Fighting to stay and fighting to go

Moving countries is a funny thing - and quite often it starts with tears and ends with tears.

Humans are strange creatures, we fight to hold on whilst at the same time fighting to let go. We want to stay in one place and yet we wish to explore a million new lands, we yearn for our creature comforts and long for the unknown and strange.

When moving to a new country it may often not be a destination one would have chosen given a choice...but somehow - adversity breeds adaptability, and before you know it - that strange new place is 'home'.
 A language that once sounded strange is now one you speak with enthusiasm (albeit with an awful accent), those cultural oddities that annoyed you previously have now become endearing, and some of those foods you refused to try at first - are now part of your staple diet. You learn to live without things that you once considered vital and you adapt to cooking new dishes with different ingredients.

Along with the little achievements, and personal growth however, often comes incredible feelings of anxiety, sadness and sometimes, anger. Friends will be lost, family will be far spread, pets will not always accompany, sentimental items broken that cannot be replaced....it is inevitable and gut wrenching....it will ease with time, but with every move the feelings will resurface.

Fitting into new social circles takes time and living 'between two or more worlds' can be both exhausting and confusing. There are moments of excitement and moments of doubt, appreciation of the new people you meet and loneliness from being so far flung from many one holds close to the heart. These times will challenge you and they will grow you in ways you never knew possible. They will draw you closer to some people, and distance you from others.

Moving abroad has the potential to make or break a person - it can be an incredible adventure or a living hell. Whilst there is some truth to this being dependent on where one moves to - I think a lot is to be said of ones attitude in a new country. To start an entirely new life is a magical gift that often comes with a heavy price - so make the gift count.

Don't go on to try replicate your exact life somewhere else - whilst the 'typical expat life' is portrayed as rather glamorous - I guarantee you the adventure and surprise of your life if you put a little of that energy into 'going local'....There is wisdom, kindness and generosity to be found in some of the dustiest corners of our earth, if we are only prepared to step out of our comfort zone and try the unknown.