Embracing Adventure, Navigating Reality

I am writing this as a mother of two young boys, navigating the ever-evolving journey of life abroad. My partner and I have spent years traveling, searching for a place to call home—a place where we could build the kind of life we wanted for our family.

Somehow, that journey led us to Bali. We had fallen in love with this island and its neighboring gems long before we had children, discovering its beauty, culture, and sense of freedom. In fact, we found out we were expecting our first child while here, which only deepened our connection to this special place.

But settling down in Bali wasn’t as effortless as our travels had once made it seem. The “honeymoon phase” faded, and we were met with the stark realities of living in a developing country as foreigners in a place designed for tourism. The challenges—navigating bureaucracy, adapting to a different pace of life, and finding stability in an ever-changing landscape—forced us to reevaluate our expectations and approach.

That’s what Astral Hearth is about: embracing both the magic and the reality of life’s big transitions. This space exists to explore not only the beauty of adventure but also the struggles, lessons, and unexpected truths that come with it.

Whether you’re here for insights on life abroad, gaming as a parent, tackling the unknown, or simply seeking a fresh perspective, this is a place where curiosity meets warmth—where perspectives expand, and belonging is universal.

Welcome to Astral Hearth.