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How did I end up sitting poolside in Tulum on a random Tuesday?

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That story actually began two years earlier, in my high-rise apartment in Maryland. From the outside, life looked good—I was financially stable, moving between Maryland and DC, grounded in routines that supported my wellbeing, and fresh off signing a high-end book deal after leaving my career as a therapist to pursue healing through my writing.

 

I was comfortable… but I felt constrained.

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I lived in an apartment where the windows didn’t even open. The only natural light came from the front, leaving the rest of my home dim and closed in. And that feeling followed me beyond my walls—always a little on edge, uneasy in the city, hyper-aware of my surroundings, craving deeper connection in a culture that often felt disconnected.

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I couldn’t ignore it anymore: there had to be more.

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And I made myself a promise—I was not doing another DC winter.

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With my lease coming to an end, I had a decision to make: renew, relocate within the U.S., or do something that felt completely out of the box… move to another country.

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So I sat down and mapped out what each path could look like.

Renewing my lease? That meant choosing comfort over peace—and I knew I couldn’t do that anymore.

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Moving to another state? As a North Carolina native, I had already tried that. I had moved to Maryland seeking more alignment, only to find myself still navigating systems and structures that didn’t feel like home. And with the rising cost of living, I didn’t want to just survive—I wanted to actually live.

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Then there was the third option.

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I had two friends living in Playa del Carmen who had invited me to visit and learn about their transition. That possibility stayed with me.

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So I chose it.

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I spent a year getting my heart, mind, and spirit aligned with leaving. Then six months preparing physically. What felt like setbacks at the time were actually setting the foundation—building the momentum I needed to leap.

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And now… here I am.

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A random Tuesday morning, sitting poolside in Tulum. Living in a space that reflects me. Breathing in warm air. Feeling safe. Feeling free. Fully embodied in a life I once only imagined.

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It took courage to get to that cabana by the pool. It took uncertainty, uncomfortable decisions, and a lot of “yes” moments in the face of the unknown.

But every step led me here—to a life that feels aligned, expansive, and whole.

The question is… are you ready to create your own version of this?