Two Weeks In: The Small Wins of Making a New Place Home

Hi, Readers!

We’ve been here just two weeks, and already life feels a little less like a stranger’s and more like ours — one cozy corner, one small moment at a time.

The move and transition have been a whirlwind of events and emotions. Settling in isn’t instant; it’s built on small, incremental victories that slowly turn a new place into home.

The Small Wins

Finding familiar routines is getting easier with each day. I’m not usually someone who craves routine, but I’ve found myself yearning for it this past week. I know it will take time, so for now I’m celebrating the little victories — like biking to and from school! (A surprise but necessary development after realizing there was no direct public transportation route.) It’s been refreshing to bike daily, and the kids now look forward to our family rides too.

Unpacking and organizing both at home and school has helped me feel more grounded. Putting together a new bookcase with all my beloved reads and bookish goodies made the living room feel more like us. My other favorite corner can be found in the kitchen. Something about a big bowl of fruit and veggies, a cutting board with my mom’s handwritten cookie recipe, and a new ivy plant just feels right.

Exploring Zagreb and our neighborhood has been another gift. We lucked out with not one, but two playgrounds right next door — quickly nicknamed the “red park” and “dragon park” by the kids. They’ve been our saving grace on hard days. Down the street is a family-owned bakery we unapologetically visit weekly for pizza, bread, and pastries. (The hunt for a favorite coffee shop is still ongoing — I’ll report back soon!)

The Emotional Wins

If I’m honest, the emotions have been a roller coaster. Some days grief comes in big waves, like saying goodbye to our Hannah (sister, auntie, best friend), and to Grandma and Grandpa Finn. Other days it sneaks in quietly, like missing my garden or the convenience of having a car. But even in the hard moments, grief has pushed us to slow down, start new habits, and savor even the smallest things.

Starting over at school has carried its own weight. There’s a sense of urgency of wanting to know everything right away, not wanting to drop a ball I can’t even see yet. New curriculum, new colleagues, new systems. All while trying to manage not just my emotions, but my family’s, too. And yet, despite the challenges, I have never felt more welcomed and supported. That’s the beauty of the international teaching community: everyone here has been in our shoes. They understand the overwhelm, the isolation, the helplessness of not knowing the language or where to begin. The check-ins, encouragement, and genuine support we’ve received in these two weeks have carried us through some really tough days, and for that I´m grateful.

For our own “emotional wins,” we’ve leaned on simple things: learning a few Croatian words like hvala (thank you) and dobar dan (hello- good day), giving ourselves permission to feel whatever comes, sharing extra hugs, and keeping evenings and weekends slow until we find our rhythm.

Looking Ahead

As we move forward, I’m excited for the school year to begin. To meet my new students, to watch Rory settle into preschool, and to hear about Lyra’s first friendships at her Croatian daycare. I’m looking forward to routines clicking into place, to discovering favorite spots around Zagreb, and to building new friendships of our own.

Two weeks in, and we’re learning that home isn’t just a place — it’s where we find comfort, laughter, and each other, even in a city that still feels new.

Thanks for reading,

Haley