The Truth About Starting Over

A Personal Note on the Last Day of 2024

Happy New Year Friend!

As I write this on the last day of 2024, watching the Doha sunset from our apartment balcony, I want to share something honest about this year—including the parts that weren't Instagram-perfect.

January found us happily settled in England. The girls were thriving in their school, surrounded by cousins, and I had finally found my rhythm. After years of building, I had my routine - my favorite grocery store, community of friends, and comfortable life. At just a 6-hour flight from my family in America, it felt like we'd created the perfect balance.

Then March arrived with an unexpected opportunity: Doha.

Here's the truth I haven't shared much: while we made the decision as a family, I struggled deeply with it personally. The Middle East had never been on my radar, but more than that - I was terrified of starting over. Again. I had worked so hard to build my life in the UK. My business was thriving, I had finally found my people, and the thought of restarting everything felt overwhelming.

Even after we decided to move, I found myself going through the motions without fully accepting it. I worried about my business with the time zone changes, about losing the community I'd built, about finding my place in a completely new culture.

The first months in Doha were harder than I expected. While the girls adapted beautifully to their new school and routines, I felt lost. Yes, we had a lovely temporary hotel accommodation, but I missed my familiar grocery store, my coffee shop, my friends who understood my jokes.

It took about two months - two months of feeling uncomfortable, of pushing myself to try new things, of reminding myself that I'd done this before - before I started finding my footing. Moving into our apartment in September helped. Creating a routine of gym sessions after school drop-off gave me structure. Slowly, I began finding my people - other expat parents, business owners, friends who get both the challenges and the joys of this life.

Now, four months after arriving with our six suitcases, I can say something I wasn't sure about in the beginning: this was the right choice. Not just for our family, but for me too. Sometimes growth means letting go of comfortable to embrace possible.

This year taught me that living abroad sustainably isn't just about logistics—it's about being honest with ourselves during the transition. It's about acknowledging the hard parts while staying open to new possibilities. It's about showing our children that adults, too, can be scared and brave at the same time.

As you close out 2024, maybe you're sitting with your own dreams of living abroad, feeling both excited and terrified. Perhaps you wonder if you could really start over somewhere new, find your people again, and rebuild your life in a different country.

I'm here to tell you, with complete honesty, yes, you can. It won't always be easy. There will be days when you miss your old routine desperately. But there will also be moments - like this sunset I'm watching - when you realize that life's biggest gifts often come from our biggest leaps.

Here's to being brave in 2025, Sonaya

P.S. If you're ready to start your family's journey - fears, hopes, and all - join us at the Your Expat Life Summit on January 18th. Early bird pricing ends tomorrow. Let's make 2025 the year your global life begins.