I’ve seen plenty of criticisms from the online anarchist community about Anarchapulco. Two of the most common I've seen: “Why spend all that time and money to attend an echo chamber?”, or the more ironically egotistical, “I don’t want to be subjected to all those self-important ‘celebritarians’.” Of course, these criticisms are usually lobbed by people who have never actually attended an Anarchapulco event. Here’s what I’ve gained from attending so far and why I never plan to miss another one.

1: I received validation.

I know the critics who rail against the echo chamber of ideas. But they are missing the point of connecting with like-minded people. The daily grind for most of us includes being surrounded by statists and it’s easy to begin to think that voluntaryism and anarchy are just philosophical ideas that are constantly thwarted. When you are surrounded by a few hundred people who are on the same page, many of them living examples of anarchism, you being to feel a sense of validation, hope, even optimism. If you think you don’t need validation from anyone I think you’re lying to yourself. Yes, I’m secure enough to be able to stand up for ideas that may not be popular. I’m not a co-dependent. I’m actually a confident and secure person these days. I can be in a “no fucks given” state much of the time. But only a sociopath truly disregards any form of approval or validation of ideas. If you think you don’t need validation from anyone anytime, ever- then why is solitary confinement or ostracism so horribly damaging to the psyche?

2: I learned a lot.

If you think you’ve got it all figured out. You’re screwed. Anarchapulco brings together some great minds. Highly intelligent people who spend a lot of time learning about specific subjects. Many of them are not even the speakers from the stage, just the folks having conversations while sipping a Pina Colada next to the pool. I learned information there that made me enough money to pay for the entire trip and then some. This isn't hyperbole. I literally came home with more money than I left with. (There’s another story there for a future post- stay tuned)

3: I was inspired to take further actions to promote freedom in my own life.

It’s no coincidence that I’m finally active on Steemit after a year of stagnation. Before the last Anarchapulco, I had fallen into a rut of thinking inside the box. I owned a business I was trying to sell and planned on working until I “saved up enough money to do X, Y, and Z.” But I’m 42 and ready for freedom now. Not later when I save up a pile of money. Not when I can replace my income with a location independent one. I saw with my own eyes people who are living life mostly on their own terms, with less than I have. Having money is a great thing, but having creativity and a willingness to act on your ideas is priceless.

4: It’s sunny and warm and the food is fresh...in February.

Duh.

5: I believe we exist in order to have experiences .

If you haven't experienced a tropical climate...

...an open-air market of locally sourced food...

...or climbed ancient pyramids. You should. It will change you. It changed me.

You might not notice from this photo- I'm standing on the very top of the Pyramid Del Sol, the third largest pyramid in the world. Behind me is Pyramid De La Luna.

6: I met my other family there.

Kieran and I go back a few years, but only through the Voluntary Virtues show we used to co-host and occasional Facebook chats. The first Anarchapulco was the catalyst that brought us together to connect in person. We met Chris and Amy there and shared a day out on a small yacht with a handful of other awesome people (an amazing day I’ll share on a future post). I think for every one of us on the boat, that day is a lifetime highlight. It was that great. And now they are my family. We have common ideals. Common goals. We’ve got each other’s back. We feed off each other’s ideas and we make each other laugh so hard it hurts. We have a future together.

Chosen families are the best!

----- The energy that I left with last year was felt by many. I’ve attended hundreds of conferences. That’s not a typo. I was a seminar junkie in my 20’s. Hungry for knowledge and seeking ways to develop myself. 100% of the time, I left inspired but proceeded to return to my old patterns. Anarchapulco is different. I have seen people who were there begin to implement plans. I’ve seen them making changes. Doing the work. Breaking their chains. My friend Leslie is just one example. It’s now September and I have been on fire since February. Creating. Learning. Growing. Working. Investing. Breaking free. (As always, click on any image to see full size) (disclaimer: I don’t work for the Anarchapulco event, nor do I have anything personally to gain by trying to sell you on the idea of going. But my mission in life is to develop self-ownership in myself and in others. I believe attending this event and really making an effort to connect to people there can change your life. I know it has mine.) Anarchapulco Event Information For the newbies: Hello! I'm Cody Limbaugh. I encourage self-ownership, personal development, and living a life full of the best experiences. I write about it on Steemit and LiveAllYourLife.com

Subscribe in both places as I have exclusive content on each! Comming Soon: only on my Steemit page- Free 6 Week Drawing Course! and only on LiveAllYourLife.com: Uncut GoPro footage of my motorcycle ride through the Blue Mountains of Eastern Oregon! I'm also honored to be one of the 1st4 of the Anarchist Brotherhood Motorcycle Club - which you'll be seeing a lot of if you follow my writing and videos!