#126 – Four things I Learned About Storytelling from Moving to Mexico City
For the winter
I moved to Mexico City in late December. It’s partly why I’ve made the newsletter bi-weekly, to allow room for greater exploration (and to learn Spanish). But being here just over a month has already taught me so much about this thing I love called storytelling. I thought I’d share with you four key lessons I’ve learned about storytelling.
1. Go Slow – Let the Story Unfold.
This one was forced upon me. I’ve been trying to learn Spanish since I was 19 and still struggle with the language. I’m taking language classes here, but the only way for me to speak and be understood is to go slowly. To give my tongue time to catch up with my brain which is almost always moving too fast. There’s no rush the city seems to be saying, even the people on the streets move at a slower pace than I’m used to. But rather than be impatient and push, I’m slowing down and as a result NOTICING so much more. My story is unfolding in new ways as a result.
2. The Idea of Home Shifts As You Do
Defining home has been an ongoing adventure for me. The “where” of my four w’s has changed a lot over the past few months and so, as a result, has my story. It’s an exciting place to be. First I moved apartments in Toronto, then cities in Ontario then countries and apartments within Mexico City. Every move has helped me better understand the types of spaces and places I need to thrive. It’s disorienting but highly educational. Sometimes you have to move to see and understand the meaning of place and home in your story. I am in love with this city. In a way I never thought I would be, I left for a short work trip and missed it. I would have never have guessed the intensity of my emotions for this place. And that will definitely have long term implications on the story of my life and how I tell it moving forward.
3. Rest & Play Are Essential for…Everything
January was a month I intended to focus on rest. Instead I had a three exciting client projects come up at once. And sort of pile on top of each other. I haven’t gotten the chance to really immerse myself in the city in the ways I want to—to slow down in it and integrate the rhythyms. So even when I’m away from my context some habits, like not resting and avoiding play, need to be made intentional. Because every time I have embraced rest or play here, I’ve slowed down, I’ve learned something new and gained a different perspective. It really is essential stuff.
4. Our years are our stories
To describe your age in Spanish you don’t say I “am” a certain amount of years, the translation is actually, I “have” a certain amount of years. You carry your years with you. I made a post on insta about this lesson that you can watch here.
Remember when I said you need to live a life to share a story? Well that’s what I’m doing here and doubling down on the idea. I’m here in Mexico City making a story. I don’t know where it’s going to lead just yet, but that makes it all the more interesting. I’m on the road to transformation and am excited (and a little scared) about it.
A Story Told (Your Own… Again…I Hope)
I’m hosting a webinar tomorrow at 12pm and 4pm EST. All about career storytelling. I’m sharing what I’ve learned over the course of my career in storytelling to help others craft their own path and communicate in compelling ways about their careers. This was born out of a project I did with a client helping executives in the film industry clarify and share their career stories as they worked to advance in their fields. The 1:1s I got to do with participants was so fulfilling and truly helped them get clear on how to move themselves forward in a particularly challenging industry.
I decided I couldn’t keep all that goodness to a select few. So I developed this webinar to help people tell their unique stories, stand out, and create the career of their dreams through storytelling. This is your last chance to join. There is a small cost ($25)—I hope you’ll invest a little in truly transformational knowledge I’ve helped a ton of folks (in work and my personal life) use to shape their careers. Learn more and save your spot here. (it’s at both 12pm and 4pm EST so you have options!) Hope to see you there.