How I’m Planning on Leaving the USA — Because I Deserve Peace

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I didn’t get here overnight. The decision to seriously prepare to leave the U.S. didn’t come from a single event — it came from a slow buildup of frustration, exhaustion, and a deep craving for something different.

Maybe you’ve felt it too.

That constant, low-level anxiety that buzzes under the surface. The stress of navigating systems that weren’t built for you.

The feeling of having to perform stability when inside, you’re just tired.

I’m a homeschooling mom. I’m a CPA and a certified health coach. And even with all that, I still wake up some days wondering, “Is this really the life I’m supposed to accept?”

Turns out, I don’t think it is.

The Politics Are Exhausting

Watching the news started to feel like emotional whiplash.

It wasn’t just disagreements or debates. It felt hostile, heavy, and unsafe.

I eventually had to stop watching altogether. It was either that or spiral into constant anxiety.

But tuning it out didn’t fix what’s happening — it just meant I couldn’t ignore that I needed to find another way.

Constant Vigilance is Not a Way to Live

I’ve sat in church pews, community events, even homeschool meetups, constantly on edge.

Not because anything “happened” — but because I’ve had to navigate microaggressions, code-switching, and low-grade discomfort for years.

I shouldn’t have to brace myself every time I show up to a space with my kids.

That’s not peace — that’s survival mode.

Slower Living Is Nearly Impossible

I know, everyone’s talking about “soft life” now.

But what I want isn’t trendy. I want mornings that aren’t rushed, time to be present with my kids, and the space to breathe.

Living in the U.S., I feel like everything has to be optimized, monetized, or scheduled. Even rest had to be “productive.”

That’s not living. That’s coping.

I Want More for My Kids

We live in a small town. Travel hasn’t been a big part of our life yet, and I want to change that.

I want them to learn languages, explore different cultures, and meet people who challenge their thinking.

I don’t want the first time they experience the world to be in a textbook or a YouTube video.

I want them to live it.

I Want to Feel Safe — Fully

Safety isn’t just about crime stats. It’s about how I feel walking down the street. It’s about how my family is treated in everyday spaces. I’m tired of questioning whether I’ll be protected or dismissed. I don’t think that’s too much to ask.

What I’m Doing to Prepare for Leaving

Leaving the country is a huge decision.

It’s not romantic or spontaneous — it’s logistical. So here’s what I’m actually doing right now to make it real.

Looking at Countries That Fit Our Needs

I’m not choosing a country based on vibes or Instagram reels.

I’m creating a checklist based on our real needs as a homeschooling family.

Some of the things I’m looking for:

• Strong Healthcare System (public or private options with quality care)
• Homeschool-Friendly Laws
• Low Violent Crime Rates
• Decent Infrastructure (internet, roads, public services)
• Time Zone Alignment for work
• Cost of Living that won’t stretch us thin
• Residency or Visa Pathways that aren’t impossible

I’ve got a spreadsheet. (Because of course I do.)

Free Immigration Consults

I’ve started reaching out for free consultations with immigration attorneys, especially those who work with U.S. citizens moving abroad.

Even a 20-minute call can help you avoid big mistakes early on.

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Ramping Up My Remote Income

As a CPA and health coach, I’m building digital products and services that let me work from anywhere.

I’ve been mapping out:

• Monthly income targets
• Passive income streams (digital guides, workshops)
• Service-based offers I can do virtually
• Where I might need to pivot to fit international markets

This part is a slow build. But it’s necessary.

And because it’s been such a process figuring out where to start, what to offer, and how to make it sustainable, I ended up putting together a digital kit to organize everything I’ve learned so far.

If you’re in this same season, trying to create calm, location-flexible income without burning out, that might be something to check out.

Joining Expat Facebook Groups

I’m in groups for Black expats, homeschooling expats, and moms abroad.

Sometimes I just lurk. Sometimes I ask questions. The insight you get from people already living where you want to go?

Way more valuable than just reading articles.

Watching Expat YouTube Channels

Not the shiny “moving to Bali with $400” kind. I watch real families showing their day-to-day — how they grocery shop, how they deal with visas, what school looks like.

It’s the kind of practical, unfiltered content that helps you picture your own life there.

Getting My Documents in Order

Already have my passport, which helps. But I’m also:

• Checking expiration dates
• Getting digital + paper copies of birth certificates, marriage license, etc.
• Looking into apostilles if needed for legal docs abroad
• Researching health records for  visa requirements

Add kids to the mix? Everything multiplies — time, stress, logistics.

What Keeps Me Going

Some days I wonder if I’m completely delusional.

Like — is this really going to happen? But then I remember how heavy things feel when I don’t take action.

I think about how my shoulders relax when I imagine living somewhere where I feel safe, calm, and whole.

I’ve had to completely shift my focus away from constant outrage and toward planning.

I stopped watching the news. I started taking notes. I let go of timelines and started building momentum instead.

This process isn’t fast. It’s not always easy. But it’s mine. And I want to share it because I know I’m not the only one feeling this way.

You May Also Enjoy:

Top Countries for Black Expats: Where to Move, Live, and Thrive

10 Steps to Prepare to Move Abroad in 6 Months

10 High-Paying Location Independent Business Ideas for Women

The Bigger Vision

I’m doing this for me. For my kids. For the version of me that’s tired of settling.

But I’m also doing it for the women watching — the ones who’ve been silently Googling “how to move abroad with kids” or watching travel vlogs at 2am and thinking, could I actually do this?

You’re not crazy. You’re not alone.

And if this resonates with you, I’d love to build a space where we can figure it out together, especially the income side, which can feel overwhelming at first.

That’s why I created Leave & Earn, a digital starter kit that walks you through how to build simple, low-pressure income streams you can run from anywhere — no video, no tech headaches, no burnout.

I made it for women like us: moms, soft life seekers, future expats trying to make this real one step at a time.

Because peace shouldn’t be a luxury. And it definitely shouldn’t feel like a secret.