Heartbreak, Hustle, and Healing on the Road🙂
Latest from Phuket
Today, I watched my first sunset in almost a month. There's something mesmerizing about sunsets—no matter how many times we see them, they leave us spellbound. And yet, for so long, I couldn’t bring myself to go. How could I, when everything—the sun dipping into the ocean, the colors in the sky—reminded me of him?
Isn’t it strange how personal struggle can feel? For some, a breakup might be manageable, but for others like me, it shakes everything. I kept wondering, why? Why did this have to happen? I wasn’t looking for another lesson in heartbreak. I don’t buy into the belief that growth always demands suffering, so why did I have to go through this?
Even now, I struggle to see the reason for this pain, but it’s forced me to re-examine a few things. I've been focusing on my mental health—not just doing yoga or practicing breathing exercises, but really trying to understand why I feel this way. Do I need to suffer, or am I just overthinking? Why do panic attacks keep creeping in?
I’m learning to slow down and let myself feel, rather than rush through grief.
On the upside, I realized something important: I’m capable of loving deeply, and there was never anything wrong with me for choosing to stay single all those years. And I’ll admit, I am an empathetic person; I’ve always been able to feel for those struggling with mental health, even if I didn’t completely understand their experience.
But, wow. Going through it firsthand? That’s something else entirely. It’s a different world, one where I learned to distinguish between sadness and depression. I wasn’t just sad—I was depressed. And it was intense.
The breakup may have triggered a deeper spiral, but honestly, I had been grappling with things long before. This low period gave me a clearer perspective. With so many conversations happening around mental health, I’ve decided to add my own—starting a free group for open support and discussion.
But guyssss!!! it’s different when you go through it.
Honestly, I could finally tell the difference between being sad and being truly depressed. I was depressed—deeply. It was rough. Really rough.
The breakup may have intensified things, but I’d already been dealing with a lot for a while. This downtime, painful as it was, helped me see things more clearly. With so much happening in mental health awareness, I want to contribute my own effort—a free support group where people can openly talk and support one another.
"अशोच्यानन्वशोचस्त्वं प्रज्ञावादांश्च भाषसे। गतासूनगतासूंश्च नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः॥"
Translation:
"You grieve for those who should not be grieved for, yet speak words of wisdom. The wise grieve neither for the living nor the dead."
This verse reminds us that true wisdom is in seeing beyond sorrow, encouraging us to guide and support others by helping them find inner peace and understanding. It highlights the importance of showing strength and clarity, so we can help uplift others in their grief, recognizing the impermanence of life and offering a broader perspective that brings comfort.
I was in Vietnam when everything hit at once.
The breakup.
My client contract ended.
And then came the reckoning with my past financial choices. Reality hit hard, forcing me to confront it all.
Did this mean the end of my digital nomad life? Was I headed back to an office, trading travel for a desk?
I knew it would be rough, but I was prepared. I’d always told my mom I’d never go hungry and promised myself I’d return to an office only if I’d exhausted every possible option.
While I was in Vietnam, I did have one option—teaching English.
It’s a flexible, well-paying gig, but it would keep me in one place. Another short-term job for some cash, so I kept it as a backup. I knew I’d rather teach English there than go back to an office.
My visa was about to expire, and the decision of where to go next weighed heavily. Sounds like a “first-world problem,” but when every penny matters, it’s a tough call.
I wanted to be near the beach, in a place with wellness and healing options, where I could work and stay for free.
Fun fact- Indians I meet are often surprised when they find out I’m staying at these nice properties for free and that too for months while they’re there for a short vacation.As a content creator, I can sometimes get a few days of free accommodation, but since I prefer staying longer, volunteering has been my way of making it work. Not only does it save me money, but it lets me truly immerse in the local culture and meet people.
In the end, I used my skills to land in Phuket, where I’m now staying in a lovely resort with free accommodation and food. I’m also able to do wellness sessions—which you can check out on my Instagram stories!
My Current Work-View
Why did I share the above details here?
I have always talked about how you can work remotely and travel the world.
Here was my chance to prove myself again.
I can not say I am having the ‘best of my life’ here. But what am I loosing?
I am doing everything and even more than most people would do sitting in their office. At the same time, I am also working daily to find new clients that would eventually help me travel again.
I am reaching out to 5-10 people every day through social platforms but also I am in a strategic place where I would always be able to meet potential clients- all the while, having fun.
I have talked about this and the ways to work remotely and travel in my paid guide. And once you purchase the guide, you will be able to join the community where I share not only about remote jobs but also new industry trends and countries you can travel as a remote worker. If you want to make a purchase, drop me an email at nomad@travelwithkittoo.com