5 lessons learned after living in Mexico for 2 years
After living in Mexico for more than 2 years I've changed!
I absolutely love the culture here, and I’ve found when you intentionally immerse yourself in a culture that’s not native to your own, you come to appreciate other ways of life. You become more empathetic and understanding to different perspectives (well that’s the idea!).
I currently have my residency in Mexico and have plans of living here long term. That’s the beauty of remote work, is the ability to choose to live here in Mexico as an American.
In this blog and video, I’m sharing 5 lessons I’ve learned living here in Mexico.
Lesson 1: Go with the Flow (Solo Sigue La Corriente)
Being from the US, I’m very regimented. My calendar, schedule, and timing are everything. I place a high value on being punctual and sometimes that can be to my detriment.
Culture in Mexico is much more laid back. Time is flexible and relative. I take this as a huge lesson because being patient and being open to the flow of the universe creates a much more peaceful life. I’ve come to understand that not everything I consider highly important and urgent is that way.
But really, don’t expect the maintenance or cable guy to get there at the time, or even the day he says he’s coming, you’re only setting yourself up for disappointment.
Lesson 2: My Home is Your Home (Mi Casa Es Tu Casa)
Before moving to Mexico I heard a common misconception from many Americans that other cultures didn’t like us. I thought as I would travel people would shun me for being from the US, or dislike me immediately.
Although there are people who don’t like Americans, my experience has been wildly different in all 15 countries I’ve lived in, and especially in Mexico.
I’ve always felt welcomed here. Mexicans are incredibly proud people. They love their country and enjoy showing it to people who respect their culture. They are hospitable, and when they host you in their home, they want to make sure you are fed (and usually overfed).
In the streets, if you’re looking for directions, they’ll stop and take their time to send you on their way (even if they don't know where they are sending you). From my experience, they also have a huge appreciation for trying to speak their language and will go to lengths to help understand my broken Spanish.
Lesson 3: MEXICO IS HUGE AND DIVERSE (MEXICO ES MUY GRANDE Y DIVERSO)
If you haven’t studied Mexico on a map, you may miss the fact that it’s MASSIVE! It’s the 14th largest country in the world, and depending on where you go it’s very different.
I had preconceived notions about Mexico being homogenous across the entire country, but I was wrong.
I’ve traveled to more than 10 cities all over the country, and the beach towns on the Yucatan peninsula are vastly different from the big urban cityscape like Mexico City, which is more than 2,000 feet higher than Denver. Both of these are different from the colorful architecture and cobblestone streets of Oaxaca City.
In addition, Mexico recognizes 68 national languages, 63 of which are indigenous. When you travel across the country and meet people speaking different dialects, with a wide range of skin colors, you really get to understand how diverse it can be.
LESSON 4: FOOD IS LIFE (COMIDA ES LA VIDA)
Being from the US, I ate hard shell tacos with shredded cheddar cheese growing up. I’ll say this: super Americanized Mexican food doesn’t do real Mexican food justice. I always thought Mexican food was the same ingredients, just slightly different preparations: tacos, burritos, enchiladas, etc…
But no!
The Mexican diversity I mentioned in the last lesson is reflected in the food.
You may be in Playa del Carmen eating Cochinita, in Oaxaca eating grasshoppers, or Carne Asada with flour tortillas in Northern Mexico. And meals are meant to be shared. There is a special family and community element to food here that is so rich.
All over Mexico, you’ll find food markets that bring everyone together.
LESSON 5: Ingenuity and Innovation (Ingenio e innovacion)
If you walk around any city in Mexico it won’t take you long to find people who are creative and enterprising. Street carts, sidewalk performers, singers, and dancers outside of restaurants… people making money in all different ways.
The ingenuity of people and their ability to make money through retail arbitrage, hustle their creations, or find a skill they can monetize is inspiring.
The entrepreneurial mindset is learned at a young age because many kids help to support their families with the money they make. And, Mexico is growing! There are huge spikes of population growth in the remote worker and nomadic community especially as many people are recognizing the value of living in Mexico.
Would you live in Mexico?
Speaking of an enterprising mindset, I help high performers land legit remote jobs so they can live a life with more freedom and flexibility. So if you want to move to Mexico, or even just work from home wherever you are, check out my other videos and free resources on my site.
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