We gave up city life and moved to Bali. It was a lot more challenging than we expected.

• Nadia Rose and her partner, Steve Willis, left Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, in 2022 to move to Bali, Indonesia.
• One of the biggest struggles they faced was giving up big city comforts for island living.
• Over time, they learned to be more fluid and embraced the island's slower pace of life.

This as-told-to essay is based on a conversation with Nadia Rose, a 31-year-old feminine embodiment guide and creative director in Bali. She also runs a YouTube channel with her partner, Steve Willis, about their life on the island. This essay has been edited for length and clarity.