Moving to Bali is a dream for many, but for this adventurous family, it became a reality. In this interview, we speak with a mother of three who left the U.S. in search of a more meaningful lifestyle, an alternative education for her children at Green School, and a deeper connection to nature and community. She shares insights into their transition, the joys and challenges of island life, and how Bali has transformed their family’s daily experience. From building new friendships to embracing a slower, more intentional way of living, this inspiring journey offers a glimpse into what life in Bali can truly be like.
Can you tell us a little bit about yourself? Where are you originally from?
Originally from Columbus, GA USA, I’m a mother of three, a wife, an entrepreneur, a yogini, and a lover of jasmine green tea. I founded a yoga and wellness center in the U.S. which is still the other love of my life and since moving to Bali I have been on the journey of birthing a new business called Time for Tea, where I help people reconnect to who they are and remember why they’re here.
My forever passion is the journey of evolution and I feel like my soul’s mission is finding opportunities to do so- through yoga, travel, the world of wellness… but most of my growth and expansion happens through motherhood.
When did you first arrive in Bali, and how long do you wish to live here?
We arrived in July, 2024 and have no idea how long we’ll be here. Our initial intention was one school year, but now that we are over halfway through our first school year, we can’t imagine leaving just yet!
What motivated you to move to Bali, and how did you go about making the decision to do so?
The biggest motivator for moving to Bali was a desire to get out of autopilot living and beyond that it was a desire for a different type of education for our children- both through actual school but also through lifestyle. We wanted to be immersed in another culture; we wanted to experience the magic that comes with the unknown; we wanted life to feel sacred and ceremonial.
We knew a shift from our hometown was needed, but really left it all up to the universe. We had our hearts set on Green School for the children because we were craving a life where they were outside most of the day, where project based learning and nature was at the center of their educational experience, where shoes were optional… We decided our acceptance to Green School would be the green light for Bali. If one or both were not accepted, then we would reroute. Long story short, both were accepted and we decided in that moment that Bali was a go.
How did you hear about Our Year in Bali, and what was your experience with Simone’s support?
We learned about Our Year in Bali after our acceptance to Green School. I was deep in research of all things Bali and truthfully a bit overwhelmed in regard to the logistics of it all. The inspiration part was a breeze- finding inspiring places to visit, school, future housing… but the logistics of moving a family of 5 to the other side of the globe was quite daunting.
Enter the magic of Simone! Her support for ensuring we had crossed all T’s and dotted all I’s was extremely helpful and really gave us a peace of mind that was invaluable. But the greatest asset was Simone playing matchmaker. She introduced us to another family who was moving from America and attending the Green School who she thought we would vibe with and she was right- they were the first people we met in Bali and are now some of our closest friends on the island. Priceless.
Where in Bali do you live? Describe the neighbourhood, community, etc.
We live in Penestanan which is a village just outside Ubud Center. We live in an eco village in the jungle about 25 minutes from our children’s school and 10 minutes to the centre of Ubud, which is the mecca of all things art, culture, wellness, and healing. It’s truly the best of all worlds for us because there are so many incredible restaurants and cafes, unbelievable yoga studios, nature galore, and it’s dripping in rich and real balinese culture.
Our village feels like an old fashioned movie where the children have freedom to play with the other kids in the village until dinnertime, where everyone knows each other, and everyone genuinely seems to have your best interest at heart. We have rice paddies all around and can easily walk to cafes and other businesses through the notorious little alleyways of Ubud. While there is a lot of growth happening, this area still holds that old school Bali charm.
As a family, how has the transition been, and what benefits do you think Bali will provide the family?
The most beautiful thing has been seeing our children completely out of their comfort zones and not blinking an eye. There is no greater education than travel and because of the location, it is so easy to travel to other islands in Indonesia, other parts of Bali, and even other countries in Southeast Asia. But more than anything, it’s just so powerful to have them engaged daily with people from all over the world. It has expanded us in ways we never knew possible.
It is definitely hard to be away from our families in the States, but this experience has given us an opportunity to step away for a moment to really assess who we are, what our values are, and what we want our daily lives to look and feel like. We needed a full reset to feel into this and because Bali is overflowing with so many options for literally anything you can imagine, it has held us and nurtured us in the most epic of ways.
You are sending the kids to the Green School; how has school life been in Bali so far?
Green School is the dream environment for our children. We have an 8 yr old and 11yr old who are truly living their best lives. They adore the independence and freedom that comes with such an expansive and open campus. They love that they’re always outside and learning by doing instead of with worksheets and testing. The school isn’t for everyone. I think that’s important to note because of this very reason- no homework, no grades, etc.
That is the very reason we were interested in Green School though. We want our children to be in learning environments that encourage them to explore their passions, that do not measure by testing or grades, and promote the importance of being good humans above all else. We spent a year homeschooling (or un-schooling) before we journeyed to Bali so we had already spent a year detoxing from the education system, which I think was incredibly helpful before taking this leap and making this move because in order to really get the most out of Green School, it’s so vital that your willing to accept different possibilities for ways in which children can learn, it’s important that you’re willing to understand that they learn more by doing, rather than memorising.
This is hard to measure so you have to be ok with releasing the need of knowing if your child is “excelling” in math or literacy and instead trust that they are learning exactly what they’re meant to be learning based on what lights them up and brings them joy. At the end of the day, we simply want our children to be happy humans and love their everyday lives and I can confidently say this is the case. They are so lit up when they come home from school and can’t wait to go back on Monday. They are talking to us more than ever also because they’re engaged and excited. They WANT to tell us about their day!
How has the cost of living compared to back in the States? What are you able to afford that you wouldn’t normally, for example?
Whew! This is a huge reason why life here is so sweet… because the cost of living is significantly lower, we feel so much more abundant especially with food. When your food is grown down the road, the cost is so low and that is heavenly when you have 3 children. I feel like we can take care of ourselves so much better here through food and massage, through finding interesting things to do, and having so much help around the house and with the children. The Balinese people are so kind and loving. They are the most nurturing people I’ve ever encountered and we feel so blessed to be able to afford the lifestyle we’re living here.
How has living in Bali influenced your personal and professional life, and what opportunities have you found here?
I founded a Yoga and Wellness Center in the U.S. 11 years ago and it is still up and running thanks to an amazing team of dedicated, trustworthy, and passionate people. Now that we are settled in Bali, I have been gifted space to explore my career beyond the yoga studio and it has been a beautiful and unexpected journey. The energy in Bali is fertile… you can’t help but be inspired by the nature, the spirituality, the nourishment, the opportunities for self care and personal growth, which makes it the perfect place to get really clear and explore what it is you’d like to offer the world.
I have offered energy readings for my clients for years where I combine Astrology and Human Design in order to help people weave together their details and intricacies into a grand tapestry to gain a clearer understanding of who they came on this planet to be. I help them remember their gifts, purpose, and magic so they can live lives of even deeper meaning, enjoyment, and purpose.
Because I am now on the other side of the world and time zones are a bit challenging, I’ve had to get more creative with my offerings and it has be so lovely to get even more creative with what I offer the world. As a result of all of this coupled with the healing medicine that is Mama Bali, I feel more held and nurtured than ever before so the floodgates of creative potential have opened and I have recently started a podcast, blog, and am writing a book as well. It’s the change in environment, being inspired daily, having a plethora of Nature surrounding me always, lots of help around the house and with the children, care for my body, mind, and spirit that have come together to create these heavenly conditions for personal and career expansion.
What are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced?
Most of the challenges have actually turned into blessings… like not being able to order anything I want at anytime off amazon, not being able to do huge grocery runs because I can’t fit it all on my motorbike, heavy and wild rains, navigating traffic on a new mode of transport, lice (eeeek) in my children’s hair every now and then as a result of living and going to school in the jungle, critters and creatures in our kitchen and living space because we don’t have windows, doors, or walls where we live. But, truthfully, it’s all about mindset and perspective: since I can’t buy whatever I want when I want, I’m so much more conscious and intentional about what we’re buying and consuming so we’re only getting what we truly need.
Heavy rains are actually quite romantic and force you to be ok with changing plans, make you more adaptable, and oftentimes make you sit down to let the rain pass before flying off to your next errand or engagement. No walls means we’re outside all day long, so we’re literally bathing in the magic of the jungle all the time, which can be a bit frustrating at times with the lizards (and their poop) but 100% worth it- my nervous system is so grateful of the constant contact with nature.
Traffic and motorbikes means we’re more mindful about where we’re going and when… plus, the motorbikes are so much fun- it’s like riding a jet ski on land. You also have to be extremely aware and mindful so there is no option to cruise in autopilot here, which is so much better for the brain. And then there’s the lice… I bet you were wondering how I’d find a silver lining to that one… in truth- it’s annoying. However, I spend time with my children every night now brushing their hair. We connect and chat about the day. It’s a sweet and sacred time I will continue to do even when and if we no longer live in the jungle.
What are your favourite things to do in Bali? Any new hobbies and interests?
No question about it- I absolutely adore the self-care and spirituality scene here. I would spend everyday doing yoga, getting massage, and receiving sound baths if I could. Ubud is literally like a candy shop for all things wellness and healing so you name it and it exists here. Any type of massage you could imagine- but I must say, you can’t go wrong with a classic Balinese Massage… there are head spa, sound healing pyramids, ayurveda centers, health food EVERYWHERE, yoga, meditation, breath work- any type of healing you could ever want or desire. Many people poke fun at Ubud for that reason but for me, it is THE reason we live here… not the only reason, but top 3 for sure.
What is a day in a life?
Wake up to have my morning tea amongst the sounds of the jungle before the children rise. We walk the children to the cafe where they catch the Green School Bio Bus. Many days, the parents sit and chat for a while over tea or coffee. Then I typically go to yoga or pilates, have brunch/lunch. Come home to work. If I have time, I get a massage before the children come home from school. Then it’s after school activities for the older two- usually soccer, dance, or circus arts- when there’s no activity, you can find the children at the pool with the other village children living their best lives.
Dinner is a mixture of ordering in because it’s so easy and affordable to have incredible food delivered to your door, going out because there are so many incredible options, and cooking in because we get organic produce delivered weekly from Island Organics. Then we usually play games at our villa, get cleaned up, and do lice checks before reading and going to bed.
On the weekends, we will either visit a waterfall, explore Ubud, go to the beach, or go North to the mountains… However, lately the children have been loving hanging out in the village because there are so many children they love playing with- they will play for HOURS all over the village and come running through our villa when they need a snack.
What do you think are the biggest misconceptions about Bali, and how would you correct them?
That there’s too much traffic. Don’t get me wrong, there are places where there is lots of traffic and it is brutal, but we typically avoid those places so it’s not a problem for us.
What has been some of your favourite discoveries so far and findings travelling beyond Bali?
We absolutely love exploring the islands around Bali. Our favorite so far has been Gili Asahan- if you go stay at Gili Asahan Eco Lodge. Best food, amazing snorkeling right off the beach and dreamy vibes all around!
What are some factors that families looking to live in Bali should consider?
For us, the most brilliant thing about living here is the community aspect of living in a village as well as being immersed in nature. We also love the ability to walk to restaurants, yoga, and cafes. It sounds like finding a unicorn or a needle in a haystack, but I assure you, it’s possible. Get clear on your values as a family first and don’t just go with the pretty villa (because trust and believe there are SOOO many beautiful villas). Is the area going to serve your preferred lifestyle?
Is there anything else you would like to share about your experience living in Bali that we haven’t covered yet?
People call Bali “Mama Bali” for good reason. She holds the energy of a divine and fertile mother. She gives off the energy of being incredibly nurturing and nourishing while also holding the stance of “mama knows best.” She will hold you in ways you’ve never been held, she will also challenge you in ways you didn’t know possible. All of it is for your highest good. Mama really does know best.
The word Ubud means medicine and that’s what I feel from this sacred island. We might not always want the medicine being served, but we know it will make us better, it will heal us. My greatest advice is surrender to the mothering energy. Let he work her magic over you and through you. Resist the urge to copy and paste the life you’re coming from and instead let yourself be fully enveloped and swept away by the medicine and care. In the sweet moments, surrender. In the hard moments, surrender. You will become a more evolved version of yourself here. Embrace it.
