A Better Life in Mexico, by Queen D. Michelle

 

My name is Queen D. Michele. My 27-year career as an elementary and middle school educator spanned across the US: Michigan, Nevada and Georgia. I retired in 2015 at the age of 52. Shortly after, I began working jobs to supplement my very small pension. it quickly became apparent that my pension was going to cover the rent, and the rent only. There was still the car note, insurance, cell phone, electricity, gas, water, trash, cable and grocery bills to cover monthly. I feared always having to work to supplement my pension until my mind and body wouldn't let me anymore. I feared having to live sub-standardly because of what it would cost me for healthcare insurance. I feared being a burden on my kids. I began visualizing being 70 years old saying, "Welcome to Walmart." We've all seen them in our local neighborhoods, supermarkets, restaurants, movie theaters and airports. Middle-aged women bagging, cashiering, taking orders and greeting. While living in fear and visualizing the worst-case scenarios for myself I came across an in-depth article in “International Living; The Top Ten Places to Retire.” I began researching and visualizing myself living in the places listed. Those visions set in motion my biggest leap of faith ever. 

I researched each one of the top ten for months. I settled on the Lake Chapala area as it checked all my boxes: location, climate, large Expat community and affordability. My research was extensive because as a single Black female moving out of my home country, it was imperative that I landed well. On December 1, 2017, at the tender age of 54, I moved to a quaint little town 30 minutes outside Guadalajara which is the capital of the state of Jalisco. 

One of the very first activities I became involved in living Lakeside was hiking. Two weeks after arriving I started hiking with the local hiking group. I’m 5’1 and weighed over 200lbs when I started hiking in those magnificent magical Mexican mountains. Hiking led to yoga, which led to meditation, which changed the trajectory of my health and wellbeing. I went through a transformation that left me with a new mind, body, and Soul in which to live the rest of my life. 

Shortly after arriving Lakeside, I was inundated with questions from family, friends, and strangers about the how, what, and why of my move. I felt compelled to write (I’ve always loved writing) a book and answer said questions once and for all. The book is entitled Considerations: A Guide for Moving Abroad and it is based on my experience of moving from Atlanta, GA to Jalisco, MX. In the book I wrote about, among other things, how to travel back to my home base Atlanta, Georgia, was a non-stop flight lasting but a few hours. I spoke about the weather in the Lake Chapala region being eternally Spring like. More importantly, I demonstrated how I lived comfortably (lacking no good thing) on my pension of $1,100. The book has been quite successful and has helped many people…. especially retired single Black women considering moving abroad.

Little did I know that writing the book would propel me into my purpose and onto my path in this stage of my life. I am now an international author (I’ve written 3 more books) and blogger. I also created my own brand, Considerations of the Soul. It is uniquely positioned on the leading edge assisting anyone, anywhere who is 1) Seeking spiritual guidance for living and inhabiting a New Earth state of consciousness and 2) Considering Moving Abroad. In both instances, I’m planting seeds and watering plants of encouragement for all Souls to deliberately, intentionally, and energetically create the realities they want to experience in their lives. Living Lakeside, for me, is living my best life.

 

Contact Info

Website: www.considerationsofthesoul.com

Email: considerations2020@yahoo.com

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