The Expatpreneur’s Power-Down Struggle

Always On

As an expatpreneur, my mind is always in motion. Whether tackling client projects, strategizing my next move, or simply managing the day-to-day aspects of running a business, I rarely—if ever—power down. Rest isn't something I instinctively allow myself, and truthfully, I don’t even know if I would recognize it if it arrived gift-wrapped at my doorstep.

The idea of truly switching off feels foreign, almost like I’d be wasting time. But is that mindset sustainable?

What is an entrepreneur?

An entrepreneur is a person who starts and manages a business, assuming financial risks with the goal of making a profit. Entrepreneurs come in many forms, including freelancers, sole proprietors, and small business owners. Many large corporations today began as small entrepreneurial ventures.

While the term 'entrepreneur' may sound more ambitious, in reality, freelancers are also entrepreneurs. Freelancers take on the same financial risks, handling everything from client acquisition to project management while ensuring they remain competitive in their field. The key difference is that some entrepreneurs aim to scale their businesses beyond themselves, while freelancers often work solo. Both, however, require resilience, adaptability, and a willingness to take on uncertainty. 

The Expat Work Mentality That Never Stops

I started working when I was 11, babysitting, which I liked doing. I was passed around by word of mouth and soon I had to turn down desperate moms looking for a babysitter. I worked in an Ice Cream Parlor, which was a restaurant as well, this taught me how to read people, anticipate their needs, and build relationships that kept work flowing. From there, I went into boating equipment sales, working at a medical center and then the University of Pennsylvania Medical Center, and with each job, I learned more and more.

I was always working, always problem-solving. Even now, as an entrepreneur, that same energy drives me. If there’s an issue, I fix it. If there’s an opportunity, I chase it. And if there’s nothing to fix? Well, that’s where the problem lies—I struggle to accept that there’s ever nothing to fix.

The Hidden Cost of Always Being ‘On’

The challenge isn’t just about long hours or constant multitasking. It’s the fact that even when I physically step away, my mind doesn’t. My brain keeps running through open projects, client requests, website tweaks, and marketing ideas. When stress builds, my body doesn’t immediately let it go, even after the issue is resolved. Whether it’s dealing with an accountant’s miscalculations or navigating tensions with neighbors over an ant problem, I find myself carrying the weight long after I should’ve set it down.

And that lingering exhaustion? It doesn’t just disappear. It accumulates.

Why Expatpreneurs Struggle to Unplug

Expats running their businesses face a unique challenge. We’re not just managing our careers; we’re often navigating different time zones, cultural expectations, and the constant need to adapt. Many don’t have a built-in support system nearby, meaning the responsibility falls entirely on us.

If something goes wrong, we fix it. If something is missing, we figure it out. If no one else is taking responsibility, we take it on ourselves.

But that kind of hyper-responsibility comes at a price. The inability to shut down isn’t just a habit—it’s a survival mechanism that, over time, can lead to burnout.

The Reality of the Expatpreneurial Hustle

I’m not just chasing an entrepreneurial dream for the sake of it; I’m carving out a path out of necessity. The book Make Your Own Job by Erik Baker critiques the "entrepreneurial hustle," arguing that it often leads to self-exploitation. But that critique doesn’t quite apply to expatpreneurs like me, who don’t have the luxury of traditional job stability. It goes beyond just learning the local language, securing a visa, or building a local network. For many, especially those over 40 who have experienced separation or divorce, the obstacles are deeply personal and complex. Rebuilding a career after such life events is notably challenging. 

Research indicates that individuals, particularly women, who divorce later in life face significant declines in their standard of living—women experience a 45% decline, while men see a 21% drop. This economic setback makes securing stable employment more difficult.

• Income Disparities & Career Gaps – Many women take on caregiving roles during marriage, leading to career interruptions or reduced working hours. This results in lower lifetime earnings, making it harder to regain financial stability after a separation.

• Job Market Discrimination – Age discrimination in hiring is real, and finding stable employment after 40—especially after a career gap—can be challenging. Employers often prefer younger candidates with “continuous experience” over those who have taken time off for caregiving or relocation.

• Legal & Custody Restrictions – For expat women, the Hague Convention on International Child Abduction adds another layer of difficulty. If children are involved, they may be legally required to remain in the country where they divorced, limiting their ability to return home where job prospects or family support might be better.

• Loss of Shared Assets & Benefits – Divorce often results in financial setbacks due to legal fees, division of assets, and the loss of shared resources like housing, health insurance, and social security benefits.

• Limited Local Networks – Unlike their home country, where they might have strong personal and professional connections, expats often lack the local network that could help them re-enter the workforce.

• Higher Cost of Living – Many expat-heavy cities have a high cost of living, making it even harder for a newly single individual to sustain their previous lifestyle without dual-income support.

These compounded challenges often leave expatpreneurs with limited options, making entrepreneurship not just a choice but a necessity for survival and stability.

Finding a Way to Step Back

So how do you balance the drive to keep pushing forward with the need to recover without feeling like you’re wasting time?

Here are a few things I’m experimenting with:

• Redefining Rest as Productive – Instead of viewing downtime as wasted time, I’m working on reframing it as an investment in future creativity and clarity.

• Creating Small Mental Pauses – Five-minute breaks to step outside, listen to a song, or simply breathe can help reset my nervous system.

• Asking ‘Is This My Responsibility?’ – Before jumping in to fix something, I’m learning to ask myself: Do I actually need to handle this, or am I just defaulting to problem-solving mode?

• Blocking Out Unstructured Time – Structuring breaks into my day helps me feel less guilty about taking them. If it’s on my schedule, it must be important, right?

• Experimenting with Play – Doing something just for fun (without a goal or outcome) still feels unnatural, but I’m easing into it. Small creative projects or even just exploring new ideas for the sake of curiosity help shift my mindset.

Can I Learn to Switch Off?

I don’t think I’ll ever be the kind of person who completely powers down. But maybe that’s not the goal. Maybe the real challenge is learning to recognize when staying on is no longer productive and allowing myself the space to breathe without feeling guilty for it.

Finding balance doesn’t mean stopping completely—it means knowing when to slow down. I’m learning that taking a break doesn’t mean failure, and stepping back for a moment can actually bring clarity. The challenge isn’t just physical exhaustion but the mental toll of always feeling 'on.'

It’s also about rewiring how I measure success. Success isn’t just about working the hardest; it’s about working smart. It’s about realizing that rest isn’t a waste of time but a crucial part of staying creative, motivated, and engaged in the long run.

I’m actively trying to build moments of pause into my schedule, whether that means stepping away from my screen, taking a short walk, or engaging in a hobby that has nothing to do with work. It’s a process, but I’m hoping that by shifting my mindset, I can make sustainability a priority in my career and personal life.

For fellow expatpreneurs out there—do you struggle with this too? Have you found ways to balance the constant drive to work with the need to rest? Let’s talk!

Are you having a hard time unplugging? 

Is it because you're juggling everything—website development, branding design, and social media marketing—on your own? Handling it all can be overwhelming for an expatpreneur, but you don’t have to do it alone.

Let’s talk about how delegating these tasks can give you the freedom to focus on what truly matters—growing your business and reclaiming your time!

Contact me for a consultation!