It’s Not the Place, It’s You

After 10 months of travel, we are back where we started: Mexico City.

The past 2 weeks we’ve spent in Mexico have reminded me how incredible this country is. The last time I was here, I ordered the tacos “sin nada,” and I didn’t like chilaquiles. I didn’t appreciate it beforehand as much as I do now.

One thing I’ve realized after visiting 11 countries over the past 10 months is that it’s rarely the place that makes the difference, it's almost always you.

For example, let’s say person 1 hates India. He thinks that it’s dirty, the people are rude, and the food is the worst thing he has ever tried.

But person 2 thinks the complete opposite. He loves India, the cows on the streets, and the sensory overload. He thinks the food is amazing. He loves the people and how hospitable and nice they are.

Person 1 and 2 went to the same India. India didn’t suddenly become the worst country ever just because Person 1 went. India was just being India.

So, whether you like a place or not is up to you (consciously or unconsciously).

Traveling to “escape” won’t work because what you’re escaping from is with you at all times. No new city or country is going to magically fix how you feel if you’re unhappy (and the same goes for the other way around).

That’s why it’s important to give a place a second chance. The reason you didn’t like the place may have been that your feelings shaped your view of that place more than you realized.

Wherever you go, you are there. If you don’t like that, then it’s up to you to change it.

I’m glad I get to take myself on this next leg of Project Goat.