisdom nature holds.
That day taught me that life doesn’t have to be rushed or complicated. Nature reminded me that everything we need — clarity, strength, joy — already exists around and within us. Since then, I’ve seen the world as a place full of hidden gems, not just in landscapes, but in people, stories, and simple moments. It’s what inspired Nature’s Sweet Escapes — to help others slow down, reconnect, and discover the beauty waiting just beyond the main road.
What did suffering teach you that success never could?
Suffering taught me patience, humility, and purpose in a way success never could. When everything is going well, it’s easy to believe you’re in control. But in the quiet moments of struggle — when things fall apart, when doors close, when the path feels lonely — you’re forced to look within and find strength you didn’t know you had.
Through my hardest seasons, I learned that pain is a teacher. It stripped away distractions and made me see what truly matters — peace, health, love, and alignment with my purpose. It showed me that real success isn’t the applause or recognition; it’s waking up each day grounded, grateful, and doing what lights your soul on fire.
Nature became my healer during those times. Standing in a cold river or under a waterfall, I realized that even after storms, water still flows. So must we.
Suffering built my resilience, faith, and gratitude — the foundation that now makes every moment of success even more meaningful.
So a lot of these questions go deep, but if you are open to it, we’ve got a few more questions that we’d love to get your take on. Is the public version of you the real you?
The public version of me is the woman smiling under waterfalls, cooking by rivers, and exploring hidden gems across Jamaica. She’s adventurous, fearless, and always chasing beauty in nature.
But the real me — she’s the one who’s been through storms before finding peace in the flow. She’s learned to heal through solitude, to find joy in stillness, and to see lessons in every setback. She’s not always strong, but she always rises.
Behind the photos and blog posts is a woman who uses nature to cope, reflect, and rebuild. Every waterfall I visit isn’t just a destination — it’s a mirror, reminding me that even after falling, there’s beauty in the flow.
What makes me real isn’t the perfection people see — it’s the journey, the tears, the faith, the laughter, and the quiet moments with nature that shaped me.
Okay, we’ve made it essentially to the end. One last question before you go. What do you understand deeply that most people don’t?
I understand, deeply, that peace is the real success.
That silence can speak louder than applause.
That nature is not just a place to visit — it’s a mirror, a teacher, and a healer.
I’ve learned that you don’t have to rush to be fulfilled — that stillness can move mountains inside you.
That beauty isn’t always loud; sometimes it’s hidden in the quiet corners of a forest, in the whisper of a river, or in the courage it takes to start over.
Most people chase what shines, but I’ve come to see that true joy lives in simplicity — in cold river water, warm sunlight, honest laughter, and a grateful heart.
I understand that falling isn’t failing; it’s just another way to flow, like the waterfalls I love so much.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.naturesweetescapes.com
- Instagram: Naturessweetescapes
- Twitter: Sweetescapes
- Facebook: Naturessweetescapes
- Youtube: Naturessweetescapes
Image Credits
Lilli
so if you or someone you know deserves recognition please let us know here.
