Diary of an accompanying partner

Diary of an Accompanying Partner Episode 11: Bogged down The chaos of the move continues to deliver, from moving trucks getting stuck (twice), to last-minute logistics and life admin. There’s a lot of “I’m done” energy. Amidst this, Jo and her family have managed some meaningful goodbyes, people close to Jo are sharing big news before she leaves. It’s a week that captures the messy overlap of logi...

Diary of an Accompanying Partner Episode 10: Boxed in We join Jo quite literally surrounded by boxes as her home is being packed up around her. After the emotional rollercoaster of the auction, there’s finally movement: a buyer secured through a chance network connection, bringing cautious optimism. While the logistics are intense, there’s also a noticeable shift in Jo’s mindset. The stress of unc...

Diary of an Accompanying Partner Episode 9: The auction room Episode 9 is a real-time snapshot of transition at its messiest, as Jo joins straight after a disappointing house auction. What was meant to be a clear “line in the sand” moment, closing one chapter before moving countries, instead becomes another layer to navigate. Despite weeks of preparation and scenario planning, the reality of a low...

Diary of an Accompanying Partner Episode 8: Running on three hours Jo joins us after three hours of sleep and a 4am run to the airport. This is as close as we’re going to get to Emma’s goal of making Jo cry on camera as the count down to last nights in the house, handing over the dog, and hosting a farewell party are truly in play now. Jo also reports back on the “homework” from last week. She’s l...

Diary of an Accompanying Partner ep7: Scenario planning isn’t self-care Jo’s in the last-month “twilight zone” where the biggest dominoes (house, cars, packing) are yet to fall, while at the same time she’s starting to say goodbye to people and places that might be “the last time.” Instead of leaning into her usual management tools - to-do lists and tidy action plans - she’s defaulting to scenario...

Diary of an Accompanying Partner Episode 6: Dog dental drama Jo checks in from a slightly calmer week post-Bangkok: still busy, but with fewer dramatic curveballs (depending on your stance on dog dental bills). She talks through the slow-but-fast pace of relocation admin, the weird reality of being “the point of contact” while still being ignored, and the constant drip of costs as they finalise ho...

Diary of an Accompanying Partner Episode 5: Lifting anchor The passports (and the mail truck!) have arrived, just in time for Jo to decide she doesn’t actually want to do that quick turnaround trip back to Bangkok. This is a conversation about changing your mind, recognising when you’re doing too much, and potentially doing it anyway (think farewell party with 50+ people days before selling your h...

If this episode resonated with you, you’re not alone. ellora. is a global membership community for accompanying partners navigating the realities of international relocation — from career disruption and identity shifts to rebuilding connection, confidence, and community abroad. As a member, you’ll gain access to: Live expert conversations Global networking opportunities Member-only events Practica...

Diary of an Accompanying Partner Episode 4: Glass half full Jo’s back from her whirlwind trip to Bangkok trip, jetlagged, slightly delirious and having proudly secured an apartment after landing to a flurry of texts in Australia. It’s a check-in on the reality of decision-making under pressure, being the emotional “cheer squad” for your family, and the complicated mix of pride, jealousy, excitemen...

Diary of an Accompanying Partner ep 3: Waiting on the mail truck Episode three captures a week where logistics officially take over. Jo’s husband has started work…in Bangkok, the kids are back at school with big emotions, and Jo is holding the centre while the admin pile grows. A simple passport check snowballs into a very rural and relocation ready reality. Alongside the overwhelm, Jo reflects on...

Diary of an Accompanying Partner ep 2: Pack Cheese!! Episode two drops us straight into the thick of that in-between phase where the decision has been made, but nothing feels settled yet. Jo is on holidays, but unable to relax due to the long to do list she can't action yet and feeling like she's holding everyone else’s emotions, while fielding logistics from all angles. This is a very rea...

Welcome to episode one of Diary of an Accompanying Partner! In this inaugural episode, ellora. co-founders Emma Humann and Jo Palmer reveal that Jo will be relocating to Bangkok with her family and will be documenting the experience through weekly recorded conversations. To watch the recording on YouTube, head to the playlist ⁠here.⁠ This episode covers: - A look back at how the move came about an...

Welcome to Diary of an Accompanying Partner, where ellora. co-founders Emma Humann and Jo Palmer explore the often invisible experience of accompanying partners navigating relocation, identity shifts, career disruption and starting over. This series is a record of a relocation in real time, with honest conversations about ambition, belonging, resilience and the emotional complexity of supporting s...