I love love LOVE these stories…so many of them resonate with me! For me, I think I’d have to agree with Georgie that the biggest break was just getting here - sometimes that’s the biggest obstacle many people seem to face and after that, it’s all kind of gravy. I mean - I’ll be honest - I’ve had some of my toughest, darkest, loneliest times while living here…but in the end, I feel like I probably wouldn’t have experienced that back in “the world” because I would’ve been too preoccupied with mortgage payments and car payments and laundry and day care expenses, etc., etc., etc….When I first moved to Koh Phangan someone that had been there a while told me, “Your shit comes up and at you fast here because there’s nothing else to distract you so get ready to deal with it!” I have definitely experienced some of the darkest, loneliest times of my life here…but in the end, they lead me to be more of the person that I have always aspired to be and I honestly don’t think I would have had that opportunity or gift if I was still back home.
I've lived abroad for many many years, in Asia and Indonesia. For me just living away from the Western system and mindset is the biggest brake, to live free. I've always had the most incredible luck when it comes to houses and land. Really beautiful and ridiculously cheap. I'm always lucky!! So many breaks 💔
Living abroad in short stints helped me finally take the leap into being self employed. I knew I had to turn my past employers into my future clients…and it worked! Now I’m freelancing and living in Southeast Asia for the foreseeable 🎉
I came backpacking to Thailand in my early 20s and my French boyfriend broke up with me during my trip. I was devastated for a few days, drank far too much sangaom while I cried on my poor cousins shoulder until I realized what a blessing it was to be lost in the world with no possessions and no plan. I fell in love with this country and moved to bangkok where my dad grew up, discovering so much about myself and my heritage. Years later I moved back after a few years in Europe, this time with my husband amd a bun in the oven. From Chiang Mai to Koh phangan it's been a wild ride but one I wouldn't change for the world. So embrace the heartache and thank those ex-boyfriends, ladies! They always lead to a better version of yourself and allow for more of life's great adventures.
Love reading all the wonderful stories shared here. For me my biggest break was the job I landed in 2020, working fully remote for an international company.
When I moved to Spain I had to teach English in order to live here, I was basically sponsored teaching. It was a huge leap of faith deciding to move here knowing that I'd have to do a job I wasn't crazy about and hope that in the long run something would work out. When I could finally modify my visa to get working rights to work anywhere (after 4+ years of teaching English) I almost instantly landed this job and it was from a LinkedIn post! I had been worried I'd have to move to Madrid or Barcelona to get a job and I managed to find this fully remote gig so I could stay in Sevilla. I still pinch myself sometimes. I love what I do and I love where I live, the gratitude for that is something that lives within me in every moment.
Ah good memory! :) That was a side gig that I did while teaching English…that job I liked so much that I still do it every once and awhile just for fun. But the dream job I landed was working for an international company remotely. They have US & European clients so the best part is I can work a normal schedule here in Spain, and when I visit the US I can also work from there!
I have always been a traveler. I was born with a backpack, ready to go anytime, anywhere (according to my parents!). I chose to settle down in Thailand, over 13 years ago. I moved here with my 2 children and their dad. Today, it's just me. So much has happened. Good and bad. Great and awful. Inspiring and disappointing. The life here is a never ending roller coaster. It's empowering and draining. I believe all expat lives are similar in many ways. The joys and the struggles are intense.
But I don't think I would have it any other way ;)
My biggest break is probably happening now. I feel like I am finally getting to where I am supposed to be. I am about to start a new job that I know I am going to enjoy doing very much ,and is going to allow me to have more time to take care of myself, enjoy this beautiful place I call home and spend quality time with the people I love. I met an amazing man when I really wasn't expecting it and we have been in love for 3 years now. We are (fingers crossed) about to get a land near the beach to build our future home. It's all coming together.
Getting "stuck" on Koh Phangan during covid was the absolute best thing that ever happened to us! We were only meant to be here for a 3 week holiday in March 2020 but due to lock down, we were here for 4 months. I needed to do a crafty class as my hands needed something to keep them entertained, so I signed up for a few days silversmithing class. Absolute game changer, I literally had a light bulb moment that I knew this was my career path I needed to take! My hobby was about to take a massive turn to professional - Love what you do and do what you love 😍
We got engaged here during covid too, so it holds a very special place in my heart.
My then fiancé was also given the opportunity to finish his online uni degree on a fancy computer and the owner saw his potential and offered him a job. Doing his dream job. In paradise! We couldn't of been happier to be given this opportunity, to leave our boring and mundane life in the UK and set up here. Fast forward 4 years, we recently got married here (best day ever!) have been living here blissfully for years now, feel totally supported and loved by our wonderful community & friends. Hubby is excelling at his job with an incredible and talented team of villa constructors, I'm now a full time jewellery designer, creating beautiful custom jewellery pieces on a daily basis and things couldn't be better for us. I can 1000% recommended making the big move to Koh Phangan. The people, the culture, the food, the mentality... It's all so very different to the UK, but that's why we love it! Yes, there are pros and cons to being on a tiny Thai island, but you learn to adapt and overcome. It's not all about the "stuff" you have, but how you live your life and how you can effect people, in the best possible sense 💞 it's nice to be nice
I’ve been bitten by the adventure bug at a very young age. Staying put in one place was never my thing. I’ve needed to discover new people and strange customs. It helped shape my mind when I was young and helps to keep me young now that I’m old. There is something to be said for being pushed out of your comfort zone. It has helped me professionally and personally. I can only recommend to taking a step towards the unknown, it is rewarding beyond our imagination. 🤗
think that one of the strongest things that grips me about moving to Asia and making the dream come true is the meeting between the dream and the difficulties of reality in action.
I find that you have to relearn yourself and create your own rules about everything because you live in a completely different world than you used to know with a different rhythm and different standards. On the other hand, you are in a sense of complete freedom of choice, which is a great way to develop.
My break every day is at different angles and I'm learning it as I go. One thing is certain, not everyone is built for such a journey and it is a piece of journey full of colors
I love love LOVE these stories…so many of them resonate with me! For me, I think I’d have to agree with Georgie that the biggest break was just getting here - sometimes that’s the biggest obstacle many people seem to face and after that, it’s all kind of gravy. I mean - I’ll be honest - I’ve had some of my toughest, darkest, loneliest times while living here…but in the end, I feel like I probably wouldn’t have experienced that back in “the world” because I would’ve been too preoccupied with mortgage payments and car payments and laundry and day care expenses, etc., etc., etc….When I first moved to Koh Phangan someone that had been there a while told me, “Your shit comes up and at you fast here because there’s nothing else to distract you so get ready to deal with it!” I have definitely experienced some of the darkest, loneliest times of my life here…but in the end, they lead me to be more of the person that I have always aspired to be and I honestly don’t think I would have had that opportunity or gift if I was still back home.
I love this, and feel so similar! And isn't it cool to discover you actually kinda like what you find? 🤩
I've lived abroad for many many years, in Asia and Indonesia. For me just living away from the Western system and mindset is the biggest brake, to live free. I've always had the most incredible luck when it comes to houses and land. Really beautiful and ridiculously cheap. I'm always lucky!! So many breaks 💔
You put it out there babe! And we are all so lucky to know you too :)
Living abroad in short stints helped me finally take the leap into being self employed. I knew I had to turn my past employers into my future clients…and it worked! Now I’m freelancing and living in Southeast Asia for the foreseeable 🎉
And killing it too! You're a total inspo babe.
I came backpacking to Thailand in my early 20s and my French boyfriend broke up with me during my trip. I was devastated for a few days, drank far too much sangaom while I cried on my poor cousins shoulder until I realized what a blessing it was to be lost in the world with no possessions and no plan. I fell in love with this country and moved to bangkok where my dad grew up, discovering so much about myself and my heritage. Years later I moved back after a few years in Europe, this time with my husband amd a bun in the oven. From Chiang Mai to Koh phangan it's been a wild ride but one I wouldn't change for the world. So embrace the heartache and thank those ex-boyfriends, ladies! They always lead to a better version of yourself and allow for more of life's great adventures.
Oh to be 20 again with no possessions and no plans!!! What a feeling eh?
Love reading all the wonderful stories shared here. For me my biggest break was the job I landed in 2020, working fully remote for an international company.
When I moved to Spain I had to teach English in order to live here, I was basically sponsored teaching. It was a huge leap of faith deciding to move here knowing that I'd have to do a job I wasn't crazy about and hope that in the long run something would work out. When I could finally modify my visa to get working rights to work anywhere (after 4+ years of teaching English) I almost instantly landed this job and it was from a LinkedIn post! I had been worried I'd have to move to Madrid or Barcelona to get a job and I managed to find this fully remote gig so I could stay in Sevilla. I still pinch myself sometimes. I love what I do and I love where I live, the gratitude for that is something that lives within me in every moment.
Good for you!! And the job you landed is giving tours. Is that right? Sounds like such a fabulous life!
Ah good memory! :) That was a side gig that I did while teaching English…that job I liked so much that I still do it every once and awhile just for fun. But the dream job I landed was working for an international company remotely. They have US & European clients so the best part is I can work a normal schedule here in Spain, and when I visit the US I can also work from there!
Oh that's great! What does the company do?
It’s a social media management company! 🙂 I work in account management and analytics.
I have always been a traveler. I was born with a backpack, ready to go anytime, anywhere (according to my parents!). I chose to settle down in Thailand, over 13 years ago. I moved here with my 2 children and their dad. Today, it's just me. So much has happened. Good and bad. Great and awful. Inspiring and disappointing. The life here is a never ending roller coaster. It's empowering and draining. I believe all expat lives are similar in many ways. The joys and the struggles are intense.
But I don't think I would have it any other way ;)
My biggest break is probably happening now. I feel like I am finally getting to where I am supposed to be. I am about to start a new job that I know I am going to enjoy doing very much ,and is going to allow me to have more time to take care of myself, enjoy this beautiful place I call home and spend quality time with the people I love. I met an amazing man when I really wasn't expecting it and we have been in love for 3 years now. We are (fingers crossed) about to get a land near the beach to build our future home. It's all coming together.
But the road was F#*"ing tough!
I can attest to that!!! So proud of you babe. You've come so far, and it's been cool to be by your side through it all.
Getting "stuck" on Koh Phangan during covid was the absolute best thing that ever happened to us! We were only meant to be here for a 3 week holiday in March 2020 but due to lock down, we were here for 4 months. I needed to do a crafty class as my hands needed something to keep them entertained, so I signed up for a few days silversmithing class. Absolute game changer, I literally had a light bulb moment that I knew this was my career path I needed to take! My hobby was about to take a massive turn to professional - Love what you do and do what you love 😍
We got engaged here during covid too, so it holds a very special place in my heart.
My then fiancé was also given the opportunity to finish his online uni degree on a fancy computer and the owner saw his potential and offered him a job. Doing his dream job. In paradise! We couldn't of been happier to be given this opportunity, to leave our boring and mundane life in the UK and set up here. Fast forward 4 years, we recently got married here (best day ever!) have been living here blissfully for years now, feel totally supported and loved by our wonderful community & friends. Hubby is excelling at his job with an incredible and talented team of villa constructors, I'm now a full time jewellery designer, creating beautiful custom jewellery pieces on a daily basis and things couldn't be better for us. I can 1000% recommended making the big move to Koh Phangan. The people, the culture, the food, the mentality... It's all so very different to the UK, but that's why we love it! Yes, there are pros and cons to being on a tiny Thai island, but you learn to adapt and overcome. It's not all about the "stuff" you have, but how you live your life and how you can effect people, in the best possible sense 💞 it's nice to be nice
What an inspirational story! Talk about rolling with things, going with the flow, and life working out beautifully.
I’ve been bitten by the adventure bug at a very young age. Staying put in one place was never my thing. I’ve needed to discover new people and strange customs. It helped shape my mind when I was young and helps to keep me young now that I’m old. There is something to be said for being pushed out of your comfort zone. It has helped me professionally and personally. I can only recommend to taking a step towards the unknown, it is rewarding beyond our imagination. 🤗
Yes you have so many interesting experiences from living abroad in so many different locations. Thanks for sharing!
think that one of the strongest things that grips me about moving to Asia and making the dream come true is the meeting between the dream and the difficulties of reality in action.
I find that you have to relearn yourself and create your own rules about everything because you live in a completely different world than you used to know with a different rhythm and different standards. On the other hand, you are in a sense of complete freedom of choice, which is a great way to develop.
My break every day is at different angles and I'm learning it as I go. One thing is certain, not everyone is built for such a journey and it is a piece of journey full of colors
And you have definitely been tested to the limit!! I'm so impressed by your resilience. Your daughter is blessed to have such strong parents :)