I have been living abroad for over two decades and have gone through all those phases. I didn't realize it has a name. Sometimes, we are frustrated by a language barrier, but most of the time, I am actually content that I don't understand some people.
Thank you for this informative and educational post, Desiree. I enjoyed it a lot.
Hi Desiree. I'm contemplating relocating out of the country and have been doing so for quite. along time. It was difficult narrowing down the right place. I knew I wanted a Spanish speaking country, mountains, access to the sea, and assorted climates to visit throughout the country. Colombia is my pick.
I'm 66 and my husband is 67. He travels for a living and I've lived in over 43 places in my lifetime.
I know it's going to be difficult, but for me, it's a lifelong dream of living in another part of the world and exploring a different way of life from what I've always known.
It's funny. I'm more prepared in reading about the worst parts of relocating than the joys, haha, I guess that's the way I roll, anyway nice article. Thank you.
Hi Patti, Thank you. It's good to know I could prepare you more for your move to Columbia (I am rooting for you). I have heard only good things about Columbia. I recently came across the quote from Jamie Lee Curtis: "If not now, when? If not me, who?" When I hear the first part, it gets me going. All the best🌹.
Navigating any change involves losses as well as gains and downs as well as highs. As you say, getting stuck in the dip is what you want to avoid. Awareness of the process, facing issues and acknowledging feelings works best to keep moving forward. Having lived in 9 countries myself, I have been through what you describe several times.
Lisa- Wow! Well said. Acknowledging the feelings- yes! Knowing that it is a part of the process and will pass always helped. Which countries have you lived in?
Thank you for this. You articulate the experience so well, and in a way that really chimes with my first (and probably only!) time moving to live abroad. I moved to Portugal just over 2 years ago, with husband and dog, leaving family, friends and 57 years of life behind. That never all fits in an attic, however hard you might try to close the hatch! The first few months of bliss, followed by the bumps in the road, the doubts, finally to feeling a sense of ‘home’. It’s not easy. It’s also not a fixed place. I fully expect to descend into another trough at some point. But it certainly keeps life interesting 😊 I am in awe you’ve done this so many times!
Hi Michelle,Thank you. It never quite fits into the attic - you are right. That's probably why I have so few things. I was always a minimalists, but I am even more so now as I always have to downsize and throw stuff out before a move. Here's to fewer dips in Portugal and when they come may you handle them with grace!🌹
Thank you - I hope so too! And you're right about the stuff. It's amazing how little of it you really want to hang on to when push comes to shove...it's like shedding a very tattered skin!
Hi Desiree. I also took the leap of moving internationally on my own over 50. I've experienced much the same feeling of swinging from excitement to fear. But regardless the adventure is amazing. Thank you for sharing you story.
@Chet Bailey, I'm happy to hear that I'm not the only one who experiences the dip. In the end, it's so worth it because you learn so much more about who you really are. Thank you.
I have been living abroad for over two decades and have gone through all those phases. I didn't realize it has a name. Sometimes, we are frustrated by a language barrier, but most of the time, I am actually content that I don't understand some people.
Thank you for this informative and educational post, Desiree. I enjoyed it a lot.
@Jerry Keszka - sometimes it is totally fine not to understand the conversations around you. It just becomes background music (noise). Thank you!
Wow a dose of realism yet totally inspirational. This formula is so true in work and life when we make change. Thanks for posting.
Thank you Desiree, great article! I been living abroad in South Korea for over two decades. Everything you wrote hit home! Thanks again!
Hi Desiree. I'm contemplating relocating out of the country and have been doing so for quite. along time. It was difficult narrowing down the right place. I knew I wanted a Spanish speaking country, mountains, access to the sea, and assorted climates to visit throughout the country. Colombia is my pick.
I'm 66 and my husband is 67. He travels for a living and I've lived in over 43 places in my lifetime.
I know it's going to be difficult, but for me, it's a lifelong dream of living in another part of the world and exploring a different way of life from what I've always known.
It's funny. I'm more prepared in reading about the worst parts of relocating than the joys, haha, I guess that's the way I roll, anyway nice article. Thank you.
Hi Patti, Thank you. It's good to know I could prepare you more for your move to Columbia (I am rooting for you). I have heard only good things about Columbia. I recently came across the quote from Jamie Lee Curtis: "If not now, when? If not me, who?" When I hear the first part, it gets me going. All the best🌹.
Thank you, Desiree, that quote gets me going too! And thank you for the best wishes.
Thanks for introducing me to the dip. I'm musing on how I can relate it to new experiences, or a not so new move.
Oo how interesting - a few African countries. I've only ever visited the continent.
Let's see UK, France, Italy, Japan, Australia, Cambodia, Singapore, Serbia and now Slovenia. How about you, Desire?
We have 2 countries in common😊- For me it’s been UK, Belgium, Germany, Russia, Japan, South Africa, Senegal, Nigeria, China, Vietnam, Angola.
Navigating any change involves losses as well as gains and downs as well as highs. As you say, getting stuck in the dip is what you want to avoid. Awareness of the process, facing issues and acknowledging feelings works best to keep moving forward. Having lived in 9 countries myself, I have been through what you describe several times.
Lisa- Wow! Well said. Acknowledging the feelings- yes! Knowing that it is a part of the process and will pass always helped. Which countries have you lived in?
Thank you for this. You articulate the experience so well, and in a way that really chimes with my first (and probably only!) time moving to live abroad. I moved to Portugal just over 2 years ago, with husband and dog, leaving family, friends and 57 years of life behind. That never all fits in an attic, however hard you might try to close the hatch! The first few months of bliss, followed by the bumps in the road, the doubts, finally to feeling a sense of ‘home’. It’s not easy. It’s also not a fixed place. I fully expect to descend into another trough at some point. But it certainly keeps life interesting 😊 I am in awe you’ve done this so many times!
Hi Michelle,Thank you. It never quite fits into the attic - you are right. That's probably why I have so few things. I was always a minimalists, but I am even more so now as I always have to downsize and throw stuff out before a move. Here's to fewer dips in Portugal and when they come may you handle them with grace!🌹
Thank you - I hope so too! And you're right about the stuff. It's amazing how little of it you really want to hang on to when push comes to shove...it's like shedding a very tattered skin!
Hi Desiree. I also took the leap of moving internationally on my own over 50. I've experienced much the same feeling of swinging from excitement to fear. But regardless the adventure is amazing. Thank you for sharing you story.
@Chet Bailey, I'm happy to hear that I'm not the only one who experiences the dip. In the end, it's so worth it because you learn so much more about who you really are. Thank you.