"Why did I even move to New Zealand?"

A celebration of new astrological beginnings and a weekend away that got me closer to the answer.

Recently, my girlfriends and I went on a camping trip! We headed to Bowentown Beach, about 2.5 hours south of Auckland. The trip was organized by Van, who absolutely nailed the project management, coordinating seven women, plus all the gear and groceries needed for three nights. As a kid, I never realized how much effort goes into planning vacations or even these little weekend getaways. As an adult, it’s so easy to write off the weekend, avoiding anything too adventurous because the logistics feel like just more admin on top of the 9-to-5 grind. Lately, I’ve been content staying in my apartment in Auckland, resting from the past week and preparing for the next.

And while I fully believe that "doing nothing is productive" sometimes, I also know that when I go too long without getting out of the city, I start questioning, "Why did I even move here to begin with?" When life becomes an endless loop of work and home, the expansive parts of me begin to shrink, weighed down by work, my never-ending to-do list, and the absurd speed at which my trash bin fills up. How does it get so full so fast?!

This weekend away was medicine for my soul. It pulled me out of "doing" mode and placed me firmly back into "being"—being present, being connected, being joyful, being curious, being spontaneous.

The girls on our camping trip. From left: me, Anais, Van, Dani, Kitki. Bottom: Julia, Mia.

It just so happened that our trip fell on the astrological new year, so beyond just escaping the city, we took the opportunity to tap into our dreams and intentions for the future, ceremoniously letting go of the baggage we wanted to leave behind.

Our campsite was right next to the beach, so we fully embraced our surroundings. By day, we soaked up the ocean and the sun. By night, wrapped in comfy PJs and blankets, we gathered by candlelight with pens and paper for a women’s circle on the sand. From the outside, it probably looked like a modern-day woo-woo witch fest as we meditated, held hands, and burned paper inscribed with our soul’s deepest longings. I had a good chuckle thinking about the optics from passerbys walking their dog on the beach.

But honestly, who cares?

It felt incredible to be in that space, held in sisterhood with bold, kind, and spiritually expansive women. We danced, we cried, we laughed. And at the end of the night, we laid on our backs, wrapped in a cocoon of blankets on the beach, the sound of waves crashing nearby, gazing up at the stars. The Milky Way stretched before us, making us feel both finite and eternal all at once.

A photo Anais took of the night sky on the beach. Look at the stars, look how they shine for you 🎵

Now that I’m back to city life, that weekend already feels like a dream. Time had stretched and enveloped us, giving us the most perfect escape. I’m still integrating it all, feeling tender from sharing so openly and dreaming so wildly. The reality and mundanity of life have crept back in, but somehow, I feel changed—in the best way.

The question "Why did I even move to New Zealand?" feels more answered. I moved here for experiences like this—for deep connection with others, with nature, and with myself.

To dance, unabashedly, on the beach underneath the stars. To be fully seen and celebrated. For me to see and celebrate others. I moved to New Zealand to live and love deeply- and that’s how I wish to carry myself in this new cycle of life.

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Dani jumped on the AI train to Ghibli-fy our group photo. How cute do we look as anime characters? 🥰

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I wrote the above reflection piece a week ago, when the camping trip was still pretty fresh. Now, two weeks later, I’m not going to lie- my life has been turned upside down with some pretty life-changing news. Idk what cruel joke the universe is pulling, but this was certainly not in my 2025 bingo card. I’m sorry I’m being quite vague about what the news is. It’s still processing it, as I was literally just told today.

But, if I’ve learned anything from my abroad journey, it’s this: trust the process. It might not make sense now, but it will, and sometimes things need to dissolve so better, more aligned opportunities can come.

And with that, let me wish you a happy astrological new year, my loves. I hope it brings all of us clarity, abundance, and prosperity. May we find greater alignment and connection with ourselves, each other, and the world. Blessings ✨

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That’s it for this edition.

I’d love to hear from you 👉 have you ever questioned your move abroad? And if so, what experience made you realise you’re right where you’re supposed to be?
Answer in the comments!

Catchya next week!

Muah 💋
Juvi