These numbers are eye popping! I knew moving abroad had become a hotter topic lately, but had no idea it was at this level.
I love your question number 5. When I was deciding my last move I was so stuck on number 4, coming up with contingency plans B,C,D… and thinking of everything that could possibly go wrong. Then a friend said “but what if things go even better than you planned?” and it was genuinely the first time I had ever thought of that.
It's my favourite question too, Alex! Like, why do we have to set ourselves up for the worst case scenario all the time? It's good to be prepared, but it's also awesome to be prepared for things to go so spectacularly right!
I just wrote about this last week because clearly it’s a hot topic. But I think it goes much deeper than who you become if you stay versus who you become if you leave. The real question is whether you’re prepared for the version of yourself waiting on the other side of the move.
A lot of people psych themselves up for moving abroad. They romanticize it. Glorify it. Build an entire fantasy around fresh markets, slower mornings, beautiful architecture, and escaping the chaos. And honestly? A lot of that part is true.
But what people prepare for far less deeply is who they become once the novelty wears off and real life settles in.
Especially if you’re retiring abroad.
Are you prepared for doing “nothing” to suddenly become your full-time something?
Are you prepared to lose the identity your career gave you?
Are you prepared to be unknown again? To not feel important? To not automatically understand how things work? To not constantly be stimulated by the hustle you spent decades complaining about?
The list goes on and on.
Living abroad sounds trendy. And for me, it’s been wonderful. I love my life in France. But if I’m being honest, it’s not France that changed me most. It’s my personality that changed here.
I would have become a very different person had I stayed in the United States. Both versions of me probably survive. But one path is unquestionably easier.
Definitely, Rich! It can be a huge challenge to confront who you are without your home comforts and safety net -- and often the very act of not having those can shape who you are/become! It's without a question done that to me.
It's really all about, are you prepared to confront the authentic version of yourself, without all the bells and whistles? If so, go for it. If not.... might be more of a challenge than you're expecting.
What stood out to me was the idea that leaving doesn't just change where you live, it changes the scale of your life. Even when people return home, they often come back carrying experiences that no longer fit inside their old assumptions.
You’re right. A new location will not simply solve all our problems: Wherever we go, there we are. At the same time, I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve heard expats say: “why didn’t I do this sooner?” I guess it’s about self-awareness and managing expectations
I have an answer to this question: "What if you hate it?" My grown son asked me that when I told him 30 years ago, at age 51, I was ending my successful career, selling my house, and moving to Mexico. My answer: "It's not the last decision I get to make." I'm still here 30 years later. Blue💙
These numbers are eye popping! I knew moving abroad had become a hotter topic lately, but had no idea it was at this level.
I love your question number 5. When I was deciding my last move I was so stuck on number 4, coming up with contingency plans B,C,D… and thinking of everything that could possibly go wrong. Then a friend said “but what if things go even better than you planned?” and it was genuinely the first time I had ever thought of that.
It's my favourite question too, Alex! Like, why do we have to set ourselves up for the worst case scenario all the time? It's good to be prepared, but it's also awesome to be prepared for things to go so spectacularly right!
I just wrote about this last week because clearly it’s a hot topic. But I think it goes much deeper than who you become if you stay versus who you become if you leave. The real question is whether you’re prepared for the version of yourself waiting on the other side of the move.
A lot of people psych themselves up for moving abroad. They romanticize it. Glorify it. Build an entire fantasy around fresh markets, slower mornings, beautiful architecture, and escaping the chaos. And honestly? A lot of that part is true.
But what people prepare for far less deeply is who they become once the novelty wears off and real life settles in.
Especially if you’re retiring abroad.
Are you prepared for doing “nothing” to suddenly become your full-time something?
Are you prepared to lose the identity your career gave you?
Are you prepared to be unknown again? To not feel important? To not automatically understand how things work? To not constantly be stimulated by the hustle you spent decades complaining about?
The list goes on and on.
Living abroad sounds trendy. And for me, it’s been wonderful. I love my life in France. But if I’m being honest, it’s not France that changed me most. It’s my personality that changed here.
I would have become a very different person had I stayed in the United States. Both versions of me probably survive. But one path is unquestionably easier.
And it’s not the moving abroad one.
Definitely, Rich! It can be a huge challenge to confront who you are without your home comforts and safety net -- and often the very act of not having those can shape who you are/become! It's without a question done that to me.
It's really all about, are you prepared to confront the authentic version of yourself, without all the bells and whistles? If so, go for it. If not.... might be more of a challenge than you're expecting.
And it seems like they’re all moving to Spain…
What stood out to me was the idea that leaving doesn't just change where you live, it changes the scale of your life. Even when people return home, they often come back carrying experiences that no longer fit inside their old assumptions.
“What if it all goes right?” My favorite question of all time!!!
You’re right. A new location will not simply solve all our problems: Wherever we go, there we are. At the same time, I’ve lost count of the amount of times I’ve heard expats say: “why didn’t I do this sooner?” I guess it’s about self-awareness and managing expectations
I have an answer to this question: "What if you hate it?" My grown son asked me that when I told him 30 years ago, at age 51, I was ending my successful career, selling my house, and moving to Mexico. My answer: "It's not the last decision I get to make." I'm still here 30 years later. Blue💙