Adapting to the pace of life in Indonesia

Cheryl Moderator

Member since 15 October 2018

CherylModerator23 August 2023 05:37:09

15009

Hello everyone,

When you move to Indonesia, you may find that the pace of life is different from what you're used to. Shop opening times, working hours, sleep cycles and variations in sunlight can all have an effect on your life in Indonesia as an expat and require time to adapt. This transition can be a source of surprises, adjustments and sometimes even frustration for those trying to find their balance in this new environment.

Here are a few questions to help you better understand how you manage your days in Indonesia :

How have you managed to harmonise your own pace of life with the pace of life in Indonesia?

Have you felt a change in your biological rhythm (diet, sleep, energy, etc.)? How can you minimise the effects on your well-being and adapt to changes in your circadian rhythm?

How have you adjusted your sleeping habits to optimise your energy and concentration in a different environment?

Shopping, meal and activity times can differ from one culture to another. How do you manage to reconcile your personal habits with those of life in Indonesia? What are the benefits and challenges of these adjustments?

How do different working hours affect your productivity and quality of life? What have you done to maintain a work-life balance despite these changes?

Please feel free to share your experiences and advice on this topic.
Thank you for your contribution.

Cheryl
Expat.com Team

Fred Indonesia Expert

Member since 02 August 2009

A smile is the universal welcome.
Max Eastman

FredIndonesia Expert23 August 2023 06:24:36

29914

Sunlight/Night is roughly 12/12, and a lot of Indonesians are not more than a couple of steps away from village life.

When I lived in a village I got used to going to bed at 8 and getting up at 4am. That's handy now I'm working again as I get a very easy start to my day.

Fred Indonesia Expert

Member since 02 August 2009

A smile is the universal welcome.
Max Eastman

FredIndonesia Expert23 August 2023 06:27:46

29914

There's a phrase in Indonesian - Tidak apa apa.

It's more than just "It doesn't matter", it's more like a way of life for non-professional Indonesians, and more than a few who work in government offices.

See you at 5 can mean 5, 6, 7, or when it stops raining.

Fred Indonesia Expert

Member since 02 August 2009

A smile is the universal welcome.
Max Eastman

FredIndonesia Expert23 August 2023 06:31:10

29914

Shopping centres open at 10 am.

That doesn't mean all the shops will be open, but the place will be.

Many convenience stores open at 7, but there are 24 hour ones all over the place.

Supermarkets are usually 7 or 8 am opening.

Fred Indonesia Expert

Member since 02 August 2009

A smile is the universal welcome.
Max Eastman

FredIndonesia Expert23 August 2023 06:33:02

29914

Diet - The country is full of amazing foods.

Get wild and try as many as possible.

wyngrove60 Serial expat

Member since 08 May 2021

wyngrove60Serial expat23 August 2023 07:54:56

400

Hi Cheryl.

Well I've lived in five different countries in Asia spanning the past 38 years. Moving to Indonesia has provided me with the most relaxed lifestyle so far. It's also the cheapest place I have lived. We do not have fixed daily schedules in our life here in Indonesia. For example, this morning we had breakfast at a nearby cafe, then I did a little gardening. After that we went out and bought some sacks of soil/compost, went to a shopping mall to let my daughter buy some things a it was recently her birthday, had lunch at the mall, then on the way home bought some takeaway food from a restaurant. It's pretty much like that most days, taking it easy, sometimes staying in and sometimes going out.

I don't sleep as long as I used to in other countries, but I quite often have an afternoon nap for an hour or two most days. I also work out with weights about 5 days a week and generally try to limit my eating to more healthy foods but I still eat many of the delicious foods to be found here.

Compared to all the other Asian countries that I have lived in, Indonesia is definitely the most relaxed.