From Chaos to Calm: Finding Balance in Mérida

When we decided to move our family to Mérida, we thought we were chasing sunshine, culture, and a slower pace of life. What we didn’t expect was just how much our definition of calm would change.

Back in Canada, mornings were always rushed. We almost always woke up late—especially in the winter when the sun rose later, and it felt impossible to drag ourselves out of bed. Getting the kids ready meant wrestling them into layer after layer of clothing just to get them to the car. By the time we were finally out the door, the day already felt like chaos.

Here in Mérida, mornings look completely different. We rise with the sun a little before 6 a.m., and somehow we actually have energy. It’s easier to wake up when you know it’s going to be beautiful outside. The kids only need one layer of clothes, and instead of shivering through the morning routine, we’re greeted by warmth and light. We drive to school here just as we did in Canada, but without the frantic rush or icy windshields. There’s space for calm, even in the car rides.

Life is still full—don’t get me wrong. There are school runs, work deadlines, and the occasional curveball (like figuring out how to set up utilities in Spanish). But the backdrop has shifted. Even on the busiest days, there’s a rhythm that reminds us to slow down: children laughing in the park, the call of street vendors selling fruit, the golden glow of the evening sun on colourful colonial walls.

The biggest shift hasn’t been geographical—it’s been in us. We’ve gone from measuring life in minutes to measuring it in moments.

Moving abroad isn’t a magic fix for stress. But if you’re open to it, a place like Mérida has a way of teaching you how to pause. To breathe. To savour.

From chaos to calm—this is what we came for, and every day we’re learning to lean into it a little more.

👉 If you’ve ever dreamed of slowing down and finding balance, follow along with us here at The Nest Mérida. We’ll keep sharing our family’s journey—because sometimes, the calm you’re searching for is just a decision away.