How moving to another country TESTED my mental health 

Uffff in my feels at 6:08 🥺 making this video transported me back to some of my most challenging experiences, but I'm glad for the opportunity to share what I've been through so (in case you go through something similar) you know you're not alone!

I liked when you said “did you drink water” and then showed you with a beer 🤣🤣🍺

I moved to Mexico a year ago. There’s not much left of my family to give me a hard time and my daughter, the most important, is totally supportive. Living near Guadalajara I can grab a direct flight home to Orlando whenever I want, it’s closer than LA! I came here for affordable dental care, which I got. What I hadn’t planned on was falling in love with this town, this country. I did choose a place that is a very soft place to land. Most speak English and I’ll admit it….thank God for google translate! For all the language barriers, I love it here and wouldn’t dream of moving back! It’s my forever home.

Girl, you speak the truth. We experienced all these same emotions and backlash when we moved to a a remote homestead in the Alaskan wilderness from Arizona years ago. We are now planning to move to Mexico and again hearing all the warnings from friends and family again. I feel so proud of you for living the life you want.

Haters are going to Hate. It is their negativity…not yours. If they have never traveled abroad (which I’m sure 99% of them haven’t). They don’t know what the hell they are talking about. We all need encouragement, not negativity. In my 65 years of living, I have learned to shut the toxic people out of my life, no matter who they are. It is something we all have to work on and I have mastered it. You keep doing what is best for you. Thank you for sharing this subject. It will help people who may have doubts and insecurities and encourage them to continue to follow their dreams. ❤

What a great description of what it’s like to live in a foreign country. Whenever I feel overwhelmed mentally, I ask myself “would I be happier if I moved back to the US?” The answer is no! I live in Guadalajara. I just moved here 10 days ago. But I was living in San Miguel de Allende for 4-1/2 yrs. I love Mexico and the people. I like the vibe here. Love your videos! Gracias

Thanks for the video Alex. You covered some very good points in survival in society. A lot of your points could be applied to a move from one side of town in the US to the other. How we accept change and how we are able to roll with the punches is critical in life. I was so happy to see a video from you, it's been awhile and I've missed you and your great videos. Thanks again.

Thank you for this video. We’ve been in Mexico just over two years and I’ve felt the things you’ve expressed. I appreciate knowing I’m not alone and your recommendations

Alex!!!! I love this video so much. I resonate with it a lotttttt. I agree with you, at the end of the day we have to do us and live our lives because we only have one. I am in the process now of planning and organzing another move out the country but this time, permanently. I know EXACTLY what you mean regarding Spanish. I have two friggin degrees in it and it still never feels like enough or that I'm not fully myself in that language. Keep doing you! Un abrazo enorme amiga! ❣

This video is quite timely! You used the phrase "building a life" which is so accurate. Aside from language & cultural differences, building a life from scratch is exhausting!!!

I love your content because it is so real. You are salt of the earth, Alex! 😊

You give the best advice ever, I love the boundry setting. So proud of you!!

This is such a great video, Alex. I definitely went through ALL of this while living in Mexico. What you said about feeling like you have a different personality in Spanish vs. English was DEFINITELY a huge struggle for me. It's so frustrating to feel like you can't express yourself accurately. Really appreciate the transparency!

You come across so sincere in your videos. This was such an important topic to bring up and that is why it is necessary to have some kind of expat community around you in a new location. Even if your Spanish, or, is good trying to explain your feelings and thoughts would be difficult. And of course you can't tell those back home who might only say, "I told you so." or expect you to just give up and return home instead of face it and grow. I have been in and out of my country for almost 20 years and have had to deal with so many issues but I stand by "My life, my rules!" and chose to live my life. With lack of resilience leading to many mental health problems those who live abroad or slow travel have definitely increased their resilience. Much love, C

I’ve always admired your strength, bravery & adventurous spirit. Thanks for sharing both sides of your experience! Xoxo ❤️

Something that I have struggled with is learning Spanish. You are right about even ordering a pizza can be stressful!

You're doing great my friend :)

Alex. I am Mexican from Chihuahua but I live in Querétaro. I arrived just when you left for Guadalajara. I feel like a foreigner and want to meet people for friendship. I hope you work out your mental problems. And wish you the best. Bye the way Guadalajara is my favorite City besides Querétaro.

Dear Alex, It's funny how some people want everyone to live their lives the way they do. It's rather narcissistic, if you ask me. "You must be close to family, you must have children, you must have a certain career or lifestyle or types of relationships." Poppycock! (Yes, I said "poppycock.") Their are 8 billion people on this planet. That's a lot of ways to live. Some of us are explorers at heart. Some of us want to try new things. Some of us develop wanderlust in our youth or our old age. No matter what life path we choose, there will be downsides. But no one else walks in your shoes. Choose boldly and focus on the up-sides. And you have the right to change your mind at any time and as many times as you want. Thanks for sharing your journey.

Thanks for sharing your experience. I’ve been living in Mexico for four years which seems to be a match for me even with the usual struggles. Let’s see some more Guadalajara videos too!

Thank you so much for sharing your struggles. I have heard many of the things that you have mentioned from other videos, which just cements the fact that everyone goes through these same struggles in some form or another. I'm not yet lucky enough to have moved to MX, but I know that for a mental health lift I need to get myself into nature, hiking in a field or bird-watching, listening to the trees move in a breeze. I'm so glad that you know that you don't owe anyone an explanation as to why you do things, something my (adult) girls are still learning. The fact that you can stop and check in on yourself is fantastic!

Great video! This is really good advice for anyone living outside of their home country

You are a phenomenal woman! Keep living your best life and thank you for sharing your experience!

I remember before moving to Mexico someone said I shouldn't take my 2018 Jeep Wrangler. They made the comment that in Mexico they only drive beatup Chevrolet cars. I was shock when I heard that especial since I have been to Mexico many times before I moved here and knew that wasn't true. Mind you I moved here in 2022 and there are many Jeep Gladiators and Ford Bronco that they didn't start being built till 2020 and the New Bronco came out in about 2022 or 2021 I am not sure on the exact year. Another thing people would say is how dangerous it is in Mexico and I will admit there are dangerous places in Mexico, but there are places in the U.S. I won't go to that are dangerous. What I have found most of the things they have said negative about Mexico is from there own ignorance from what they get from the media and do not do their own research. I have live in four other countries outside the U.S. and have traveled to over thrirty countries in total. When you go to another country you should learn as much about their culture as possible. My Spanish is not that great, but I make an effort to improve it any chance I can. I have friends that are local Expats and I have friends that are local Mexicans. I feel its good to have both. Like Alex mentioned you should not compare your new home with where you came from. It will be much easier to adjust if you keep that one thing in mind.

You are glowing in this video Alex! Thanks for the insightful video!

Thanks for sharing this! I have so much respect for all you've done to build a life abroad, and I appreciate you opening up about these challenges. I've used Better Help and like how accessible it is

Thanks Alex. I am considering retiring in Mexico and this was helpful.

Ahhh this video is very topical. Been in Mexico two months now and going through all these things in this video. I come from a Mexican household in the US too so I figured I would be able to handle the spanish a bit easier but it is still pretty tough with the mental burn out of constantly translating, learning new vocabulary, and having no idea what I am ordering at restaurants and food stands 😂 and flying solo to get to know the city can feel a bit awkward as well

This was so honest and soooo important to post. I haven't seen another like it yet. When I lived in Guanajuato years ago, I remember feeling pretty alone and having a hard time meeting new friends and ultimately I think that's why I returned back to the US. Now I'm working my way back and regretted coming home. I experienced all those things you mentioned in my time in GDL and GTO and truly appreciate your courage, honesty and kindness. I have contacted BetterHelp and will, I'm sure, use it when I'm abroad again. (Taking a re-scouting trip in August to GTO and renewing my 1 yr temp res.) We need to hear the truth and you also provided sound ways around those frustrations. Thanks, Alex. Great video and most necessary.

Thank you for this. It was very insightful.

Thank. you, Alex. This is great information for anyone exploring a new culture.

It was courageous to share your vulnerabilities, and the dark side of moving abroad. Required viewing for anyone contemplating such a move.

Nice video Alex..... Thank you for sharing

Great explanation of your process ♥️♥️♥️♥️

Great video Alex, sharing thoughts that more people should feel comfortable talking about!

As someone living abroad for 8 years - all true!

Great video . They only get better.

ThankYOU, even in spanish is difficult. The change to a different country is a challenge.

Excellent video

Mi México mágico ❤

Hi. Travel is life. My WHY is that my life is boring. I don't really feel home when home. I am 67, got enough of Mexico, and now my place is in South East Asia. I love it so much. Great culture, safe, smiling people and LOT cheaper than Mexico. What holds me to leave for good is having a 90 yo mother

🙏

Espero que todo esté bien.

'Eso, eso eso'!!! 😊

Some disjointed thoughts. As somebody said, "Haters gonna hate!" I've often wondered how RU-vid video content creators handled the negative sludge coming from trolls and even well-meaning, but mis-guided people. I guess I would read just enough to determine if the post was from a troll and then disregard the post entirely. But, even scanning the posts for negativity can be harmful to one's self-esteem. Perhaps I would turn to reading none of the comments. Most of the time when somebody trolls you, they are trying to gain power over you. When trolled, I make a mantra of the phrase "Consider the source>" For the well-meaning ones, We all have encountered the negative relative who wouldn't have done what we are doing. If I were in Mexico and such a relative came my way, I'd say "if I were unhappy with my life in Mexico, I would have returned to America". As you stated, those people have no idea what it's like to live in another country. On a personal note I might say to the person "if you paid my freight for a similar lifestyle in America, I'd move back", or, "Okay, I'll move back; when am I moving in with you?" I am thinking that would shut them up in a flash.

It's called culture shock, and it can be a bitch. When I lived in Japan in the early 90s, I had everything you described and more; and I was illiterate to boot (when I got there I couldn't even tell the men's room from the women's room). I read a simple book on culture shock, made a list of "good things, bad things" about Japan, and I've been in love with Japan ever since. Guarantee - if you go back to the US, you will miss Mexico forever and you'll have the same "reverse" culture shock - "why do they do it so dumb here? In Mexico it was so much better!". As for the haters - I am so done with the opinions of people who have no first-hand experience, have not studied the subject, but just repeat talking points they heard on TV. "The Man on TV said you are crazy to live in Mexico!" Please, just leave the rest of us who are living life alone. Don't worry, Alex, you are kicking ass!

I think the majority of Americans get their news from tv and that news about Mexico is never good. If on the other hand, you travel around Mexico, you will form a different opinion. Mexico and it's people are amazing. I'd say, come, visit and see for yourself before you cast doubt.

The thing is if you had taken that journalism job you'd probably be out of a job right now. Good on you to trust your instincts. 😅😅😅

Hi, Alex..., Excellent video and very informative, and "Thank you" for sharing the video ! ! * Alex is..., bright, intelligent, and attractive... "Semper Fi" Mike in Montana PS: I decided to watch a few more of your videos and decided to "Subscribe" to your excellent channel... :)