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Taking Care of Yourself in a Different Country

Published on by ashleybmuirheadLeave a comment

It’s easy to get swept up in the rush of things; when you’re traveling abroad, everything feels fresh and exhilarating. The sights, the sounds, the flavors—every moment presents an opportunity for discovery. Sure, it’s important to immerse yourself in new experiences, to say “yes” to adventure, and to embrace spontaneity. However, in the whirlwind of excitement, it’s just as easy to lose yourself in the chaos. Between the fast-paced itineraries, cultural differences, and the constant push to make the most of every second, you might find yourself feeling overwhelmed or disconnected.

Last weekend, I decided to have a “me” day, and honestly, it was the best decision I could have made. I locked myself in my room, put on some of my favorite movies, ordered takeout, and just let myself unwind. No plans, no obligations—just me, doing whatever felt good in the moment. It was exactly what I needed to re-center and reconnect with myself.

I’ve realized that when I don’t carve out time for myself, I start to feel overwhelmed and anxious, like I’m constantly running on empty. And if you’re someone who thrives on social interaction or adventure, it can feel like you should always be out and about, especially when you’re in a new country. But here’s your reminder: It’s okay to stay in. It’s okay to take a step back, recharge, and just exist. Whether you’re traveling or at home, prioritizing your well-being isn’t selfish—it’s necessary.

So, from now on, I’ve made it a goal to dedicate at least one day a week to myself—to do whatever I want, completely on my own. No schedules, no obligations, just me choosing what makes me happy in the moment.

That following Tuesday, I put my plan into action. I hopped on the bus, put on some good music, and let the world fade into the background. I treated myself to a mango and papaya smoothie (which, by the way, was amazing), then made my way to the beach. There, I sat in the sun, listened to the waves, and let myself just be. I even spent some time collecting seashells, something I hadn’t done in ages but found incredibly peaceful.

It was a simple day, but it was exactly what I needed—a reminder that solitude isn’t lonely when you enjoy your own company. Taking time for yourself isn’t just a luxury; it’s a necessity. And I’m excited to keep this promise to myself, week after week.

Moving 6,000 Miles Away is Hard

Published on by kragenwildLeave a comment

Hey! My name is Kragen, and I am writing this from my capsule hotel in Kyoto, on my first night in Japan. I still can’t really believe it. Two planes, two busses, a 15 hour time change, and I’m here. I feel like I’m dreaming, in every sense of the word, due in part because I haven’t slept in 45 hours and can feel myself entering a kind of psychosis, and because I really have been dreaming of this for years. I have a few days before classes start, so I think I should talk about my pre-departure experience. But before that, enjoy these pictures of my very cozy hotel.

Jesse, realizing what I booked for us
POV of the room

Prior to leaving, I was quite a mess. Studying abroad is not just an immense feat of planning, but also a massive mental weight. You can prepare for months, but there just isn’t enough time to properly think of everything, to build a plan so perfect that nothing goes wrong. There will always be something you forget, something you didn’t think of — something that surprises you. And it’s not just that. There are dozens of forms to fill out, visas to apply to, hoops to jump through. After getting caught up in trying to prepare perfectly, I recognized, in hindsight, that I should’ve let go of the idea, and spent more of my time saying goodbye and being around the ones I love while I still had them. The night I left, I started realizing all the little things in my life that I took for granted, which I was about to leave behind. It made me appreciate things more. I’m not very good with being present, but on that final day, knowing a chapter was ending, and that another one was about to begin, there was nothing else to think about but the moment. Saying goodbye was hard, but it would’ve been much harder if I hadn’t been getting wined and dined the whole time.

Chicken sandwich with my girlfriend
Chicken nuggets with my family

A far less reflective part of traveling is packing, which in itself is a skill. A skill I do not have. Packing was particularly tough because, unlike a vacation, my stay is pretty much permanent. I needed to pick my life up, just as it was, and plop it back down thousands of miles away. I’ve never done that before. Not only that, but I needed to completely oust the life I was living back in America. I’ve heard that housing isn’t very fond of you leaving all your stuff in the dorm all summer. I knew it would be painful, the simultaneous moving-and-packing maneuver, but I still wasn’t prepared for just how much it would suck. Others might not find it as hard, but I had the brilliant idea of buying the largest and most precariously built LEGO set ever made, without ever considering that I would eventually need to move the 5,000 piece hunk of plastic.

All of my LEGOs wrapped up, banana for scale
The van heading home with all my extra stuff

Now, finally, all that is behind me, and this new chapter I’ve been blabbing on about has actually begun. I’m here in Japan. I feel extremely jetlagged, like I’m out of place, and like my head is screwed on backwards after all that travel. You know that feeling when there’s something you’re forgetting, but you can’t remember what? That’s been my default since I got here. I think I just need a little time to assimilate. Until next time!