Best Cities to Shape You, Shake You and Make You—My Experience Growing Up In 5 Cities

An anchor, a refuge, a pitstop, a parent and my best friend all embodied by different cities who made me who I am today.

The mountains of Bogotá do to the city what Central Park does to New York City: it is its own oasis. A massive, powerful refuge that provides a green escape from the pollution and grayness of a concrete jungle. It calms the overbearing noise of traffic and people yelling in a rush.?

Just one look above and around you and you’ve given yourself a reprieve.?

I really love the city where I was born. I’ve also loved other cities that helped shape and mold me, stretch and challenge me and shake my identity to its core.?

These are the cities that have provided me with solace, expulsion, energy, maturity, freedom and liberation during my lifetime—and some shorter pit stops along the way which have fueled my space for growth.?

I am currently on a whirlwind adventure of experiencing life without a home to my name, and instead have two suitcases and many loved ones’ homes to share across the U.S. I never imagined that I would be on the journey at 57 almost 58, but the universe has a way of putting necessary opportunities for growth in your path.?

What’s going to happen at the end of the road? I don’t know.?

The cities in my life have been dear friends to me—this is how I grew in each of them, maybe it’ll help you question how your most cherished living places have helped, or even hindered, you in your own life.?

Reflecting on the cities who made me who I am today has helped prepare me for all the unknowns that lie ahead. For all the massive insight and life lessons gained from these cities, here’s the full article .?

Here’s to the path behind us, the path that grew us and the road beyond.?

??Bogotá as a Refuge

What I learned:? Bogotá to me is the city that saw my birth and witnessed my first 16 years of life. It’s where I met my childhood friends and where I learned to be a friend. It’s the city where I first found solace: people knew who I was and loved me just the way I was. I could be myself and fit in and didn’t have to explain why I was the way I was to anyone.?

??Charlotte as a Transition?

What I learned: I felt lost because I didn’t understand what was happening. There was nothing horrible about the city but it lives in a dark corner of my mind because of the extreme culture shock and the emotional baggage I carried into it. I’m on the journey to change that narrative to one of peace for myself now.?

??Miami and Atlanta as a Grandparent

What I learned: When I was little, I learned to water ski, ride a bike, play Barbies, speak English and even took back cheerleading with me to Bogotá. As an adult years later, I learned how to stand on my feet, refuel my spirit, navigate getting a job and figure out how I was going to be a single mother.

??Nashville as a Parent

What I learned: Nashville to me is the city that raised me and helped me raise my son. The city welcomed me when I was lost, matured me, helped me expand and grow in every way and helped me become an entrepreneur. I learned how to make and appreciate a chosen family away from home.?

??New York as a Dream?

What I learned: Here I am Marcela. Period. I learned I don’t have to qualify to be anything else.?

I learned to feel more confident, outgoing and courageous here—more me. Not to mention how to fall in love with a city by walking its streets and delving into its atmosphere of acceptance.?

Maybe at the end of these five months, I’ll find myself with a ticket back to New York City. Or who knows? Maybe I’ll be writing from a gorgeous ocean-side apartment in Monte Carlo—letting myself fall in love and be shaped by another city.?

I’ll keep you posted.?

Has any city or cities shaped you? Which one is your favorite or dearest? I’d love to know in the comments below!

Traveling and all these life experiences of living and moving around to different cities and countries has given me a unique edge when it comes to my expertise: multicultural marketing.?

I not only am knowledgeable through life experience and over 30 years of delving into different markets, but my team over at Culture Shift Team combines their strengths in diversity, equity and inclusion to make a true powerhouse framework to shift both your internal and external relationships within your company so you can make a bigger impact where it matters most.?

Come chat with us or DM us to see how we can best help you thrive!?