Week Two: The Highs, the Lows & Everything In Between
Week 2 was the week the noise dropped. The urgency to “do” eased off and life started to feel less like a trip and more like… life. Routines formed without us forcing them. Breakfasts became predictable. Work blocks happened naturally. School, exercise, swims, beach time, all started to blend together in a way that felt calm rather than repetitive.
It was less about highlights and more about rhythm.
The Highs
1. Finding our flow
This was the week we stopped trying to optimise everything. Morning exercise became a family thing rather than a checkbox. Skipping ropes on the patio, band workouts, short runs. Nothing fancy, just movement together. It set the tone for the day every time.
2. The kids thriving
The kids really came into their own this week. Less emotional spikes, better focus with schoolwork, more independence. Limiting sugar at breakfast made a noticeable difference, resulting in calmer mornings, smoother days, fewer meltdowns. A simple win we’ll carry forward.
3. Beach and scooter freedom
Hiring scooters unlocked so much freedom. Riding into town, finding quiet beach access points, grabbing food, exploring without a plan. The kids loved the adventure of it, and it gave us that feeling of being locals rather than tourists.
4. Connection with people
Staff recognising us. Familiar faces at breakfast. Casual chats that didn’t feel rushed. Vietnam has this incredible way of stepping in to help before you even realise you need it, and this week, that feeling really landed.
5. Rosie’s daily antics
Rosie, our elf on the shelf, became a full character this week. She moved rooms, set traps, read books, hung from signs, hid in freezers. The kids were all in, and it added this fun little thread of magic to each morning.
The Lows
1. Power outages and uncertainty
Losing power mid-week was disruptive. Charging devices at reception, adjusting work schedules, losing that sense of control. It was a little frustrating when you’re trying to work, but also a reminder of how resilient communities are here.
2. Work guilt vs presence
This week brought a bit of internal tension. When I worked, I felt guilty I wasn’t present. When I wasn’t working, I felt guilty I wasn’t being productive. No external pressure, just internal expectations still trying to follow me around the world.
3. The heat and humidity
The humidity quietly drains you. You don’t notice it until you do. Energy dips happened more often this week, especially after midday, forcing us to slow down whether we liked it or not.
Standout moments
Early morning family workouts before breakfast
Quiet beach time where no one needed entertainment
Scooter rides that felt a bit chaotic but always worked out
Watching the kids problem-solve and adapt without asking for help
Seeing how quickly “home” can shift when you stop resisting it
Lessons learnt
We don’t need a perfect schedule. We need anchors, such as movement, meals, work blocks, rest. Once those are in place, everything else flows.
It sounds obvious, but seeing it play out in real time was powerful. Calm kids change the entire energy of a day.
Some days don’t need an activity. Sitting, swimming, reading, doing nothing, that’s not wasted time. That’s the point.
The version of productivity I brought with me doesn’t belong here. I’m still learning how to redefine “enough.”
Week Two Reflection
Week 2 wasn’t flashy. It didn’t have big excursions or dramatic moments. But it might have been the most important week so far.
This was the week we proved to ourselves that we can actually live like this. Not survive it. Not treat it like a long holiday. Live it.
There’s still a lot to unlearn. Especially around busyness and self-worth, but this week showed us that slowing down doesn’t shrink life. It expands it.
And for the first time since arriving, it didn’t feel like we were visiting somewhere.
It felt like we belonged.