Reset Your Routine, Reset Your Life

One of the most underrated gifts of moving abroad is the chance to hit the reset button on your life not just your address.

When you’re in the same place for years, your routines become so ingrained you barely notice them. You wake up, go through the motions, and suddenly realize whole months and even years have passed without you feeling truly present.

But the moment you step into a new country, your entire environment changes and with it, your habits have the power to change, too. And yes mine did.

This isn’t just about adjusting to a new time zone or learning where your nearest colmado is. It’s about intentionally redesigning the way you live your life.

Why Moving Abroad Is the Best Time to Redefine Your Habits

When you arrive in a new country, everything feels fresh: the streets you walk, the sounds outside your window, even the way people greet each other.

This disruption from your old routine creates a rare window of opportunity to:

• Break old patterns that weren’t serving you

• Adopt healthier habits more easily (because nothing feels “set in stone” yet)

• Build a lifestyle that reflects who you want to be now

Think of it like starting a new notebook you get to decide what the first page will say.

Step 1: Identify the Habits You Want to Leave Behind

Here are some things I asked myself when I decided to build a better life:

• What habits were draining my energy back home?

• What did my old schedule look like, and how did it make me feel?

• Which parts of my old lifestyle do I not want to bring into this next chapter?

Example:
When I lived in the U.S., I was glued to my phone from the moment I woke up. Emails, notifications, it all hit me before meditation & prayer, because I was so tied to my job. Here in the Dominican Republic, I decided my mornings would start differently: no phone until I’ve done my prayer and meditation.

Step 2: Design Your Ideal Daily Flow

Living abroad gives you the chance to ask: If I could start over, what would my perfect day look like?

Think about:

• When you wake up (Do you want slow mornings? Or do you thrive on early starts?)

• How you spend your first hour (Reading? Walking? Meditation?)

• Your work blocks (Fewer hours but more focus?)

• Daily movement (Local gym? Walks along the beach?)

• Evening wind-down (Dinner with friends? Alone time with self?)

Example:
Back home, my lunch break was eating in my car. Now, I make it mandatory we as a family for lunch.

Step 3: Use Your New Environment to Your Advantage

When you’re surrounded by a different culture, new opportunities for better habits pop up naturally.

• In the DR, fresh fruits is everywhere making it easier to eat healthy without overspending.

• Walkable streets or beach paths encourage more movement without needing a gym membership.

• The slower pace of life invites more mindfulness and less rushing.

Some people just copy their old life in a new place, when you should let your new surroundings shape you for the better.

Step 4: Build Anchors for Self-Discipline

New environments are exciting, but they can also be distracting. Tell me about…lol! Without your old structure, it’s easy to drift.

Here’s what helped me stay on track:

• Morning ritual: A set sequence that starts my day with purpose (meditation & prayer)

• Daily planning session: Mapping work, social, and personal time

• Set “non-negotiables”: For me, it’s self-time one day per week for a few hours

Step 5: Give Yourself Permission to Evolve

It’s tempting to try to “get it all right” immediately. But your first few months abroad are about experimenting and figuring out what feels good and what doesn’t.

When my family and I first arrived, I thought I’d have the perfect balance right away. I didn’t. Some days I overbooked myself, other days I felt aimless. But over time, I found my flow. But I still have to adjust it when life changes.

Final Thought

Moving abroad is more than changing where you live it’s a rare chance to rewrite how you live.

If your old life felt like it was running you, take this opportunity to run your life on your own terms.

Choose habits that align with the person you want to become.
Create a daily rhythm that makes you excited to wake up in the morning.

Because when you reset your routine…

You don’t just reset your schedule, you reset your life.

Until then,

Live Your Best Life
Jay
Lifestyle Designer | Ex-9–5’er