What’s Updates Vol. 7
I know. I know. I’m late by almost an entire week with this What’s Update, but if it’s any consolation Dia de los Muertos fell right in the midst of my usual publish day. Oaxaca was alive for five days straight, marigolds scented the air, altars were on display all over town, and comparsas (parades) filled the streets. It was a non-stop party that I’m still recovering from.
In the whirl of activity, I managed to get out of the city twice in one week. First for a mezcal tour in Santa Catarina Minas and then again a few days later for an authentic Muertos experience in Atzompa. In the in-between, I was dancing in the streets of Jalatlaco to a brass band-led parade, munching on pan de muertos, and meeting up with a slew of people who had all arrived to the city at the same time to experience the sweet, sweet madness.
As things return to a semblance of normalcy again, I’m processing all that unfolded. It was a week that truly tested my social stamina and self-love more than anything else. As an introvert, a swollen city, endless events and invitations, and belonging to several active group chats at once can be a bit overwhelming. So overwhelming, that I actually wound up with a splitting headache for two days straight in the middle of it all.
I put a lot of pressure on myself to be available and to participate, but my body put on the brakes. It was frustrating sitting on the sidelines waiting for my head to stop pounding. It’s not everyday you get to mingle with some of the top travel bloggers in the business or make friends with other travel entrepreneurs who just happen to be in town. These opportunities were dangling right in front of me and I couldn’t get out of bed!
If I’m being perfectly honest though, there was also a sense of guilty relief that I actually had an excuse for my non-participation. The reality of throwing myself into multiple groups of new and accomplished humans re-awakened a few fears and insecurities within me. What if they don’t like me? What if I have nothing to say? What if I don’t fit in? All ridiculous, I know, but there nonetheless.
I did manage to meet up with both groups once, swallowing my fears and squeaking through it to the best of my ability. I wasn’t perfect and I didn’t show up as all of me, but I showed up. And that counts for something. I could focus on all of the moments these past few days that I chose to hide instead and then probably go down a spiral of self-loathing and guilt. Or I can celebrate the moments that I did show up, even if imperfectly.
It’s important to remember that baby steps count too and that the little wins are as worthy of celebration as the big. It’s all forward movement in the right direction. It’s all part of the unique journey I’m on.
Speaking of journey…
One of the more significant events of this past week was realizing that my blog needs a new name. It was brought to my attention by the group of travel bloggers. As much as I’ve come to love Amber Goes Native and it’s double meaning, it’s 2021 and I can’t go around using words like “native” and not expect to eventually receive some backlash. So, I’ve decided to go all in on the path I’m walking. I’d like whatever the new name is to capture the essence of the destination-less journey, one that bears no footprints or follows any pre-determined routes. It’s about living in the moment and carving your own path.
I’ve come up with several name ideas that are available. I’d love your feedback on which one is your favorite, or feel free to pitch me some new ideas if you think of any.
Possible Names:
The Destination-less Journey
No Maps or Foot Tracks (a lyric from the song “Still Wandering” by Bronze Radio Return)
Not Intent on Arriving (from the famous Lao Tzu travel quote)
Still Wandering
Amber the Wanderess
Live it to the fullest,
Amber
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