Blog Post 12 - 3 Things That Help Me When I Feel Overwhelmed While Abroad

Traveling or living abroad is definitely not always the dreamy, effortless adventure people imagine. I love exploring new places, teaching my language lessons, building my creative projects, and slowly shaping the life I want - but behind the scenes, things can get a little overwhelming at times.

It might be just my personality; my head is always full of ideas (great ideas!) and I want to bring them all to life. At least one big weight fell off my shoulders last week - I have my Peruvian Residency Visa for the coming year!

However, the past week has been full of movement, sudden changes and decisions: last-minute switching Airbnbs, trying to find a long-term place to call home (and hearing very last minute, the dream apartment  slipped through my fingers), keeping up with my online English and Dutch lessons, adjusting schedules, working long hours in cafés, and organising what feels like my entire digital life.

Somewhere in between, I’m editing photos, learning more about social media, trying to build an income, and reminding myself not to undervalue myself or my work.

And of course… I also want to paint.

But time feels tight, and even my colors are running low. I’ll need to go to the city, Cusco, soon to buy more! Sometimes I wish the days had 36 hours instead of only 24. It’s funny - the things that calm us most are often the things we struggle to make space for.

All of it together builds up to this feeling of overwhelm. When I feel like that - I do know - I need to come back to the basics.

1. Walking Through Town & Watching Life Unfold

I walk a lot. It is one of my favourite forms of grounding. Whenever too many to-dos start racing through my mind, I step outside and just walk and breath in the fresh air. I try to focus on my surroundings - the tiny details like the blooming flowers, insects buzzing around, the cows calmly grazing on the grass patch…

Sometimes I just sit on a bench in the plaza and simply watch life unfold: people passing by, people laughing and children playing with scooters and flying their kites. This place is full of life, and I just simply love that.

Just observing reminds me that I don’t have to figure everything out at once. I can just be here, in this moment, breathing.

2. Returning to Nature Whenever I Can

Nature is always the best way to reset my energy.

Like this Saturday - a friend invited me to visit a waterfall, and I instantly knew that was exactly what I needed. A little escape from town, a moment to unwind, to breathe again.

So off we went in a collectivo (those cheap local buses) driving past the cutest little towns that sparked my curiosity to explore more of the Sacred Valley. And the waterfall? One of the most gorgeous ones I’ve ever seen!

We had a lovely picnic with fruit pancakes and lots of fresh fruit. The sound and mist of the dropping water, the strong sun warming out skin, cuddling horses along the way, smelling the wildflowers, and even some spontaneous dancing on the streets of Urubamba - it all brought me back to myself. Back to the present moment. Back to that feeling of letting every worry slide off my shoulders.

Even the shortest moments in nature feel like someone presses a “reset” button on my mind.

Nature always whispers: slow down… breathe… you’re okay.

Catarata Perolniyoc, Valle Sagrado, Cusco, Peru

3. Letting Go of Pressure & Taking One Small Step

I’m learning - slowly - that not everything has to be done today.

Trying to build an income through online teaching, organising my life, staying consistent with my blog, and searching a home… It’s a lot. It’s okay to pause and rest. It’s okay if things don’t go perfectly according to plan.

I have to constantly remind myself this and trust in the process - everything will work out exactly as it should.

Recently, I thought I had found the perfect place to call home. I told the mediator yes, and I was ready to sign… but someone went directly to the owner and secured the apartment before I even had the chance. Just like that, it was gone - and I found myself back at stage one, searching again.

And honestly? That’s life sometimes. But I trust the right home will come - just like the right opportunities will.

One small step at a time.

If you’re reading this and know a business looking for someone creative and multi-skilled for remote work, feel free to reach out. I’m looking for a bit more stability while I continue building everything I’m dreaming of.

Final thoughts

Feeling overwhelmed is not a failure - it’s simply part of the process. It’s a sign that you’re growing, building and it’s a natural part of learning how to navigate through life being an adult. None of us have it fully figured out, and that’s okay.

I’m still figuring things out too - even though a lot of people look at my Social Media with envy. They don’t see the overwhelming parts, the days where everything feels like a lot. But, in the small things - a walk, a quiet moment in nature and a deep breath - I regain my calm and clarity.

Wherever you are in the world, I hope you don’t forget to pause. To breathe. To notice the little moments that bring you back to yourself.

With warmth,
Kimberly 🌻