Be Who You Really Are: Happy Black Woman Goes to Mexico!

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

A year ago, I made the leap to live in one of my ideal locations by moving to Honolulu, Hawaii. I was feeling excited and nervous about the direction my life was going to take. I had no idea how long I was going to stay, but I got lucky and found a great place I could rent from month-to-month so that I could leave whenever I wanted.

Since then, I’ve grown so much personally and professionally.

But most of all…

I’ve learned how incredibly important it is to be who I really am.

I was reminded by a conversation with my (now ex) boyfriend about how long I was going to stay in Hawaii. Looking into his eyes, I almost said “forever.” But the truth was that at any given moment, I could (and would) decide to move on to my next destination.

There are so many places I want to go and I’m always looking forward to new journeys with new lessons to teach me. I have a long list of countries I want to visit before I die.

What I’ve discovered about myself is that I’m a lifelong learner who will always be curious about the world. And that right now, I’m not interested in staying in one place for very long.

I haven’t had a lease in more than three years.

Being self-employed and location-independent means that I have the kind of lifestyle and freedom that most people would never choose to have. The way I view the world definitely goes against the status quo.

How I live my life may not be considered “normal,” but the good news is…whenever I choose to be completely myself, I WIN.

Whenever I follow my true desires instead of giving in to what someone else wants me to do, I reach a new level of happiness, success and freedom.

And for me, for now, that looks like wandering around Mexico for a while!

Mexico has long been on my list of countries I want to visit. Besides Cancun, I didn’t really know anything about the different areas I wanted to go to.

As I started doing my research, I took care to heed the “Mexico Travel Warning” issued by the U.S. Department of State with a listing of places NOT to go in Mexico because you might get kidnapped or robbed!

Then I remembered an article I’d read a while back about a cozy little town in central Mexico called San Miguel de Allende that was relatively safe, had a rich local culture and attracted a lot of ex-pats.

So that’s where I’m beginning my Mexican adventure! I’m also planning to check out Playa del Carmen for the Riviera Maya Jazz Festival happening later this month.

Of course, I miss Hawaii.

I miss the food. I miss the beach. I miss the sunshine.

Most of all, I miss the friends I made there.

I’ve met so many amazing people and had so many incredible experiences!

Although I’m continuing on with my nomadic adventure, Hawaii will always be home for me.

And what I know is that as a traveler, I can and will make friends all over the world.

Home is, indeed, wherever I am.

What I can tell you, after almost five years of working for myself and three years of living a nomadic lifestyle is that it is so, so important to trust yourself.

You already know what’s best for you. Now all you have to do is give yourself permission to do it. (click here to tweet this quote!)

P.S. Stay tuned for more travel diaries from my Mexico trip! It’s already been pretty interesting so far…

Leave a comment: Is there something you really want to do with your life that you’re NOT doing because you’re afraid of what other people will think? What would your life be like if you were true to who you really are?

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