Embracing Change

 The Power of Adaptability and Finding Home Within

I’ve always believed that home is not a place but a feeling. It’s wherever your heart feels at peace, wherever you can truly be yourself. This belief isn’t something I read in a book or picked up in a workshop — it’s something I’ve lived and learned since I was just a baby. My life has been a continuous journey of change, movement, and adaptation, and those experiences have shaped me into who I am today.

Andrea of Gaia at a ZPA event

I was only six months old when I first experienced the nomadic lifestyle. My dad’s job required us to move from one country to another, starting over again and again. By the time I was old enough to go to school, I had already lived in more places than most people do in a lifetime. For me, it was normal to pack up and leave, to say goodbye to friends, to adjust to new cultures, and to find a sense of stability amid constant change.

At first glance, this might seem like an unstable upbringing, but looking back, I am deeply grateful for it. These experiences taught me the true meaning of adaptability and resilience. I learned early that we, as human beings, have an incredible ability to adjust, and thrive even in unfamiliar environments. It also taught me the art of detachment — not in a cold, unfeeling way, but in understanding that things, places, and even people can come and go, and that’s okay. My sense of self, my inner stability, became my anchor.

But it wasn’t all smooth sailing. The constant movement also brought a sense of instability that I wasn’t fully aware of while growing up. It was not until later in life, as an adult, that I realized how this lack of a permanent home had affected me. I often felt like I didn’t belong anywhere like I was always on the outside looking in. It was a strange mix of feeling both at home everywhere and nowhere at the same time.

When I turned 18, I decided to take the leap and embrace an even more adventurous life. I moved to Asia, specifically China, drawn to the country by a fascination with the culture and a deep, unexplainable pull towards Buddhism and meditation. Coming from a Catholic family, mindfulness and spirituality in this form were not things we talked about. But something inside me knew that there was more to explore, that this was a path I needed to walk.

I ended up living in China for ten years. Those years were filled with some of the most challenging and rewarding experiences of my life. I met incredible teachers and masters who introduced me to the world of meditation, energy work, and the power of the mind. I went through highs and lows, faced some of my deepest fears, and experienced profound moments of peace and clarity. Those experiences were a treasure, molding me into who I am today.

It was during this time that I truly understood the power of the mind. I realized how our upbringing, our experiences, and even the challenges we face shape the lens through which we see the world. The resilience and adaptability I had learned as a child became my greatest allies, allowing me to navigate this new and foreign environment, to absorb and integrate the lessons I was learning.

Change is not always easy. It can be messy, uncomfortable, and even painful at times. But it’s through these changes that we discover new facets of ourselves. Every challenge, every move, every new beginning taught me something different about who I am. It taught me that I am stronger than I think, more resilient than I knew, and capable of finding peace and stability within myself, regardless of external circumstances.

One of the hardest lessons I had to learn was about belonging. For so long, I felt like I didn’t belong anywhere. I was constantly searching for a place, a community, where I would feel seen and accepted. It wasn’t until much later that I realized that true belonging doesn’t come from outside. It comes from within. We don’t need to fit into someone else’s mold to be valued. When we show up as our true selves, we attract those who resonate with our energy, and who see and appreciate us for who we are.

Finding your tribe is one of the most beautiful experiences in life, but it’s also one that requires patience and self-acceptance. You have to believe in yourself first, to understand that not everyone will understand your journey, and that’s okay. Keep showing up as you are, keep seeking, and you’ll find those people who make your soul feel at home.

Community is important because it reminds us that we’re not alone. It supports us in times of need and celebrates with us in times of joy. A true community sees you, not just the image you project. It’s a space where you can be vulnerable, real, imperfect, and still be loved and accepted. That kind of community doesn’t just happen overnight. It’s built through genuine connections and shared experiences.

So, if you’re feeling like you don’t belong or like you’re constantly starting over, know that you’re not alone. Embrace the changes and the uncertainty, and trust that every experience is shaping you in ways you may not yet understand. You are an incredible, adaptable being, capable of creating your sense of home, no matter where you are. Keep believing in yourself, and you’ll find your tribe, your community, the people who see you for who you truly are.

With love and light,Andrea of Gaia ✨