see life through an entirely different lens.

Learning through discomfort

Living abroad wasn’t just about enjoying street food and exploring temples. It also meant confronting the awkwardness of not speaking the language and the vulnerability of being a newbie in town. At first, I struggled with simple tasks like speaking to cab drivers or ordering food without accidentally asking for something off-menu. Everything was an unknown, and that sense of unfamiliarity pushed me to grow in ways I never had back home.

As I settled into my new routine, I realized how much of my identity had been tied to job titles and professional milestones. Without those labels, who was I? Cal Newport, known for his work on “deep work,” suggests that stepping away from constant busyness can open up space for self-reflection. Without the daily barrage of Slack messages and meeting reminders, I found myself more in tune with my own thoughts. It was like wiping a foggy mirror and finally seeing my reflection clearly.

The psychology of stepping outside your comfort zone

It’s hardly a secret: spending time abroad often enhances things like self-concept clarity and perspective. That aligns with what I felt. The moment you’re uprooted from everything familiar—your language, your social circle, your usual grocery store—you’re forced to examine which parts of you are truly “you” and which parts are borrowed from your environment.

I’d never realized how much I’d let my environment define me until I was in a place where no one recognized my face or cared about my corporate achievements. It was refreshing and unsettling all at once. But each time I overcame a small cultural barrier—figuring out local buses, negotiating a better price at the market, or learning a new Thai phrase—I gained a sense of agency I hadn’t felt in years.

traveler, an accidental Thai speaker, and a full-time observer of life. That fluid sense of identity was liberating—it showed me that who we are can change with our surroundings and our choices.

I wasn’t leaving California just to run away from stress; I was moving toward a life driven by curiosity, learning, and authentic experiences. That “why” kept me going on days when I felt completely out of my comfort zone. It was like a compass pointing me toward my next personal breakthrough

Putting it all together

At 41, I realized I could no longer measure my worth by a paycheck. And that’s the gift of stepping away from a life that was comfortable but unfulfilling. It let me see myself clearly, question my old assumptions, and open the door to a new definition of success—one based on growth, curiosity, and genuine connections.

If you’re feeling stuck, consider changing your scenery—whether it’s moving cities or simply shaking up your routine in your hometown. When we step away from the familiar, we often find the parts of ourselves that have been hidden under layers of habit and expectation. Because at the end of the day, life isn’t about how many figures are on your salary—it’s about who you become when you dare to explore your own potential.

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5719943&forum_id=2#48900758)

https://dmnews.com/mal-i-tried-living-the-digital-nomad-life-in-thailand-and-it-wasnt-all-its-cracked-up-to-be-heres-what-no-one-tells-you/

(http://www.autoadmit.com/thread.php?thread_id=5719943&forum_id=2#48901000)