The Self-Made Trail

Finding Home in an Unexpected Place

I created this newsletter to document my family's journey—our wins and challenges—as we carved out our own path. And if I'm being honest, I failed at that.

For months, I put off writing because admitting that I hadn’t kept up with it felt like admitting failure. I didn’t consistently document our move to Mexico, our travels, or the ways our family has grown closer. I didn’t share the struggles of navigating life in a country we had never been to before, nor did I capture the absolute magic we’ve experienced here.

I failed to write my weekly updates, keep up with social media, and show people that another way of life is possible.

But I was present. I was in the moment with my family, embracing a slower pace, learning from the incredible, caring people of this country, and living exactly how we’ve always wanted to—on our own terms.

And in that presence, we found something we weren’t even fully looking for.

A Community Rooted in Freedom

Here in the Yucatán, we stumbled upon an off-grid community unlike anything we had imagined. It’s a place where people are encouraged to be their authentic selves, to live in alignment with their values, and to sustain themselves without sacrificing community.

There’s no hierarchy, no obligations—just neighbors supporting neighbors. Families from all over the world, including locals, have come together to create something meaningful. The project spans roughly 250 acres, and in just three years, they’ve made incredible progress in developing a self-sustaining way of life.

This kind of community is something Kaitlyn and I have always dreamed about. For years, we’ve built skills that would allow us to live off-grid, but in Canada, it never felt truly attainable. The harsh climate, the lack of like-minded community, and the sheer difficulty of starting from scratch made it feel just out of reach.

But here? It’s possible.

We’re still figuring out exactly what our role in this community will be, how we’ll contribute, and what the next steps look like. But one thing is clear—this is what we’ve been searching for, even when we didn’t know we were looking.

I’ll be sharing more about what we’re learning, the challenges we’re overcoming, and how we’re stepping into this new way of life. If this kind of journey speaks to you, I’d love to hear from you. Hit reply, share your thoughts, or let me know what you want to learn more about.

Because this isn’t just our story—it’s an invitation to explore what’s possible.