This Expat Life

#93 2026 fresh start energy: How to create it before January arrives

I’ve been thinking about the way we treat January 1st as if it’s some kind of magical reset button - a clean slate, a fresh start, the moment everything finally falls into place. And I’ve definitely done that myself! But the truth is… nothing actually resets at midnight. Not your nervous system. Not your overthinking. Not the weight you’ve been carrying all year. And yet, so many of us quietly hold onto the belief that “I’ll figure it out in January.” So we postpone clarity, delay decisions, and put our dreams on hold until the calendar gives us permission. In this episode of This Expat Life, I share what this December is feeling like for me as I’m about to leave for a 3-month trip and also want to be intentional about 2026. I talk about the five small but powerful things we can begin doing now to create that grounded, spacious, fresh-start energy long before the clock hits midnight on New Year’s Eve. Because the version of you you want to become in January can only exist if you start shifting something in December! And if you would like some extra guidance or an energy boost for that, so that you can really make 2026 your year… For the first time ever, I’m sharing the exact tools that I use every year during my annual solo retreat that set me up for growth, success and fun, year after year! And you can now book your own solo retreat too. Book The Space - Cabin Edition - a complete package to have an in-depth retreat yourself, with short(!) videos, boosting exercises and powerful audios. The exact same tools I use myself. Doors close on December 31st (but you keep forever access once you're in and can do this retreat whenever you like). Enter the Cabin! https://amandamaxime.plugandpay.nl/checkout/the-space-cabin-edition

#92 Are you living in the Expat Waiting Room?

Lately, I’ve been thinking a lot about those chapters in life where everything looks “fine” from the outside — yet something deep inside whispers that this isn’t really your place anymore. Not because anything is dramatically wrong, but because you know you’re meant for something different… something more aligned. In this episode of This Expat Life, I dive into a concept that came up inside The Co-Pilot and instantly struck a chord: the waiting room. It’s that in-between phase where life feels like a 6/10 — functional, familiar, even comfortable — but not truly fulfilling. The kind of place you don’t choose, but somehow drift into. I share how the waiting room has shown up in my own expat journey, how easy it is to stay there longer than you intend, and the subtle ways we end up waiting for clarity, timing, or external signs before we permit ourselves to move. If you’ve ever felt like you’re hovering between chapters, knowing you want change but not knowing when or how to start, this episode will speak to you. It will help you see where you might be giving your power away — and what becomes possible once you decide you’re done waiting. I’d love to hear if this resonates. Send me a DM on Instagram at @amandamaxime, or email me at info@amandamaximecoaching.com. And if you want to get OUT of the waiting room... Your next door to open is my signature program The Co-Pilot, starting again in early 2026. Sign up for the priority list now so you'll be the first to hear the news and an exclusive offer!Links & Resources:  📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime  💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com 🌐 More at: amandamaximecoaching.com

#91 What to do when you’re not okay (and can’t quite explain why)

Have you ever had one of those weeks where nothing is technically wrong… but your body, your emotions, and your brain are all just slightly out of sync? That was me last week. In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I open up about a very wobbly, very real week - one where I felt exhausted, anxious, numb, unfocused, and disconnected from myself… for no obvious reason. And as I started sharing it on Instagram, so many people said, “Oh wow, me too.” So I knew I wanted to bring this conversation here. Sometimes the most powerful thing we can do is pause, surrender, and give ourselves what we actually need instead of pushing harder. This conversation is especially for you if:  🌍 You’re abroad and far from the people who usually ground you  🌙 You’ve been feeling low-energy, anxious, or numb  🧠 Your mind is busy but you can’t quite pinpoint why  💛 You’re craving softness, spaciousness, and a bit of self-compassion And in this episode I share the 5 things I did last week that helped me to get back to my grounded, powerful self. I hope this episode lands softly with you — and gives you a moment to breathe, reset, and feel seen. If something resonated or you had an “oh wow, that’s me” moment, I’d love to hear from you. Send me a DM on Instagram at @amandamaxime, or email me at info@amandamaximecoaching.com. Links & Resources:  📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime  💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com  🌐 More at: amandamaximecoaching.com

#90 How I learned Spanish & Portuguese - Tips to overcome language obstacles

Have you ever felt like language is the one thing standing between you and truly belonging abroad? In this episode, I dive into a question from a listener about how to overcome language obstacles — not from a technical perspective, but from the inside out. Because learning a new language isn’t just about memorizing words or grammar rules. It’s about how you see yourself, what you believe you’re capable of, and how open you are to connecting in new ways. I share my personal experiences learning Dutch, English, Spanish, and Portuguese while living across different countries — and how each language unlocked a new part of me. You’ll hear about the mindset shifts that made learning easier, the moments I got it wrong (including a funny story involving Brazilian lyrics 😅), and how curiosity and connection made all the difference. If you’ve been feeling stuck, frustrated, or disconnected because of language barriers, this episode will help you reframe that experience — and maybe even start to enjoy the process again. Links & Resources:  📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime  💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com  🌐 More at: amandamaximecoaching.com

#89 I didn’t see this coming: the intuitive download that changed the game

This week, I’m sharing a very personal story - one that honestly still feels a little raw. Out of nowhere, during an ordinary bike ride home, I got the clearest intuitive nudge: “Pause one-on-one coaching.” There was no plan, no logic, no strategy behind it - just a deep knowing that it was time to let go of something that had brought me so much success. What followed was fear, tears, doubt, and eventually… peace. In this episode, I take you behind the scenes of that decision: how it arrived, why I chose to trust it anyway, and what happened after I did. I also share how this experience completely changed my relationship with hard work, receiving, and self-trust. If you’ve ever felt stuck between what’s working and what’s next or you sense something bigger waiting for you but don’t know how to make space for it, this one’s for you. Links & Resources:  📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime  💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com  🌐 More at: amandamaximecoaching.com