Y’all, I took my ass on vacation a year ago and never went back home.
I am coming up on a full year of living overseas. So much has shifted—I’ve lived in multiple countries, I got engaged, and I am currently rooted in a high-rise condo in Phnom Penh, Cambodia that I absolutely love.
It’s been a minute since I posted anything substantial on YouTube, so I wanted to circle back, give a real update, and break down what this nomadic journey has actually looked like behind the scenes.
Why I Refused to Become a "Cheap Living" Travel Creator
When I first moved overseas, I consciously pulled back from the traditional travel influencer space. I never wanted my entire identity or brand to be rooted in, "Oh, look at her, she left the country, let’s live through her eyes."
More than that, I refused to contribute to the corny genre of travel content—especially from American or Black travel creators—where the entire hyper-focus is on how cheap Southeast Asia is.
You know the videos: "I was paying $2,000 in Atlanta, and now I'm paying $300 for a luxury condo!" I think that stuff is corny. Other countries are not an inexpensive playground for Westerners. These are real people with real cultures and real lives.
While I recognize the privilege of holding an American passport and earning American dollars, I wanted my travel content to center on:
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Cultural integration and history
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Spirituality and global perspectives
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How environment shifts your internal evolution
I’d rather talk about what I'm learning and how I'm integrating these environments into my overall body of work than post a $10 haul.
Spontaneity, Packing Light, and Moving Mapped by Instinct
People assumed moving overseas was this massive, calculated, or traumatic event, but I’ve always been nomadic. Changing my environment, selling everything, and starting fresh isn't unexpected for me—I just do it.
This move started as a spontaneous trip to Koh Samui, Thailand for my friend Gabby’s 40th birthday. My partner Eric and I booked one-way tickets and packed literally one carry-on backpack each. The initial plan was simple: go on vacation, tour a few apartments in Bangkok and Pattaya, come back to the States, pack up our stuff, and relocate.
Once we landed, I looked at Eric and said, "Why would we go back? There is literally no point." We had our essentials, so we just stayed. We gave away everything in our Houston apartment, had a friend pack up our sentimental journals and photo albums, and let the rest go.
The Country Breakdown: Finding What Feels Like Home
Every location carries a distinct energetic line, and moving nomadically forces you to confront what you actually need from an environment versus what the internet tells you that you should like.
1. Thailand (Phuket, Koh Samui, Bangkok, Pattaya)
We put down a deposit on a high-rise, pet-friendly condo in Pattaya right on the beach. I had my nail tech and hair stylist lined up, but before fully committing to a long-term lease, we decided we needed to explore more of Southeast Asia first.
2. Malaysia (Kuala Lumpur)
Kuala Lumpur is still one of my favorite cities on the planet. It is extremely multicultural (Malay, Chinese, Indian, African, Muslim, Hindu, Christian). I loved the energy of commerce, the skyscrapers, the affluence, and waking up to the adhan (the call to prayer). It gave me a grounded routine where I could hit the gym, work from coffee shops, and build momentum.
3. Indonesia (Bali)
Bali is a place I respect for spiritual retreat and introspection, but for long-term living, it was not it for me. It was too touristy, too expat-heavy, and too content-creator-driven. I realized I like interstate highways, commerce, and city infrastructure over island-expat density. Just because a place is visually beautiful doesn't mean it’s your home.
4. Cambodia (Phnom Penh)
We came to Cambodia for a short visit and completely fell in love. Phnom Penh feels like the perfect middle ground between the raw energy of a developing hub and high-rise luxury. The visa process is seamless, the culture is rich, and it has officially become our Southeast Asian home base. Having a stable sanctuary to leave our luggage while we take spontaneous day trips has restored my balance.
Business, Money, and the "How Do You Afford This?" Question
The question I get constantly is: "How are you making money?"
The short answer: the internet.
Both Eric and I have always built and operated online businesses. Eric works in real estate investment, land flipping, and coaching. I have always run online offers, readings, and digital archives that allow me to generate revenue from anywhere in the world.
If you are planning to move abroad, do not bank on finding a local job—countries reserve local jobs for their citizens, as they should. You have to know how to create value and generate income independently, whether through day trading, remote work, digital products, or running an online business.
The Realities of Living Abroad: Loneliness & Saturn Return Lessons
Moving physically is easy; the emotional and spiritual integration is where the real work happens.
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The Foreigner Isolation: No matter how friendly people are, there is an inescapable degree of separation. Expats rotate out constantly, and with locals, language barriers mean you are always operating as an outsider.
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Spirituality Without Tools: Moving across the world with one backpack meant leaving behind my usual altars, candles, and spiritual tools. Going through my Saturn Return abroad stripped everything down to the foundation. It forced me to practice what I preach: you are your primary altar. Your faith, willpower, and devotion are the only tools you actually need to move mountains.
Remembering the Mission
I had a moment walking down the street right here in Phnom Penh, Cambodia, where someone stopped me on the sidewalk and said, "Are you Mikayla Rose? I love your content!"
Being recognized on the other side of the world was a massive divine nudge. It reminded me that this work, my perspective, and my voice are so much bigger than me. My mission isn't bound to a single city, state, or niche.
I’m excited to continue documenting this journey, breaking down astro-cartography, and adding to this living archive.
Drop your questions in the comments below—let me know what you want me to break down next!
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