Seasons of Friendship: Building Connections and Finding Home in Bali
Let’s talk about friendships in Bali. We’ve been really lucky to meet some incredible people since landing here—locals who’ve welcomed us in with warm smiles, expats who just “get it,” and travelers passing through who’ve left lasting impressions. It’s one of the beautiful parts of this Bali life… the connections. But if I’m being really honest? I don’t have a best friend here. I was asked recently during my Indonesian lesson, “Siapa sahabat kamu?” (Who is your best friend?) And without even thinking I said, “Chad.” Cue the wide eyes from my lovely 21-year-old tutor who just couldn’t comprehend a life without her girl gang. And I get it, but I have never really had a girl gang! But as time passed, seasons changed, babies arrived, houses were moved, careers shifted, and the world felt big and small all at once… the constant has always been this little tribe of ours. Friendships, for us, have come in seasons—beautiful seasons filled with laughter, late-night chats, shared parenting chaos, and sometimes hard goodbyes. And even though some of those friends are now scattered across the globe, they’re still so dear to us. But day to day, it’s mostly just us. Me and that tall, dark, and (still) handsome guy. My co-captain. My laugh-until-I-cry partner. My best friend. We’ve built a life where we’re each other’s go-to, sounding board, coffee date, and crisis team. It might not be everyone’s version of friendship, but for us—it’s gold. ✨ So to anyone in a new place, missing their crew, wondering why the friendships haven’t “clicked” yet—you’re not alone. Some seasons are quiet. Some are loud. Some are deepening what’s right in front of you. And to my tutor—don’t worry, if you stick around long enough I might just call you my BFF too. 😄 #BaliLife #MakingFriendsInBali #FriendshipSeasons #BFFLoveStory #ChadAndMiaOfficial #BaliFamilyFinds #LivingAbroad #RealLifeInBali #IslandLifeReflections #MinimalCrewMaximumHeart
Let’s talk about friendships in Bali—because they’re a little different here.
Since landing on this island paradise, we’ve been lucky to meet a colorful mix of humans: warm-hearted locals with thousand-watt smiles, expats who understand the complexities of starting over, and travelers who breeze through with wisdom and humor in tow. It’s been one of the most unexpected gifts of Bali—connection.
And yet, if I’m honest? I don’t have a “best friend” here. When asked recently during my Indonesian lesson, “Siapa sahabat kamu?”—I said, without skipping a beat, “Chad.” My tutor blinked in confusion—how could I not have a girl gang here?
The truth is, I never really have. Friendship for us comes in seasons—quiet ones, joyful ones, sometimes ones filled with sticky toddlers and shared coffees at sunrise. Beautiful seasons that shift with the tides of this Bali life. Some friends stayed a few months. Others, a few years. But even those who’ve moved on are stitched into our story forever.
Most days, though? It’s just us. Me and Chad. My co-pilot, crisis hotline, spa-day buddy, and pancake partner. Does that count? For us, it’s the whole world—lean and lovely. Minimal crew, maximum heart. 💛
So if you’re new to Bali, missing your crew, or wondering when your ‘people’ will show up—hang in there. Not every season comes with a big circle. Sometimes, it’s about deepening what’s already here, even if it’s just your little family navigating scooters, ceremonies, and sandy toes together.
And friend, if we bump into each other at BAKED or sunrise yoga, don’t be shy. We might just be each other’s new season. 🥰
#BaliLife #MakingFriendsInBali #FriendshipSeasons #RealLifeAbroad #IslandConnections
