57. How Immigration, Burnout, and Grief Led Me Back to Myself

In this raw, stream-of-consciousness episode, Mafe opens up about her deeply personal journey from feeling like she didn’t belong anywhere… to realizing that she is her own home.

After leaving Venezuela — not just because of political instability, but also because she couldn’t fully be herself in a culture that felt performative — Mafe spiraled into survival mode. Working obsessively in the service industry and drinking daily to numb the pain of constant change, she lost her sense of stability.

The turning point? A bright yellow book (“You Are a Badass” by Jen Sincero) that sparked the beginning of her self-development journey.

In this episode, Mafe reflects on:

• How losing her mom at 14 shaped her relationship with money, grief, and home
• Why she used to outsource her identity to work, alcohol, and others
• Her decision to leave her apartment of 6.5 years to travel for six months
• What it really means to become your own foundation

This episode explores the universal truth that we are the only constant in our own lives, and the importance of becoming your own foundation rather than seeking belonging externally. It's a powerful reminder that sometimes the biggest act of self-love is learning to be at peace with yourself, wherever you are in the world.

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Let’s Connect

Website | https://mafesalazar.com/

Instagram | https://www.instagram.com/mafesalazar/

Threads | https://www.threads.net/@mafesalazar

Subscribe to the From Tourist To Local Newsletter