Chronicles of a Solo Traveler: Mexico and the Search for Renewal

Traveling alone is not easy, it involves constant risks and is full of unforeseen events. We venture into unknown territories and in constant motion. During the journey, we conduct numerous internet searches, talk to people, face failures, and learn from them.

In the year 2021, around March, after a year of mandatory lockdown due to the pandemic, I faced one of the most difficult times in my life. The impact on my mental health was significant. I was completely isolated, working long hours, and had lost my social skills. My levels of motivation were low, and I turned to excessive junk food and video games as an escape.

When I realized how much my mental state had deteriorated, gaining a considerable amount of weight and carrying high levels of anxiety, after immersing myself in the world of material dissatisfaction, I wanted to seek an experience that would make me feel alive again. I wanted everything I was doing to make sense before madness took hold of my mind.

Coincidentally, at that time Tame Impala had released their new album, "The Slow Rush." That was when I felt that life was giving me the answer I was looking for at that moment. I mentally projected myself at the Foro Sol in Mexico City, singing the songs and enjoying the incredible experience that their concerts are. Without thinking twice, I bought the tickets on the official event website, and a huge smile took over my face.

Days later, I bought the plane tickets and eagerly learned the songs from their album, as well as listened to the songs from one of the bands that was also going to perform at that same concert: none other than MGMT.

Days before the moment of truth arrived, when I already had hostels, flights, and the concert ticket reserved, and had even watched videos about Mexican culture, the concert was canceled due to the increase in COVID cases in Mexico at that time.

I faced life when nothing scared me more than being confined, and I traveled alone anyway to the fantastic city of Mexico.

Tacos, incredible people, parties, mariachis, joy, architecture, photography, risk, fear. In a way, I can say that it was as if I could be living life again, and I returned motivated to my country.

Traveling alone challenges you every second to step out of your comfort zone, to do things that make you uncomfortable, to plan and see how those plans fail, which leads to frustration. Inevitably, loneliness takes hold of your mind at some point, and you also feel sadness, which you have to deal with because no one else will do it for you.

It challenges you to speak up. I have been a reserved person all my life, and these experiences have helped me open up, gain confidence in my abilities, and not underestimate myself.

Every time I returned to the hotel at night, I felt fulfilled. I, and only I, had made each of the experiences I had lived possible. I also felt gratitude for all the decisions in life that had brought me to that point, and I felt mentally strong when I could tell my own mind:

"I am capable of achieving more than you can imagine!"

"If you're waiting for someone to start traveling, you'll be waiting for the rest of your life."

When I start taking care of and thinking about myself, I start to heal.

Solo travel is my addiction!