Beep! Beep! Beep!
After snoozing the alarm several times, you begrudgingly get your ass up, slam back a cup of coffee and join the crazy morning traffic.
The second you walk into the office, you’re frantically putting out unexpected fires all thanks to that lovely incompetent colleague of yours.
4 hours later, the morning’s finally over. Congrats – you survived!
After eating lunch at your desk, your precious afternoon was spent in mind-numbing meetings listening to your manager take credit for your work.
…Why am I still working here again?!…
Well, you got bills to pay, they give you health insurance and the next job could be worse.
So you convince yourself to stay every time this internal debate comes up.
But deep, deep down, you know you’re just too comfortable, you’re scared, or you just don’t know how else life can be like.
Sound familiar?
Once upon a time that was me too.
At its worst, I felt like I was voluntarily going back to jail and telling them to put handcuffs on me 5+ times a week.
…Depressing, I know. (So here’s a dog pic)
I’ve always dreamt of travelling the world, having the flexibility to choose what to do with my time and experiencing ultimate freedom.
So when I finally couldn’t take it anymore, I flip-table, quit-job and left home.
That was in 2018 and I haven’t looked back.
Jump To...
What’s happened since?
Well, these are some of the things I’ve done so far:
- Explored different countries in search of my new home
- Started my spiritual journey
- Dealt with a few heartbreaks
- Crossed off items on my bucket list
- Found my tribe
- Deepened my practice of health & fitness
- Encountered challenges of a transient lifestyle: uprooting, loneliness, uncertainty…etc.
- Learned a ton about digital marketing, mindset, entrepreneurship & people, including myself
It’s been a rollercoaster ride to say the least, but I’ve learned so much and grown exponentially in such a short time.
The old me would have still been at her cubicle feeling frustrated and resentful, spiraling into depression and pandering for freedom.
Although my current reality isn’t perfect…
Anyone who knew the old me can tell you that I’m more present, more positive, and more understanding now.
Simply put, I’m more content because my values align.
So what did I do exactly?
Well, I sought a different lifestyle.
One where I don’t feel enslaved to some faceless corporation.
One where I feel like I’m constantly learning and contributing to a greater cause.
One where I get more flexibility and freedom to do things I care about.
You can break away from the chains and have this lifestyle too – it is NOT beyond your reach.
Honestly, I’m not special. If I can do it, so can you.
The key is…know your why.
What sparked my change?
Death. 
It’s a strange concept – people leaving this earth (and subsequently your life) forever – one I didn’t fully understand nor experience until I was in my mid-20s.
Gramps and I always had a close relationship.
I have fond childhood memories of him, we took vacations together well into my adulthood and I’d tell him all about my boy crushes.
We were THAT tight.
I was beyond devastated when I found out my favorite 88-year-old suddenly passed away.
Shock. Disbelief. Outrage. Heartbreak.
I didn’t even get the chance to say goodbye.
His abrupt departure woke me up – I’ve never been more aware of my own mortality.
It’s true – life is short, and then you die…so I did a 180 and changed my life’s trajectory.
I often ask myself:
If tomorrow’s my last day on earth, would I be happy with my life today?
Am I getting closer to living on my own terms?
Did I really try my best?
Now, answer these questions for yourself.
If you can’t truthfully say yes to all three, why is that? What’s stopping you? What can you do about it?
Maybe you’re not so happy where you are but you’re OK with it.
Maybe you only need a slight change in your environment.
Maybe you need to do a 180 too.
No one knows your situation better than you do, so you decide.
But I do know one thing: no one ever said: “I wish I started later.”
So, if you’re going to do something about…now’s the time.
Your future-self is waiting. Don’t let fear dictate your actions. Show yourSELF what you’re made of.
Why should you care?
Well, you don’t have to…but at least hear me out.
Initially, Beawander was just for me. This was my definition of it:
Beawander
[bee-won-der]
noun
- The documented wanderings of Bea. Mostly to let her family and friends back home know she’s still alive, but partly so she can remember herself.
It was my outlet.
A place I’d write down what I experienced, the mistakes I’ve made and what I’d do differently if I could do it again.
And – surprisingly – people liked it!
I’m no expert, but at least I’ve been there and done that, so I can tell you where the potholes are and how to avoid them.
Treat this as your go-to source for things like:
- Beauty – Where and how to get your pamper on at the best prices
- Eat – What, where, when, how to eat for every meal
- Adventure – What’s fun to do in town, the must-sees & everything else in-between
- Wander – The boring yet important stuff like visa situations, where to meet friends, how to apartment hunt…etc.
Most importantly, it’s written for expats by expats.
- Japan
- Malaysia
- Singapore
- China, HK & Macau
- Thailand
- Taiwan
- Canada
- USA
- Mexico
10. France
11. England
12. Belgium
13. Germany
14. Holland
15. Luxembourg
16. Haiti
17. Jamaica
18. Myanmar
- South Korea
- Australia
- New Zealand
- Fiji
- Maldives
- Nepal
- Mongolia
- Italy
- Greece
9. Spain
10. Switzerland
11. Croatia
12. Turkey
13. Morocco
14. Egypt
15. South Africa
How it's different than a travel blog
- This is not a travel blog…
- You won’t get travel itineraries. Instead, you’ll be equipped with essential, practical information you need in order to set up and live in a foreign city
- You can trust this content because I have lived it personally – you’ll get firsthand, accurate information at the time it’s written
- You get the shortcut – I have done it before and made all the mistakes, so you get the lesson without the trial
- I’m in your shoes. I am also expats/transplants/watchamacallit, soI get you!
My hope in documenting my journey is to inspire you to start your own or help you along with your adventures.
With Love,
Bea
