Burnout Recovery: How Travel Led Us to Freedom

The Universe must be really tired of fighting my stubborn heart
– Aurora Raine

When everything that can go wrong, goes wrong.

It’s incredible that we actually made it on this journey because everything that could go wrong did. We knew that the dream of freedom—breaking away from everyday life and traveling to Asia—would require planning and effort, but we never imagined just how many challenges would arise before departure. It felt as if the universe had decided to test us on almost everything before we could even pack our bags.

The autumn when everything became too much.

Work, studies, and family – a constant race.

First, it was me. The entire autumn of 2023 felt like wading through syrup—everything was so heavy. A demanding full-time job, a part-time master’s degree I wished I had never started, being a mom to three kids/teenagers, each with their own needs, a confirmation to plan, endless driving, follow-ups… It was a lot!

The diagnosis that changed everything.

And then came the diagnosis in the family: cancer. News like that is like having the ground ripped out from under you. In the midst of our own turmoil and stress, this was a stark reminder of how fragile life truly is.

It became too much.

When the body said stop.

I felt it long before it happened – the tension in my body, the mind that never rested, the sleep interrupted by thoughts that refused to let go. Yet, I kept pushing forward. There was always more to do, more tasks to check off, more expectations to meet.

Eventually, my body said stop.

It wasn’t just fatigue – it was a paralyzing exhaustion. My heart pounded even when I was sitting still, my head felt both heavy and empty at the same time, and even the simplest decisions became a struggle. Some days, I cried without knowing why. Other days, everything felt numb.

Accepting that I had to let go.

Realizing that I had to give up control, that I simply couldn’t keep going – that was the hardest part. Who was I without achieving? Without being the one who always showed up? I struggled to accept that my body was failing me, that it was working against me in so many ways.

The sick leave was both a relief and a sorrow. I needed it, but at the same time, it felt like a defeat. I, who had always managed everything, suddenly couldn’t handle everyday life.

It took time to understand that exhaustion is not weakness, but a signal. A message from the body saying that enough is enough.

Death, renovation chaos, and a budget that collapsed.

The shock in the rental apartment.

The day after May 17th, our tenant in the rental apartment passed away. This man had been a part of the house since we bought it five years earlier. It was a shock. Suddenly, the house felt very quiet.

Death and illness also served as a powerful reminder of why we had to travel. Life can change in an instant, and I didn’t want to postpone my dreams any longer.

From Minor Renovations to a Complete Overhaul

Before we could leave, we had to prepare the apartment for new tenants. We thought this would be a simple task—a little freshening up, maybe some paint, a thorough cleaning. But as soon as we started clearing things out, we realized we were facing a much bigger challenge than we had anticipated.

The apartment needed a complete renovation. Behind the furniture and carpets, we discovered water damage that had spread deeper than we had imagined. There was rot in the wood, mold in the walls—a damp, musty smell that we hadn’t noticed before but now seemed impossible to ignore.

Haakon went into full crisis mode.

Haakon had to step up completely. He was thrown into a race against time and budget. He coordinated contractors, brought in an electrician and a plumber, and worked around the clock to make sure everything would be ready in time. He plastered, painted, screwed, and carried – a constant battle against the clock.

Economic uncertainty and sleepless nights.

At the same time, money was steadily trickling out of our account. Every single bill, every unexpected expense, was a constant reminder of how tight our budget already was.

The budget ghosts kept us awake at night—could we actually make this trip happen? Would we manage to get new tenants in time? Would we stand there on our departure day with an empty house still draining our finances? Would we never make this burnout recovery?

👉 Read more about budgeting, how we made the decision, and our planning here.

The final obstacle – and finally, freedom.

Renting out the main part of the house.

And then there was the main part of the house. It also had to be rented out. Everything had to align perfectly: Renovation of the rental unit, new tenants secured, contracts signed for the main house, packing, plane tickets – which were non-refundable.

We couldn’t postpone the trip, but it felt like the world was determined to test us until the very last second.

With backpacks on our shoulders and boarding passes in hand.

It was chaotic. It was exhausting. But in the end, after weeks of stress, physical strain, and sleepless nights, we made it. The apartment was ready, a new tenant appeared just when we needed her the most, and she signed the contract.

We stood there with our backpacks on and boarding passes in hand. It felt surreal. We hadn’t had time to be excited, we were too exhausted to feel the thrill – but we had made it.

This journey means more than we can put into words.

It felt like the whole world was working against us. We were exhausted, both mentally and physically. But at the same time, there was a determination within us—a will to leave, no matter what obstacles stood in our way.

This journey had become a symbol of something greater for us. Our burnout recovery.

Freedom.
Time with family.
A chance to find our way back to ourselves.

And somehow, we did it. We found new tenants, got the paperwork in order, and packed our backpacks.

It was a close call, and as we stood there with our boarding passes in hand, we hadn’t even had time to feel excited. We were exhausted. Drained. But full of hope.

When everything is against you – find a way forward.

This journey is more than just a trip. It is proof that even when everything is against you, you can find a way forward if you are determined enough.

And for that, I am eternally grateful.

We’re the Mjaatvedt family, an adventurous group of five who followed our dream, quit our jobs, packed our bags and embarked on a year of backpacking through Asia. With us on the journey are three children aged 10 to 16, home schooling and a passion for exploring new cultures, flavors and places off the beaten track.

Through Asia4five, we share our experiences, travel tips and insights to inspire others to travel more – whether it’s on shorter vacations or bigger adventures. We create personalized travel guides, practical tips and honest blog posts to make your journey easier and more memorable.

Join us on the journey! 🚀🌍

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