No House, No Postcode Just a Life of Slow Travel (and Why Leaving Australia Was the Best Thing We Ever Did)
By Sheridan-Leigh | Travel Stories to Guide, Tips to Inspire
Three years ago, if you’d asked me what my future plans were, I probably would’ve laughed and said, “Same sh—different day.”
I was working two jobs, I genuinely enjoyed teaching international students at a remarkable Perth college and managing children’s activities at one of Perth’s top Health and Lifestyle Clubs. But with two total knee replacements on the horizon (which I’ve since had and don’t regret one bit), I started asking myself a bigger question:
Is this it? Is this all there is?
Life in Australia was getting harder. The cost of living was soaring, rent prices were eye watering, and even simple pleasures started to feel like luxuries. Our kids were grown one married and building his own life, the other still navigating the tough terrain of mental health. My elderly dad, bless him, was 90 and still kicking along. A little forgetful, a bit needy, but full of charm. And of course, there was Loki our fur baby and constant companion.
Add to that a beautiful group of lifelong friends and, on paper, it seemed like I had everything sorted.
But something kept tugging at me. We’ve always loved to travel family beach trips to Bali, romantic cruises to Tahiti. We’d seen a lot, sure. But I couldn’t shake the feeling there’s still so much more out there.
So, David and I had a heart-to-heart. He wasn’t enjoying his job at all, and the long commute was draining the life out of him. We looked at each other and said, “Let’s do it. Let’s change everything.
We started sorting our lives into piles: keep, sell, donate. We tightened our belts and saved like mad. No new clothes, no impulse buys. We knew in our hearts that for our health and sanity, we couldn’t keep living the way we were.
There was never going to be a perfect time to leave, so we chose a date, drew a line in the sand, and went for it.
Telling friends and family That was the hard part. Some cheered us on. Others told us we were nuts. “You’ll be back in three months,” they said. “You’ll miss your creature comforts. You’re too old for this.”
It wasn’t a ‘gap year’ or a spontaneous escape. It was a deeply considered, gut-wrenching decision to let go of the life we had built brick by brick for something unknown. I remember sitting in our near-empty house the night before the final sale, surrounded by half-packed bags and doubts. What on earth were we doing?
Well… here we are. Two and a half years later.
We’ve cruised through oceans, wandered through ancient cities, and embraced the joys (and challenges) of slow travel. And for the past year, we’ve been based in Da Nang, Vietnam.
Which brings me to the real heart of this journal entry
I won’t sugar-coat it, starting over in a new country is hard. The loneliness crept in early. At times, I felt untethered. I missed my coffee catchups, my familiar routines, the easy chats with old friends and my family. Some days I felt invisible, like a traveller without a tribe.
At times, I felt homeless not in the physical sense, but emotionally. I missed the sound of familiar voices and the security of belonging. There were days when I felt invisible. Lonely. Unanchored.
But slowly, gently the fog began to lift.
It didn’t happen overnight. It started with a hesitant “Would you like to meet for coffee?” from another expat living in Da Nang. A small invitation that felt monumental at the time. I didn’t know if I’d fit in, or if they’d understand this strange, in-between version of me: not quite tourist, not quite retired or local.
But I went. And I kept going.
What began as an occasional catch-up with a few lovely women has become a treasured part of my week. We meet regularly now sometimes in the buzz of a busy café; other times tucked into a quiet laneway nook. We talk about life. Travel. Relationships. Aging. Families. Dreams. There are no rules, no judgement. Just real conversations and warm cups of coffee or iced Coconut coffee that somehow make everything feel a little easier.
These women have become more than friends they are my circle. My compass on the rough days. My reminder that even in unfamiliar places, connection is always possible. They bring laughter, perspective, and that comforting feeling of just being.
Me sorted then something unexpected happened something even more wonderful.
David and I found a mixed group of likeminded expats, all walking their own unique expat paths. But this isn’t your typical pub crowd yelling at a TV over beers. No, this group is different. Thoughtful. Inclusive. Uplifting.
We meet in quirky cafes, rooftop gardens, and hole-in-the-wall coffee shops with mismatched chairs and locally roasted beans. We share stories, ideas, and sometimes just comfortable silence. These gatherings are about meaningful connection, not noise or bravado. No one’s trying to impress. Everyone’s just trying to belong and somehow, we all do.
After feeling disconnected for so long cut loose from the routines and community we left behind in Australia we’re slowly building something again. Not just friendships, but rhythms. Familiar faces. A sense of place.
We might not have a house or a postcode to call our own right now, but what we’ve found feels even more precious: a sense of belonging.
Not the permanent kind. Not the “forever home” kind.
But something real, rooted in connection and community right here, right now.
We’re not finished travelling. There’s still so much world to see, cultures to experience, stories to hear. And when the time comes, we’ll pack our bags again with the same curiosity that brought us here.
But for this season, in this corner of Vietnam, surrounded by new friends and familiar smiles over coffee cups we’ve found a kind of home.
Not because we’ve stopped moving.
But because we’ve finally learned how to belong, wherever we are.
And maybe that’s the secret…
You don’t have to stop wandering to feel at home in the world.
Love MyLifestyle #Sheridan-Leigh
Read my personal journal stories here.
About the Author:
Sheridan-Leigh is the passionate voice behind the MyLifestyle Blog, where life is celebrated with vibrant stories and insightful travel tips. With a deep love for slow travel, she believes in truly experiencing each destination, creating connections beyond the surface. Her blog is a blend of personal stories, expert advice, and a philosophy that life is for living to the fullest and is rich with opportunities for growth and adventure. Join Sheridan-Leigh as she shares her journey, inspiring others to embrace life, travel deeply, and live fully.
Below are some recent travels on an interactive map.
Alternatively, view the full interactive travel journey at MyLifestyle Travel Map
Click on a trip line to see images, posts, accommodation and travel information about the destinations.
