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I Used to Freeze at Small Talk — and How I Turned It Around
𝐌𝐲 𝐃𝐮𝐭𝐜𝐡 𝐏𝐚𝐫𝐭𝐧𝐞𝐫 𝐓𝐡𝐨𝐮𝐠𝐡𝐭 𝐓𝐡𝐢𝐬 𝐖𝐚𝐬 𝐚 𝐖𝐚𝐬𝐭𝐞 𝐨𝐟 𝐓𝐢𝐦𝐞 I promise I’ll talk about small talk in a minute. But first… let’s do some small talk (or mid-size talk? lol). So, I’ve spent the last few weeks back home in Australia – intentionally slowing down, stepping away from work, and soaking up time with…
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I Walked Away From Everything I Built in Australia
Ever since I relocated to Europe from Sydney, I’ve been asked on multiple occasions —“Why did you leave Sydney?”“Were you running away from something?” Funny enough, I got the same question when I moved from Melbourne to Sydney back in 2020.And then again, when I moved from Croatia to the Netherlands in 2023. Long story…
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Why Vocabulary Learning Is Basically Like Dating (and How to Make It Work)
Vocabulary learning is actually a lot like dating and relationships 🤫⠀In the beginning, it’s fun to meet new “connections” – just like dating or making new friends.⠀But the truth is, you CAN’T build something meaningful with ALL of them.⠀To truly connect, you’ve got to give a few the time and attention they deserve.⠀Same with words.…
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Ask Anita 📮: I’m Working on My English for a Better Job… But Progress Feels So Slow
Q: “I’m working on my English for a better job… But why does progress feel so slow?” ⠀Hey! Thank you for reaching out, and I’m glad you’re finding value in our Facebook community. (Join us here if you haven’t already!) ⠀First, I want to acknowledge your effort in improving your English. It’s clear that you’re…
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You Moved Abroad—and Lost Yourself. Now What?
Dear One, When you first moved abroad, did you have to sacrifice a big part of what made you you? Maybe you were the outgoing one – organising get-togethers, speaking up in meetings. Or the confident professional, grounded in your work, your language, your rhythm. Then suddenly, you were somewhere new. New rules. New systems.…
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When My Fluent English Made Me Feel Guilty
For years, English was my thing. Until it wasn’t. ⠀It wasn’t just a language I learned and loved – it became part of who I was.I was the girl who picked it up quickly.The one who built a career out of it.The only non-native English teacher among native-speaking colleagues.Heck, I even built an entire business based…
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Ask Anita 📮: How to Handle Accent Insecurity
Q: “I feel that people treat me differently when they notice my accent. How do I deal with this?” ⠀Ahhh, I get it! This was something I tiptoed around for years too. Having lived in Australia for 15+ years, you’ll hear Aussie in my accent, but it definitely still carries little echoes of my roots.⠀I…
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Teaching International Baccalaureate (IB) in Europe: How It All Started
Wait… You’re a high school teacher ?? Teaching in Europe ?? I haven’t really talked much about my life as a high school teacher. Honestly? It’s a bit like being on a fast-moving train—constantly in motion, always surrounded by people, and barely a moment to catch your breath. I love working with people, but as…
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How Europe Changed Me: An Unexpected Lesson from an Australian Immigrant
It’s been 1.5 years since I officially moved to the Netherlands from Sydney.⠀I didn’t move to Europe looking for poetry in the everyday.⠀I moved because I felt that quiet itch—the kind that creeps in when life starts to feel a bit too predictable. You know the one. That voice in your late 20s or early…
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I Stopped Searching for Friends—And Found Them (Here’s How)
When I first arrived in the Netherlands, I was eager to make friends. Back in Sydney, I used to host Meetups myself and loved seeing how much joy and connection these events brought to people. Naturally, I thought attending Meetups here would be a great way to build my own social circle. So, off I…
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