Good question.
After more than 26 stays across different countries, I would say my biggest insight is this:
We don’t just take care of pets or properties — we step into someone else’s version of “normal.” (I borrowed that phrase from someone here and think it describes it perfectly.) Every home has its own energy and rhythm. Some pets are independent and free-spirited, others are deeply attached to their owners, and some become surprisingly attached to me after just a few days.
Being able to adapt quickly, give animals their space while still being fully present, and offer owners reassurance and trust from the very beginning is probably one of the most important skills we’ve brought with us — and continued to develop.
I also believe that experienced sitters gain a kind of logistical competence that is often underestimated. You constantly manage new systems:
– heating, water filters, security systems, waste separation
– local regulations, neighbours, tradespeople
– and all of this across different countries and even continents.
When it comes to living spaces, I’ve learned how strongly my surroundings affect my own nervous system. Clean, uncluttered homes feel spacious and calm to me. Chaotic or crowded spaces can feel heavy. That awareness has changed how I choose sits — and how I imagine my own future home.
I no longer accept everything that looks appealing. I choose based on:
– the energy of the home and the owner
– clarity in communication
– tidiness and overall care
– age and health state of the pets
Lifestyle-wise: less truly is more. I travel with one standard suitcase and still negotiate weight limits every time. Every item becomes a conscious decision. At the same time, I deeply value a few personal essentials — specific skincare products, supplements, a simple wooden spoon for cooking. For me, minimalism is not sacrifice. It’s intentionality.
And perhaps the most important lesson: adaptability is a muscle. New beds, new kitchens, new rules, new animals — and yet after a few days, it becomes everyday life again. Alongside that comes learning to handle my own emotions — the quiet goodbyes, the constant arriving and leaving.
Most of our experiences have been wonderful. A few were challenging. But even those were teachers.
I’d love to hear what others have discovered about themselves along the way.
