Tag: culture and traditions

Most mornings feel flat, like I’m just going through the motions. I make coffee, scroll my phone, and nothing feels real. But then I think about the life I had when I lived abroad—how even simple things felt new and meaningful. I remember walking through markets, hearing languages I didn’t know, sitting in cafes with no pressure to rush. That life made me feel awake. I don’t want another quick trip or break from routine. I want a life that feels like it matters—where I’m curious again, where things make sense, and where I feel like myself.

I used to say we stayed in the U.S. for family. It sounded noble. Responsible. Like something a good daughter, mother, or sister would say. But after moving back from South Korea and spending a year and a half trying to make that reason feel true, I’ve started to question…

After years of staying for family, I’ve realized leaving America—at least part-time—offers the space to feel present, free, and fulfilled. Living abroad isn’t about escape. It’s about choosing a slower rhythm, deeper connection, and a version of life that feels more honest than what I’ve settled for here.