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- The Social Media Trap
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by Marco Barrio
A digital nomad community exploring the world. The place where we feel at home no matter where our journey takes us.
Got a question or feedback? Please send me an email at [email protected]
Hey U-Co Fam,
We’ve all been there, you’re exhausted after a long day of work (or exploring your favorite city), and the couch is calling your name. Naturally, you reach for your phone, ready to “just check” social media. You glance at your notifications, maybe check out some new followers or likes, then dive into your friends' latest posts.
But after that first minute, you find yourself deep in the rabbit hole of mindless scrolling. Suddenly, you’re consuming an endless stream of content, humor, exciting news, travel inspiration, hoping for that next dopamine hit. TikTok and Instagram know exactly what you’re after and keep serving up more of it. Before you know it, you’ve spent an hour (or more) swiping through post after post, and what’s worse? You don’t even feel satisfied.
The Time Trap
Your attention span shrinks, nothing seems exciting enough, and when you finally put your phone down, there’s an overwhelming sense of wasted time. Sound familiar?
For many of us, it’s hard to even remember the last time we left home or U-Co without our phones in hand. The idea of being unreachable, even for a little while, feels almost alien. Maybe you need it for work, to keep up with clients, or to check in with family. For me, I used to tell myself that as a property manager, I had to be available 24/7, just in case someone needed me. But 90% of the time, no one did.
Try This: A Simple Challenge
Next time you head to your favorite coffee shop, try leaving your phone behind. Sit for an hour or two, read a book, or simply people-watch. You’ll notice things—like the way people walk or the daily runner passing by—that can spark creativity or motivation in ways mindless scrolling never will.
The Social Media Illusion
We all fall into the social media trap. It was our choice to download these apps and stay “connected,” but the reality is that many of us feel more disconnected and anxious than ever. So this week, I challenge you to reconnect, not with your followers or likes, but with yourself and the people physically around you.
The screen often serves as an escape from our own realities, but maybe it's time to look within. Who knows, you might start to like the person you discover when you’re not distracted.
Cheers to stepping outside the scroll!
Marco
Community News
Time flies when you're having fun! Dia de Muertos is just around the corner, and we’ve only got a few spots left. Book your bed today before it's too late, don’t wait until the last minute or you might end up on the couch! 😜
In other news, we visited a beautiful house south of Mexico City that might just become a U-Co next year. I don’t want to spoil it but look at this beautiful architecture.
 |  |
Roma House | Polanco (Diego) House |
|---|---|
Ashwin (USA) | Carlos (Mexico) |
Dylan (USA) | Jose (Mexico) |
Adrien (France) | Juan (Panama) |
Louis (France) | Jose (Mexico) |
Joan (Colombia) | Angelica (Mexico) |
Ginna (Colombia) | |
Daiana (Argentina) | |
Carmen (Australia) | 2 SPOT OPEN FOR OCTOBER |
Federico (Mexico) |
*If you’re looking for a mid-term lease in Mexico City, I’d be happy to help. We’re searching for more housing for you all. Send me an email with your wants/needs.
Great news for all of you looking for long-term housing. We’re launching NEO, holaneo.com. A platform that helps you find a home around the Americas. We’re launching in the US first. So if you’re looking for your next home, give it a try.
2 Cards Charging 0% Interest Until 2026
Paying down your credit card balance can be tough with the majority of your payment going to interest. Avoid interest charges for up to 18 months with these cards.
Events & Experiences CDMX
The best month of the year is here! Let’s have some fun and explore all we can around CDMX.
Accommodations
You have to love the colors of Mexico
Tips, Tricks and News
In this week's edition of the digital nomad newsletter, we delve into the latest tips, tricks, and trends shaping the nomadic lifestyle.
Partnerships
If you or someone you know is considering launching a Hostel, Airbnb, or Coliving property anywhere in the world, feel free to send us a message. We're eager to collaborate with you. UCOGO
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