Yep. You read that right. I moved to Mexico. Quit my job on a Friday and was on the first thing smokin’ out of Atlanta that following Tuesday. If it sounds like this was an impulsive decision, well, yeah…it kinda was. I officially decided to leave 10 days before I actually left. Ten days to pack up my apartment, move everything into storage, tie up loose ends, and plan a whole move to the sunny Yucatan peninsula.

Kinda wild, huh? I definitely had a couple of “WTF are you thinking?” moments, but it was too late to stop the train, it was already in motion.

So, why the sudden move? And why Mexico?

Well, to answer the why, my lease was up on my apartment and it was either sign another year lease, continue to work a 9-5 that was just a job and brought absolutely zero joy to my life, and spend my days wishing I was anywhere else in the world OR take a huge leap of faith and live in my happiness. The latter prevailed, obviously. Here’s the thing, I need to live a life where I feel like what I’m doing has purpose and meaning. That at the end of the day I can say, I’ve impacted somebody’s life with whatever it is I’m doing, and not that I’m just a number, increasing somebody else’s bottom line. I felt stagnant. Unfulfilled. Unhappy. If this story sounds familiar, it’s probably because I was at the same impasse in 2015 before I decided to move to South Korea. Same story, different year.

After living in South Korea for a year and then Spain for nine months, I thought coming home, getting back into the “real” workforce, and hopefully maybe a tall, dark and handsome man would fall out the sky and into my life so I can do the whole “settling down” thing was the move. Tuh! “Real” is relative. And love? That’s another novel for another day. The white picket fence, 2.5 kids dream ain’t happenin’ here just yet and that “real” job provided no more security than using a chihuahua as a guard dog; so, when faced with the decision of staying or going…ummm I’ll take “How quick can I pack my sh*t and get the hell on?” for 300, Alex.

But, I’m not gonna lie, It was a scary decision; which is why it was down to the wire when I finally made the official decision. It was a decision that took a whole lotta prayer and “being still” on my part. If I left, that meant I wouldn’t have a steady income coming in. This was my biggest fear. I freelance on the side, but would I be able to sustain on just that income? In the states, hell no! Mexico? Yes. At the end of the day, I trusted the big Guy upstairs that all would work in my favor, and it has. Once I decided, things began falling into place and unexpected blessings started pouring in. I truly believe in the below quote:

“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.”

So, why Mexico? Simple, the weather is beautiful year ’round, it’s closer to home, and it’s a Spanish speaking country so I can continue to try to master the language. The biggest reason, however, is the cost of living. It is incredibly cheap here and the U.S. dollar goes far. But, did I mention I’d never actually been to Mexico, prior to moving here? Yeeeah…your girl is out here YOLOing in these Mexican streets. But, why not? Life is too short to not pursue your curiosities with reckless abandon.

I now spend my time soaking up 80+ degree weather, relishing in the fact that my office is now whatever cute café I decide to spend my caffeine-induced days, and doing work that I actually love. Plus, now I get to dedicate more time to the blog that I’ve completely neglected for the last year. 

Continue to follow me on my journey on Instagram and World of A Wanderer as I give you a glimpse into my new life in Mérida, Mexico and all sorts of travel tips, from how you can make the leap to move abroad, finding the best travel deals, solo traveling and everything in between. 

Have you ever made a huge travel leap? What was it? How did it work out for you? Any regrets?