Lesson #1 in Moving Abroad

Last week was our 1 year anniversary of officially moving to Panama after a year of nomadic living in the U.S. and Latin America.

I did some reflection of the "lessons" I've learned in the past 365 days of living in a new country. Each week, I'll be sharing with you because I believe these lessons are applicable to almost anything in life, not just moving abroad. 

I'm also doing this as a podcast series of short solo episodes. You can listen on spotify here. 

Two years ago, we packed up our lives, left everything familiar behind, and moved abroad.

It was hard.

Saying goodbye to family, friends, and the comfort of our predictable life wasn’t easy. 

But the idea of staying and living out of alignment was hard. 

Life is full of hard choices. There is no perfect scenario or solution.

And the most empowering part? We get to choose which “hard” we embrace.

Moving abroad wasn’t the easy choice, but it was the one that aligned with my core values and vision for a more fulfilling life. The sacrifices were steep, but so were the rewards—greater freedom, deeper connections, and a stronger sense of purpose.

But here’s the thing—this isn’t just about moving abroad. Life, in any context, is full of choices that challenge us...

It's hard to stay in an unfulfilling job AND it's hard to go pursue your dreams.

It's hard to be a working mom AND it's hard to take a step back in your career to focus on family.

It's hard to be married AND it's hard to end a relationship.

It's hard to work in a corporate job AND it's hard to be an entrepreneur.

 It's hard to live by societal norms and standards AND it's hard to stand confidently in your choices.

It's hard to live in an expensive, metropolitan city AND it's hard to live at the end of the road in the jungle (ok maybe that one's just for me)

 The magic happens when we realize that we’re in control of which path we take.

Everything is hard in some way, but you get to decide what you're willing to work for and to hurt for. 

You may not be thinking about packing your bags and moving to a new country, but maybe you’re facing a different challenge: building a business, pursuing a passion project, or redefining your work-life balance.

Whatever it is, I want to remind you:

You get to choose your hard.

My offering is to really look at your core values and and look at your decision through that lens. 

You can use my freebie to the right to discover your own!

So, what hard will you choose today?

The one that keeps you comfortable but unfulfilled, or the one that feels scary yet true to the life you want to build?

I’d love to hear about the choices you’re facing, and if you’re feeling ready for that next leap, I’m here to help.

With love and courage,

Alicia