On the afternoon of Friday, April 1, Alex and I departed from San Diego, California to travel to West LA — we used LAX as our launch pad for our trip to Mexico City. Prior to leaving, we stopped for two of North County’s prized gems: an iced Americano from Zumbar and a Mozy’s burrito. As we merged into the traffic of I-5, I experienced a twinge of sadness as I watched the surf minimize from the rearview mirror. Paradoxically, that emotion actually made me happy— until that moment, I had never been bummed to leave the place I lived in to travel somewhere else.
For years, I longed to be aboard every plane I saw trail across the sky. When I began actively traveling six years ago, subconsciously, I traveled to escape. Now, I travel for enjoyment.
Mexico City gives meaning to the word “sprawl”. By foot, metro, uber, and bike we trekked to a handful of its fabulous museums and sites. We went to the Museo Nacional de Antropologia, Museo Frida Kahlo, Museo Soumaya, Palacio Bella Artes, and the Teotihuacan Pyramids. Each location was incredible and we especially loved all the unique, vibrant neighborhoods (Colonia Juárez, Roma Norte, La Condesa, and Centro Histórico… to name a few). We also ate well and drank A LOT of espresso. Nevertheless, this is not a post about Mexico D.F. — instead, it’s a summary of what I learned from deciding to move on my trip.
When I left on Friday the 1st, I was confident I would eventually move to Cardiff. However, I had no idea I would call it “home” when I crossed back over the border. Over a late lunch, after our trip to the pyramids, I texted my landlord my thirty-day move out notice for my apartment. Month-to-month leases are amazing, aren’t they?
Once the text was sent, I felt a rush of positive emotions. The only thing I really worried about was my yoga classes. Even though I did not realize it at the time, I set things in motion for this transition prior to departing. A week before I left, I made the challenging decision to give-up my permanent classes at studios outside of CorePower Yoga. I realized, if I wanted to teach full-time and give 100% to my clients, I needed to teach more classes at LESS studios. Some weeks, I would teach at up to eight different locations. Bouncing all over the city to teach a class or two at a time was NOT sustainable. When I made the decision, I knew I would miss the students and the energy of each space — I did not know I would be setting myself up for an easier transition once I made it back to the States.
Secondly, I have been a part of CorePower Yoga’s teacher training program for a few years. In December, I decided to take “two” rounds of facilitation off. When the February session of teacher training began, I was sad that I was not slated to rejoin the teacher training staff until the Fall. For a moment, I considered asking to join a summer session — something inside told me not to act. Since I waited, I am now a coach of the Summer Power Yoga Teacher Training team at CorePower Yoga Del Mar. Had I emotionally reacted, I would have spent the summer commuting North to South. And, I would have missed the opportunity to coach with one of my best friends, Kim.
Therefore, the first lesson I learned in Mexico City was the powerful, long-term impact of my decisions. Making the choice to step away from three wonderful yoga communities and to take time off from South County teacher training was really hard. At the time, it honestly seemed a bit illogical. Now, I understand that some of the decisions I make take time manifest into really beautiful things and I must have faith in their magic as I practice patience.
The aforementioned decisions were made because I trusted my instincts — the second lesson I learned while I was away in Mexico.
If you know me, you know, this is not the first time I’ve moved on short notice. Previously, my moves were motivated by the same thing that prompted me to travel: a desire to escape my present circumstances.
I was/am happy with my life in San Diego. Yes, I taught at a few too many studios, a problem I amended before I traveled. This move was/is powered by an instinctual feeling telling me this is what is best. At times, it can be easy to silence the true voice that lives inside of me, especially when it is telling me do to things that are "risky" or things that may not settle well with other people. I am happy I listened to the loud whisper of my heart, things are transitioning quite effortlessly and I am blessed to move “home”.
That leads me to the third lesson I learned from deciding to move while in Mexico City: haters gonna hate and it’s unimportant what anyone else thinks.
It is my goal to keep this paragraph as positive as possible, yet I feel it is important to highlight the naysayers and what they've taught me. First, a HUGE thank you to those who have wholeheartedly shared their love and support. And to those that have proverbially “shitted on” my move, I must also say, THANK YOU. Thank you for being my greatest teacher. Through you, I have learned to THINK before I speak and to try not to place my own doubts, fears, and judgements on others.
This experience has taught me life moves really fast and it is my responsibility to make the best of it.
It's impossible to tell how the decisions I make today will impact tomorrow, so it is important I listen to my heart and silence the thoughts of others. I've learned, it’s ALWAYS the journey, not the destination. And more importantly, it’s who you are journeying with that makes the biggest difference.