Home Renovation - Demolition

Living in a different culture has dismantled and reshaped many of my former ways of thinking, viewing, and living. Much like a home renovation, the process of demolition is both necessary and often painful. It requires effort, energy, and intentionality to tear down walls—both physical and metaphorical. Yet, demolition paves the way for greater safety, sustainability, and growth.

One of the most significant shifts I experienced was in my concept of time. I went from always arriving 20 minutes early to settling for just a few minutes ahead—or even right on time. In the early years, I was focused on efficiency, believing that it would make everything run more smoothly. Instead, I found myself growing increasingly frustrated and impatient with those around me.

Over time, my experiences started to dismantle my rigid perception of time and demolish my overbearing need for control—an insecurity I hadn’t fully recognized until living cross-culturally. As I embraced the local mindset, I began to understand that relationships held more value than the task itself. This realization gradually shifted my focus from doing to simply being. I learned to wait without frustration, to let go of impatience, and to appreciate the rhythm of life in a new way.

What do you need to dismantle or demolish to create space for a deeper, more fulfilling way of living? You do not need to do the demolition alone but in community.

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