I wanted to share my story with you so we can get to know one another better!
For years I dreamed of living a location independent life, ideally somewhere under a palm tree, rather than in the rainforest of Vancouver Island, Canada where I grew up.
The only problem was, I didn’t know what this lifestyle was called (which made Googling it a challenge), nor did I have any idea how to make my dream a reality. All I knew was that a traditional career in a 9-5 just wasn’t going to work for me.
I tried to conform. (Hi, Impact) I really did. I even moved all the way to Malibu, California in hopes that palm tree proximity and days of endless sunshine would be enough of a compromise to keep me in a day job.
I mean, how could I sit at a desk all day with THIS waiting outside!
But, no matter what I did, I couldn’t find any job that would soothe the gnawing feeling in my soul that told me I wasn’t where I was meant to be… no matter how irresistible the perks. Unlimited vacation days, an on-site chef, and a desk neighbouring my bestie in a beachside office in Venice, California STILL left me feeling stifled.
One night in 2017 I decided to try my hand at blogging. For years I had wanted to start a blog, but hadn’t taken action. Now was the time. I followed a few bloggers who I knew earned a full time salary from their platforms, but I figured it was an unrealistic goal for me.
“I’m just a regular girl,” I told myself.
But then, after hours and hours of research, I realized that all of us are just regular girls, and regular girls can accomplish anything we want if we try hard enough. And this regular girl was ready to try.
Yes it probably sounds like something from a Hilary Duff movie, but it’s true.
I began studying everything I could get my hands on about how to make money blogging, earn a living online, and build a career as a freelance writer. It turns out there are tons of ways to earn money online! I promised myself that as soon as I replaced my income I would quit my job and head straight to Mexico, the country I’d always longed to return to since studying abroad there in college.
Only… I couldn’t wait.
Finally, enough was enough. In June 2017 I quit my job. Soon after, I packed my bags (and my cat) and moved to Playa del Carmen, Mexico to, ironically, put my English degree to use and pursue my lifelong dream of being a writer.
As crazy as my decision was, this autobiographical street art assured me I was in the right place. Literally. There’s an arrow and everything!
A year later, I can’t tell you who is more surprised that it all worked out… me, or my parents?
It hasn’t been easy building a new business and a new life simultaneously in a new country, but it has certainly been an adventure, and one that I’m excited to share with you.
So stick around!
If you’re dreaming of living a location independent lifestyle too, you’re in the right place. I’m here to support you as much as I can!
Start designing your location independent life with this post on 7 Jobs That Enable You To Work From Anywhere in the World!
For as long as I can remember, my life has been sprinkled with tiny remnants of Mexican culture. From my mom teaching my brother and I to say “salud” when someone sneezes, to my dad’s endless search for the perfect brand of tortilla chips, Mexico has always been present.
When I was in college, in 2010, I jumped at the opportunity to study abroad in Xalapa, Mexico (my current hometown), and it changed my whole life.
Not only did I come home with fortified Spanish language skills, but also a deeper understanding and curiosity for Mexican culture, literature, and history.
And, I met my partner, Héctor… but that’s a whole other story.
Reunited in Tulum after 8 years!
I’ve visited about 14 of Mexico’s 32 states (not that I’m into counting), and every single one of them has something unique and special to offer.
Yes, even Tlaxcala.
I hope you’re interested in learning about what it’s like to live, work, and travel within Mexico, because I’ll be sharing a lot of Mexico content. I’m pretty obsessed with my new home country and I love to show it off.
Though, given that I have family and friends scattered across multiple countries and continents, plus a serious case of wanderlust, you can expect to find plenty of other destinations represented on this blog as well!
Janine in the World is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program, an affiliate advertising program designed to provide a means for us to earn fees by linking to Amazon .com and affiliated sites. Learn more by reading my Disclosure and Privacy policies.