Known from scratch: Moving to Mexico and finding a new way to belong

Mark Arcuri turned 65 in mid-July at a dinner with friends who were Mexican, gathered in their own country. He had imagined belonging would come from other immigrants, but it came from people of the culture he moved into as a guest. Growing up, Mark was insecure about his identity and kept the fuller version of himself out of view, leading to loneliness.

Moving to Querétaro, a new country, allowed him to present his true self without fear of judgment. The people there welcomed him without question and helped him become closer to them. Mark now steps forward and retreats cleanly, showing more of himself while still being an introvert. He realized that the price of moving to a new country was not starting over alone, but rather finding people who knew the real him.

The article highlights the experience of Mark Arcuri, an integrative wellness coach based in El Refugio, Querétaro, as he transitions to a new life in Mexico and finds a sense of belonging.