A Perspective on Moving
Did you know that moving is one of the major stressors in life? Surprisedly, it’s known to be one of the top five most stressful life events, along with divorce and the death of a loved one.
If that’s so, how postponing settling down during an international relocation can affect expatriate transitions?
As I embark on another international move, I keep my fingers crossed that everything goes smoothly and that my family and I get to experience a feeling of normalcy as soon as possible. So, it’s not a relief that our primary home in the United States didn’t sell during the last few months, and it’s off the market for the winter. To make life less complicated for now, my husband and I decided to rent a temporary apartment, in Switzerland, instead of a permanent one.
An unfamiliar environment is a universal stressor to nearly all species, no matter how developed or undeveloped.
Dr. Esther Sternberg
The irony of my situation is that I’m not alone. It’s not uncommon for expatriates to find themselves in similar conditions.
Also, keep in mind that expats who sign up for continued life abroad may do so because we LOVE the stimulations of the change inherent of this lifestyle.
Moving isn’t only stress.
Moving is about new beginnings. It’s about finding confidence in oneself while surrounded by unfamiliar people and places. It’s a fantastic opportunity for personal growth and empowerment. It’s about the stories we create, daily. It’s about self-discovery, and for some or us, freedom of choice and no need for conformity.
Moving can be done right with planning and, yes, hard work. By eliciting support from friends and even strangers, by getting out of our comfort zones and learning new skills, but most importantly by opening our hearts to the adventure in front of us, and finding perfection in our situation and then solutions for our challenges, we are able to discover joy in the midst of almost any type of transition. Because we can.
If you are on a journey of creating a joyful international life, please share what has worked for you.
