6 Ideas for How to Rest & Recharge in a Foreign Culture

When you live in a culture that’s not your own, it takes time to figure out what actually gives you rest.

There are no Target runs, often few (if any) cute coffee shops to journal and process life at, and sometimes no other expats to have “girls night” or just hang out with. Shopping can soon become stressful when someone follows you around the store to help you shop.

So, by the time Sabbath comes around or you just need to recharge, it’s difficult to figure out what that even looks like. I wish I had an easy answer but honestly for us, it varies from week to week. Last week, we went to explore a fort. Five minutes in, multiple people asked to take a picture with us because we are foreigners. I’ll be honest, in that moment I wanted to become invisible and hide in a closet. I just wanted to enjoy the history and being in the outdoors, not transform into a celebrity for the day. But, I pushed through and the day actually turned out awesome.

Here are a few things that have helped us rest and recharge overseas.

1. FaceTime with someone who is going through similar things as you

What strange creatures crawl around your house? Do you ever think, “How am I EVER going to learn this language?” What is the milk like in your country? What does rest look like for you? How do you strengthen and love each other in marriage when you are living in stress… and often in your flesh?

We need community. We need friendship. We need people who are dealing with some of the same things we are.

Sometimes we will just curl up with a cup of tea and expat friends on a screen who we can laugh with, tell stories with, and hear about joys and struggles with. We have found this to be super encouraging and by the end of the conversation, we have spurred each other on and realized that we are in fact NOT the only ones going through whatever it is we are dealing with that week.

2.  Be in nature 

If this is possible, this is usually the best thing for my husband and I to do. Be active, get moving, and enjoy creation. Sometimes it means a day hike and other times it means walking through the forest until we find trees suitable for hammocking. We might set up a speaker and listen to music that gives us life or just listen to the breeze. Maybe read or listen to a sermon while we sway back and forth. If you live in a big city and it’s not that easy to find a restful space to enjoy, have a picnic on your roof and just enjoy the sunshine.

3.  Explore your city 

Like I said early about the fort, this can be hit or miss. You have to be in the mood for a day in the city around the locals. Only you can determine if this is restful or fun for you that day. We recently went to a place with some tourists but not a ton of people. It was outside but still considered “exploring and learning about our city.” It ended up being restful and fun. We like to find spots to take pictures and set up the camera for a photoshoot when we go somewhere to explore.

4.  Host a low-key game or movie night with friends 

It won’t be restful if you are stressed about hosting. If that’s the case, ask if you can meet at someone else’s house for the evening and bring popcorn. Option two is to stay in and have a roommate or family movie/ game night. For game night, we have enjoyed the online game Fibbage if you have access to a TV and guests have smartphones. Movies are always a great option too. You can laugh or gasp together, depending on what you’re watching and your mind can wander to new places.

5. Listen to or watch a sermon 

There have been so many moments when my husband and I just need the truth spoken to us. Whether you are discouraged, in a spiritual desert, or just need to set your mind on what really matters, listening to the Word is always a good idea. One Saturday, we put on a sermon about marriage and it turned the whole day around. We obviously needed some truth to be poured into our souls.

6. Create a logbook, write, or journal

Maybe you’re not a writer but I have found that even if that isn’t your go to, it can be helpful to process, laugh, and just remember. Remember what hurts, what’s hard, what’s good, what’s increasing your joy, and what’s stealing your joy.

Several years ago my friend introduced me to the concept of a logbook. At the end of every month, you write down the month’s highlights and difficulties. We recently wrote one for January and it was fun to see the differences and similarities that my husband and I each put down for the month. As he shared his January logbook with me, it allowed me to look back through his lens of what he saw as victories and disappointments. It helped us understand each other better, which is always a win!

I hope you are able to find rest and take time to recharge in whatever ways you need to, no matter where in the world you are living. I’d love to hear other ways you fill up your tank as you do life as an expat.