The first few days were fine. We spent a night in Vancouver, another in Mexico City, and a day on the bus to Oaxaca. And then it wasn't fine.
I was trying to figure out what to do in Oaxaca besides walking around and seeing the markets and architecture. I started feeling restless and frustrated, and I just wanted to go home.
It wasn't until after a few days of what felt like aimless meandering that Mom and I sat down and made a plan—a few more days in Oaxaca, three days in Puebla, and one week in Mexico City. We had figured out places to stay and some things to do in each place. Immediately after that conversation, it felt like the python that had been squeezing my heart was suddenly purged with a torch and sent slithering away with a burnt tail.
After one week of travelling I had discovered the remedy for homesickness. Make a plan and keep busy. However, I've met some other travellers whose methods involve a lot of intoxicated nightlife and result in getting robbed at 3 AM.
When I pictured backpacking in Mexico, I imagined spontaneity, last-minute decisions, and getting lost (in a fun way). But that lack of structure is depressing and super stressful for me. I need something to look forward to, something to work towards. I don't need every day planned out, just enough to keep me going while allowing for downtime and space to be a little spontaneous. That's my sweet spot.
I know different strokes for different folks. Some people fly by the seat of their pants, and I wanted to be like that. There's this sort of romantic filter that's put on the impulsive traveller with zero plans who does what they feel like in the moment. You know, cut to the scene where two travellers meet each other at a bar or a cafe in a foreign country, and one of them asks, "So what are you doing in Vienna?" and the other will throw up their hands in a genuine carefree way and say something like "I have no idea!" with a giant grin on their face.
I admire anyone who travels like that. Maybe I'll work my way towards that. But for now, I need my transportation and hospitality figured out in advance.
Gaelyn
There's never one size fits all to lifestyle or travel style.
Gotta find out what fits you...and yeah, maybe over time & more experience you'll feel comfortable being more spontaneous. But from my perspective, you haven't had to add much structure to already give you noticeably more peace. You still have a lot of leeway for spontaneity in your days.
A little tweak here & there and it'll probably be sublime!