Hello! My name is Alyse, and I’m a nurse who moved to Japan for my husband’s job, thus, resulting in a quarter-life crisis. My life in Okinawa has been amazing, except for the fact that there is no need for an experienced Pediatric Oncology/Hematology/Bone Marrow Transplant Nurse here.

My unemployment forced me to take a longer look at my life than I ever wanted to. It made me realize I had lost myself a little in my career. Nursing had become my identity. While that’s fine for some nurses, this is not what I want for me.

While I still have a great love for nursing and intend to continue to pursue my nursing career, this move has forced me to take a step back. However, I honestly believe this is what I needed. My love for my job kept me working, but I would be lying if I didn’t admit I was burnt out.

I have decided to use this time I have been given to dive into Japan living and re-discover what it means to be “me”. Hence, why I’ve named this blog, Almost Alyse. 

I hope to share the experiences my husband, Scott, and I have while living in this amazing country, but also show anyone else who is feeling a little lost in their adult life that they’re not alone.

Having to uproot my life and my career has left me feeling more lost than ever before, but wouldn’t life be so boring if it always went “according to plan”?