(I care about staying well in this pandemic, so I just wanna say right off the bat that I'm double vaccinated and still take COVID precautions.)

Hi, I'm Anna! Or Snanna, whatever :)

I'm here in Mexico to gently challenge myself and figure out what kind of changes I can make in my life. I used to work in mental health/homelessness but I burn out so I'm trying some new things.

Chronic pain and anxiety are challenges in my life that have changed or interrupted my travel plans or the way I envisioned travelling in the past, but they've also helped me grow in many other ways that I'm happy to share. So as a guest, I'm independent, and I promise you don't need to make care of me! I may just go at a slower pace than you and need to rest more often. I also can't do a lot of physical activity or go out and party until all hours of the morning, so if that's the kind of host or guest you're looking for, we may not be the best fit :) I'll be honest that meeting new people through CS is anxiety-provoking for me, but here I am trying!

I enjoy meditation and yoga for my own self-care, but I'm also highly interested in evidence-based scientific research and I don't do well with the large amounts of cultural appropriation or cult-like behaviour I come across in these areas. I don't believe in "good vibes no matter what", I find critical thinking and vulnerability more empowering! I want to hold on to my passion for life amidst all of its complexities and painful, unjust parts.

I enjoy meeting people from all places and walks of life. Plus I'm also curious to meet others from my same background (post-Soviet diaspora), especially since we're the first generation forming it. I also love discussing anything that inspires ecological change or breaks down sexist, racist, ableist, homophobic or transphobic attitudes.

In 2016, I fostered my first cat and since then I have been discovering firsthand the joys of spending time with animals. Any opportunity to take care of animals, especially in the context of wildlife rehabilitation or therapeutic settings is something I would be more than happy to volunteer to do!

What else? Oh, I love the feel of the fuzzyness that accumulates in the lint trap. Heh heh. Fuzzy.

Por qué estoy en Couchsurfing

"Because people are just people, people are just people, people are just people like youuuuu" - Regina Spektor
(And there have been so many times when I've forgotten this)

To share kindness, friendship and make the uncertainty of travel all worth it!

Intereses

* Puns/humour/storytelling/spoken word/theatre
* Human rights, social issues, equity
* Psychology, mental health and learning disabilities
* The beauty of our minds and the diversity of life, and the reasons behind why we do the shit we do, time and time again! (and how we can heal from trauma/abuse and be resilient)

Música, películas y libros

"Outside of a dog, a book is man's best friend. Inside of a dog, it's too dark to read." - Groucho Marx. I love public libraries and the extensive library system is probably something I'll always miss about Toronto.
I've always loved escapes for my imagination, so movies and music are so important to me too, as long as there's lots of strong character development.

Algo increíble que he hecho

* Unexpectedly coming across fireflies on a summer's night
* I slept through an earthquake as a kid and I survived almost drowning in a rip current (resaca) on Mexico's Pacific coast. (Please be careful if you're heading out there, guys!)
* Marvelling at stars in the sky and their reflection in the water in rural areas minimal electricity at night
* Found myself at the dark bottom of the sea of my thoughts and emotions and then swam back up to the surface (i.e. survived severe depression. it's a metaphor i tried hard to cobble together, people!)

Enseña, aprende, comparte

I don't need to have a larger than life experience with the most "unique" travellers, I'm happy to just spend a nice time with someone great to talk to.

Qué puedo ofrecer a los anfitriones

English/French/Russian help and practice, cleaning and organizing assistance, pet care, discussions on mental health and the existential stuff that may accompany it...

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