"Somewhere Else"
- Girl Let's Go, LLC
- Apr 8
- 4 min read
Updated: Apr 8
It started as a whisper. That tiny “what if” I never gave permission to speak up. But lately? That whisper is getting louder. Not because I’m running from something. Not because I’m anti-American. But because I’ve carried a quiet curiosity for years—one I never gave permission to speak up. A whisper asking: what if I could live differently? What if the way we’ve been taught to survive in this country—the hustle, the side gigs, the normalization of struggle, the quiet acceptance of racism and economic imbalance—isn’t the only way to live? What if we've been so busy trying to make the system work for us, we never stopped to ask whether we were meant to be bound to it at all? What if the very life we’re fighting to sustain is built on foundations that keep us locked in place—and all it takes to be free is to cut the cord, release the weight, and rise high enough to see just how many other ways there are to live, love, breathe, and thrive?
It all started in my kitchen, mid-scroll, mid-simmer making some bomb ass fish tacos if I do say so myself. A TikTok Live caught my attention: a woman house-sitting in Mexico with her husband talking through their journey abroad. Raw. Unfiltered. Real. Nothing scripted. Just two people letting us peek into a moment. They talked how and why they started, the decision that came to life after just a few months of conversation... some of the things they've learned in the process. About cost of living. About peace. About presence, learning curves, challenges and nuggets. It was raw, unrehearsed, and the exact opposite of the hustle-heavy, survival-mode energy so many of us have been operating in. And in that moment, something shifted.
Yes, I'm a travel agent. But this was different. This wasn’t about a vacation. It's not about a picture pop-in to say yeah I did that. This was about life. About the way you wake up. The way you breathe. The way your spirit settles when you’re no longer racing against a system that was built to keep you in survival mode.
It made me wonder—
"What if the freedom I’ve been working toward isn’t something to earn, but something I could choose?"
We talk a lot about getting the bag. Leveling up. Finding our lane. But what if the lane is broken? What if no matter how fast you run, the system keeps shifting the finish line? What if you're pouring your best energy into something that still leaves you underwater by the end of the month? Have we not been doing that already—our whole lives? We call it ambition, but what if it’s really just exhaustion dressed up as hustle?
I look at my young adults and think—how do they even have a chance? They’re working full-time, showing up, trying—and still can’t afford a one-bedroom apartment. That’s not progress. That’s survival on repeat. And if it’s not working for them—and let’s be honest, it’s barely working for us—then what exactly are we holding onto? This country doesn’t prioritize rest. Doesn’t value family time. Doesn’t even honor basic time off the way other places do. That right there should tell us something.
What if life abroad meant...
Paying less and living more?
Having time to rediscover your passions?
Showing your kids a world bigger than the one you grew up in?
Creating instead of constantly recovering from burnout?
This thought isn’t about escapism. It’s about exploration. And while it may seem timely—especially as the world reacts to the chaos stirred by today’s political landscape—my curiosity about living abroad didn’t start here. This has been a quiet longing tucked in the corners of my mind for years. I just never gave it permission to take up space. Until now. It’s not about abandoning the U.S. out of resentment. It’s about wondering what’s possible when you stop trying to force a version of success that leaves you depleted.
I don’t have all the answers. I don’t even have a full plan yet. But I do have the thought. And that’s where it starts.
The thing is... ✨ I'm officially entering my Soft Life Season—a time where I'm curating joy, choosing ease, honoring boundaries, and imagining what life could look like if I chose presence over pressure. Somewhere Else is just one expression of that season—an invitation to ask the questions we’ve been too busy or too afraid to ask. So here I am. Sitting in the maybe. In the what if. In the freedom that starts with curiosity and courage. Not that anything anyone can say can deter me but for conversation's sake and in my new blog series titled Somewhere Else... So let's further this conversation and journey.
🌍 I'm curious to know:
Have you ever thought about moving abroad?
What are the non-negotiables in your relocation budget?
What comforts would be hardest to let go of?
What would it take for you to seriously consider a life outside the U.S.?
How did this article hit you? Drop your thoughts in the comments below 👇
When the student is ready, the teacher appears. That phrase resonates with me as I read your post . Many of my peers dreamed of exploring the world before retirement, but “the matrix” got in the way, and they never got the chance because they are worn out, too ill or dead. It's a tragedy to witness . For me, Africa has always been the ultimate destination. Now, it's becoming a reality and I’m moving on to other horizons. Safety, affordability, and basic comforts are non-negotiable for me. I miss American bathrooms, but I've learned to adapt. Chasing my dreams required a decision, action, and a willingness to step out of my comfort zone." Ms. V😌🤗
Mesha, I am going to miss you and our retie talks. I am so excited for you and your new journey. I pray all goes well! Love you
I love my country, but, to come and find out, it's a toxic relationship. As in, the crap that the U.S. tries to pass as "healthy and safe" is, in fact, killing people. We currently live abroad and, not only are our grocery bills cheaper, but the food is way healthier. The medicine we have in the economy is better as well and the healthcare is way cheaper! The food doesn't contain all the chemicals and sugar the U.S. crams in their food. My health is improving tremendously! So much so, we are trying to find ways to stay.
Mesha, my friend, this is beautiful. I have so many questions! Can I come visit? Are the kids and your Mom excited? I’ll be honest, now that I’m about to become an empty nester, I want to sell my house and travel every month and just work remotely from wherever. I can’t wait to follow along and see what’s next for you!
This is beautiful and well thought out never thought of looking at things that way I think it is a great idea.