Personal note from Sonaya.
This week, I was reminded of something I posted a year ago on social media:
A quick video I recorded in Doha, where I quietly admitted that expat life can feel really lonely.
I remember that version of me so clearly.
Everything felt new… but not in a good way.
The girls hadn’t adjusted to school.
I was juggling the weight of “did we make the right decision?”
We had no rhythm, no flow, just a lot of figuring it out on the fly.
And now, one year later?
I feel like a different person.
I’ve found my community.
I’ve hit my rhythm in the business.
The girls are thriving and fully involved in school and their activities.
Duane and I are in sync, including intentional date nights, not just passing glances between school runs and dinner dishes.
I go out with friends for dinner and drinks at least twice a month, something I didn’t think I’d find so quickly here.
I spend time at beach clubs without guilt, no longer hustling for every hour of rest.
Even my mom has come to visit us in Qatar (something I worried might never happen)… and she’s already planning her next trip back in January.
It’s wild what can happen in just one year.
What shifts when you make the move and give yourself time to settle.
If you’re in your “is this the right decision?” season, I promise I’ve been there.
And if you’re still standing at the edge, unsure whether to start, let this be your reminder:
So much can change in 12 months.
But only if you start moving now.
With love from this side of the story,
Sonaya
This week in Your Expat Life
On the Podcast.
She Moved to Portugal in a Pandemic. It Changed Everything.
In this powerful episode of Your Expat Life LIVE, Nancy Whiteman shares how leaving the U.S. during political unrest led her to an entirely new vision for life, community, and aging abroad.
If you’ve ever wondered what reinvention could look like later in life, this is a must-listen.
On Life Abroad.
What Do You Do When Nowhere Feels Safe?
In light of recent events, from school shootings to political violence, I wrote a reflection on fear, safety, and why I still feel more at ease living abroad.
It’s honest, personal, and a reminder that choosing peace isn’t weakness, it’s wisdom.
Tools For Your Journey
Your plan to move abroad doesn’t start with a visa. It starts with a mindset shift.
Beyond Borders is a 3-week email course that helps you turn your family’s quiet dream of moving abroad into a real, doable plan.
Inside, you’ll get:
✔️ Personal stories and strategies from my family’s journey across the UK, Denmark & Qatar
✔️ Worksheets that guide you through the emotional, financial, and logistical decisions
✔️ Clear steps to start involving your kids, reframing your fears, and taking action
Because freedom isn’t a fantasy. It’s a plan and it can start today.