Upon arriving in Taiwan, I felt I was falling behind.
Someone else was already fluent in Mandarin. Another had saved half a million pesos. A few were posting night market snaps like they were on a travel show. Meanwhile, I was stuck in a routine of factory shifts, heat packs, and figuring out how to use the trash bins correctly.
But the more I talked to other OFWs, the clearer it became: behind every post was a quiet struggle, a missed meal, or a silent prayer.
So if you’re tempted to compare your journey to someone else’s, here’s what I’ve learned:
What You See Isn’t the Full Picture
Most people don’t post about being yelled at in the dorm, breaking down on the phone with family, or eating instant noodles for the third night in a row.
Social media is a highlight reel, not a diary. And comparing your entire life to someone else’s best five seconds will never be a fair fight.
I remember watching someone I followed post about her daily boba tea, cute outfits, and weekend travels. I thought, Am I missing out? But when we finally spoke, she shared how she cried herself to sleep every Sunday, missing home. That moment changed how I saw everything—she was doing her best, just like I was.
Tip: Sometimes, unfollowing or muting helped me protect my peace. Other times, it meant reaching out and realizing we weren’t so different after all.
Different Goals, Different Routes
I met a guy who sends home 70% of his salary. He barely goes out but plans to start a small business in Bicol next year.
I met another who takes Mandarin classes at night, hoping to eventually get PR and settle down.
We’re all here for different reasons—and that means we’ll take different paths, hit milestones at different times, and define “success” in completely different ways.
When I accepted that I wasn’t in Taiwan to compete—I was here to build stability—it freed me to make slower, more grounded choices. Some weeks, success looked like finishing a shift without back pain. And that was enough.
Success Has No Expiration Date
Maybe you haven’t bought a lot, learned the language, or earned that raise yet.
But yet is a powerful word.
You’re growing even if it doesn’t show on paper. You’re getting stronger even if no one sees it.
Success isn’t a race—it’s a rhythm. And if yours is slower, that doesn’t make it any less real.
My first promotion didn’t come until my third contract renewal. Before that, I watched others move up while I was still learning how to communicate clearly with my supervisor. But every slow season built something in me—patience, skill, and grit. Now, I can look back and say, I earned this in a way no shortcut ever could.
A late bloom is still a full bloom.
Comparison Breeds Insecurity, Not Clarity
The more I compared, the more I questioned my worth.
The clothes I wore, the job I had, the choices I made.
Eventually, I had to pause and ask: Am I living my life, or trying to live someone else’s?
Clarity came when I stopped measuring and started reflecting.
What matters to you? What kind of life feels meaningful on your terms?
I once skipped a community picnic just because I didn’t have the “right” clothes. I told myself I was tired, but the truth? I was ashamed. It took months before I learned to show up anyway—messy hair, budget shoes, and all. The real connections came when I stopped performing and started being real.
Your Struggles Are Shaping a Story That’s Yours Alone
The cold winters. The long shifts. The smell of stinky tofu wafting through the window at 2 AM.
These aren’t failures—they’re proof.
Proof that you’re doing something brave, even if it doesn’t look glamorous.
Proof that you’re living a story only you could write.
I still remember my first Christmas away from home. I cried quietly under a thin blanket while watching a blurry video call. But I also remember the co-worker who gave me a spare charger and the kind security guard who offered extra rice from his own lunchbox. These small kindnesses stitched my story together.
Final Thoughts
No two Taiwan journeys will ever look exactly alike—and that’s how it should be.
The comparisons, the pressure, the invisible timelines we measure ourselves against—they can all cloud what’s actually happening: growth, grit, and quiet wins that don’t always make it online.
Wherever you are right now—whether you’re adjusting to your first job, learning a new language, or just trying to get through the week—know that your experience is valid. It doesn’t need to look impressive to anyone else to be real or meaningful.
Stay grounded in what matters to you.
Stay focused on the life you’re building.
That’s enough. More than enough.