Why I Left Texas And Moved To Mexico

Travel

Sep 27

One Day In Therapy

I’ve enjoyed the blessing and benefit of having a therapist for about 5 years. Two and a half years ago, I was was in the middle of sharing all the ways life felt frustrating then stopped mid-sentence and blurted out, “What if I just pack up and leave?!” I don’t recall what my therapist said, but since I’ve been with her so long I imagine there was some sort of slight pause and then exploration into unpacking that statement. Because you know, what is therapy if not an opportunity to unpack your ish?!

I put the idea of leaving in the back of my mind for a few months, but then in November 2021, I started a Google doc titled Pack Up & Leave. I had no idea if I would ever go anywhere or where I wanted to go. My initial thought was to get an RV and visit the best parts of every state. I’d stay for a few weeks, just me and my dog Asher, then move on to the next spot. I played with that document for one day, then forgot about it.

Living Through The Pandemic

And during that time it was easy to forget about dreaming. I had just resigned from my role as Assistant Principal and moved back to Houston, TX in June 2021 during the pandemic. I was thankfully still getting paid in the summer, but by November 2021 I was job hunting while trying to build out one section of my business while Door Dashing while robbing Peter to pay Paul. I didn’t have time to think about doing what I wanted because I spent all of my time doing what I could just to survive.

I wasn’t talking about moving with my family or friends because it was no longer a reasonable thought to hold. Then a shift happened and the idea resurfaced. In February 2022, I started a new job. The new role offered a higher salary ( I went from $70,000 to $80,000), great benefits, and I worked from home. Just having consistent income again allowed my creative mind to wake up and even though I started that job at the beginning of February, by the end of that month I found my way back to my Pack Up & Leave Google doc. Only this time I created a timeline for executing a real plan.

Researching Expat Living

Between February and June 2022, I was reading articles and watching YouTube videos about Americans who moved abroad. I landed on this video and started to lean into the idea of moving to Merida, Mexico. Being able to save significantly and still enjoy life was exactly what I wanted and needed. In addition, I’d been feeling very disconnected from God and wanted to create space for us to have a real relationship again. I also had a strong desire to learn Spanish. My mom has been taking classes for two years and we were on Duolingo, but I wanted more. I wanted to immerse in the language.

With every passing day, the desire to pack up and leave grew stronger. The more I looked around at how hard I was working to make ends meet and how stressed I felt every day, the less afraid I was of trying something new.

Moving In Silence

And I just needed to believe that dreams don’t just exist in the imaginary. I was tired of dreaming and not doing. Or dreaming and not believing. Once I set my mind to leave, I continued planning in silence to avoid listening to or taking on other people’s fears. By the time I told my parents and close friends, it was an iron clad decision and I was informing them of my leave date.

Moving to Mexico meant choosing myself. It meant stepping out on faith. It is the most peaceful life decision I’ve ever made.

A Wondering

Have you ever thought about living abroad? Or even just moving to another city or state? What stops you from acting on those ideas? Share in the comments.

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