Finding Balance in Belize: How Living Simply Changed My Life and My Work as a Therapist
Why We Left Texas for Belize
Two years ago, my wife and I made the decision to sell nearly everything—our house, our cars, and most of our belongings—and move to Belize. We had been visiting for about eight years, exploring different parts of the country, and every time we came back, it felt more like home.
When we told people about our plan, most thought we were making a huge mistake. Why would you leave a comfortable life in Texas for a small village in another country? But something about Belize called to us. We wanted a simpler, more authentic existence—one where time felt slower and life was about connection, not consumption.
Couldn’t have done this without my amazing wife
Building a Home and a New Rhythm of Life
Today, we live in Hopkins, a small coastal village in southern Belize. Our home is modest—800 square feet with a 400-square-foot covered porch—but it’s perfect for us. We spend a lot of time outside, listening to the rain during hurricane season or enjoying quiet, breezy evenings when the dry season returns.
We’ve started growing bananas, oranges, papayas, pineapples, and other fruits and vegetables. Our dogs love the freedom here, running on the beach and chasing after iguanas. Life is far from perfect—there are power outages, patchy internet days, and very few of the conveniences we were used to in the U.S.—but there’s also a sense of calm that we never had before.
Moving day
Working as a Therapist from Paradise
I work four days a week, seeing about 20 to 25 clients online. Between sessions, I take walks on the beach or swim in one of the nearby pools. Sometimes the electricity goes out and I switch to my phone for sessions, but my clients are patient and understanding.
My dogs often make appearances in therapy—usually napping nearby or occasionally popping into view. Clients apricate the therapy dogs. Working from Belize has made me a better therapist in ways I didn’t expect. The slower pace, daily connection to nature, and focus on gratitude have helped me show up more grounded and authentic with my clients.
My therapy dogs
Living More Authentically
I turned 40 this year, and I can honestly say I feel the healthiest and most content I ever have. Living here has stripped away distractions and made space for what truly matters—connection, purpose, and presence.
The simplicity of life in Belize reminds me every day that happiness isn’t found in things—it’s in how we live and relate to others. Whether it’s walking barefoot on the sand, tending to our fruit trees, or listening to the ocean during sessions, I’m reminded of how healing it can be just to slow down.
Break time
Challenges and Gratitude
There are challenges, of course. Sometimes I miss the convenience of ordering something online or going to a movie theater (we don’t have one). There are moments of frustration when the power cuts out during the hottest part of the day. But there’s also gratitude—for the slower mornings, the warmth of the people in Hopkins, and the joy of seeing my clients thrive, even from across the ocean.
Living here has been a reminder that life doesn’t have to look conventional to be meaningful. The move that many thought was a mistake turned out to be the best decision we’ve ever made.
This is what 40 looks like
Final Thoughts
Choosing to live and work in Belize has been an experiment in authenticity—both personally and professionally. It’s taught me that you don’t need perfect conditions to create a fulfilling life. Sometimes, the greatest growth happens when you let go of comfort and choose connection instead.
Every day, I get to work with people navigating their own changes and challenges. And as I sit here, hearing the waves outside my window, I’m grateful that I took the leap—because now, I’m living the life I always wanted to help others find.
