Lost and found in 2025

Quietly holding it all together? I just want to let you know that you are not alone in this.

Slowly but surely, the previous year is easing off on me. As I’ve settled into our new country, I can feel the ongoing tension easing its grip… creating space to breathe more freely and headspace to think more clearly. Acting instead of always reacting.

Yes, I lost myself several times over the last year. While I didn’t downplay it, I couldn’t really talk about it either. But yes, now that I am looking back with more distance and feel its hold on me softening, I see and feel the craziness that I (and the family) pulled off.

I am sharing this not to pat myself on the shoulder, but to show you that it’s normal to have times when it feels you are drowning, fully overwhelmed and stressed out. There are times when life takes sudden turns and we feel stuck on an out-of-control rollercoaster.
And no “it will work out, don’t stress” is not helpful when you are in it. Because the truth is… when you are in such times it is hard, worrying, scary, exhausting, draining.

Let me share just a short outline of what was going on behind the scenes:

• The company my husband worked for was undergoing a merger. We hadn’t been in the US long enough to transfer a working visa, so having to leave was looming over us, plus the not knowing whether he would even keep the job or not.
• All of this fell into the final months of my eldest finishing Grade 12 and heading into his IB exams.
• With tremendous help and guidance from our previous school and friends, we eventually ended up back in lovely Oman. (thank you to all who helped in this process, you know who you are, forever grateful). 
• This meant packing up our house in Florida after only 18 months, me flying to Oman with our three kids for five weeks… exams, online schooling for the other two, and trying to keep everyone socially connected and in good spirit. And then bridging another 6 weeks in Europe until…
• …We all moved together to Canada, Greater Toronto area for a new job with a new company.

The stars were thankfully aligned here. We discussed a job change very early on and we are grateful it all worked out in the end. But until we got there visas and schooling kept pushing the timelines and nothing was certain… until it was.

We all moved together to Canada, Greater Toronto area mid July. Had a bit of a breather, followed by the usual expat / newcomer to-dos like registration, driver license change, house hunting, schools, doctors… etc. And it all went somewhat smoothly until the moving company screwed up and it all was hectic again to get settled just before school start.

But we made it…

So, long story short, now that I have some distance and feel settled I can see many lessons lived and learned in there:

• Act when your gut tells you something, don’t wait.
• Ask for help! I could not have done what we did without having had listening ears, guidance and support from others. I am forever grateful.
• Focus on what you have control over… even if it’s just the smallest things, like what’s for dinner, exercising or who you can call for support.
• Carve out time for you, physically and mentally. For me that was going for runs and meditation. Often it was just squeezed in between but I took what I could to not drown.
• You might not see your strength when you are in it, but you keep going. And that is strength!
• Set boundaries. Something I did too late! Wanting to support all in the family I took on and carried more than I should have and I geeh could feel it! 

So, why am I sharing all this? Because too often we are struggling alone, may it be of fear of being judged, appearing weak, not be liked, or not wanting to “burden” others.

My intention with this blog is to normalise that life is not always easy, especially when we are living abroad. It may look so on the outside but it’s damn hard, challenging and lonely at times… and when somebody comes to you and shares her struggles, worries or concerns, please listen. Don’t brush her off with platitudes.

Fact is…life is not always easy and we are allowed to struggle and have worries and concerns.
We should not have to fake it!

Let’s be real and honest about it, especially when it feels hard, because when we do, that’s where the beauty and magic unfolds… in lessons learned, connections made and in realising that indeed are not alone and we are stronger than we thought.

In 2025 I was often scared and worried and stretched to my limit. I felt broken many times.
It made me stronger, yes, but as well a bit harsher which I don’t like. I felt lost and lonely more times than I remember but yet… I dug deep into my “toolbox” and I found myself again.

And writing this down connects me as well to my 2026 word “release”.
It feels like the right time to let go of the pressure, expectations, and resentment I was still carrying.

A lot has happened, been said and done, and all we can do is reflect and learn… and be proud of how far we have come and how far we will still go.

Here’s to gently
finding your ease, (over and over again).

With love,
AK

If this speaks to you, you are very welcome to connect with me on Instagram FindingYourEase, where I share almost daily reflections on life abroad, midlife, finding ease, and navigating the in-between moments.