Moving Abroad

In 2016, I moved to Australia. Although I was intending to be there with a partner, on the day I arrived he informed me that “he didn’t actually want a girlfriend” (I know… it was beyond devastating at the time but we worked it out months later!). Regardless, I found myself completely alone in a foreign city – no job, no friends, just a one-bedroom apartment downtown. To say it was difficult would be a huge understatement; I was dealing with a devastating break up by myself, and had no where to be, ever. I would laugh when I would meet people and they’d ask “what are you doing on Friday night?” because the honest answer was “nothing – I have no plans for literally any moment beyond this one”. However, as I immersed myself in fitness classes and spent lots of time alone at cafes, I gradually began making more friends, and more plans, and it was the happiest time of my life. Four years later, I was devastated to have to leave!

What this post is intended to be about, though, is the profound impact that moving abroad can have on a person. Although I learned many things over those four years, the most important thing I took away from it was this: you are never stuck. You are the author of your own story, and if you find your character somewhere where you don’t want it to be, you have the power and the right to rewrite the story. There is a whole other life waiting for you somewhere else; you just have to take a breath, buy the ticket, and off you go! I can’t imagine how many lives could have been saved simply by hitting the “restart” button, especially to go somewhere so warm and picturesque a breeze alone is enough to make you smile. You are strong enough, you are brave enough, YOU are enough – you can make it on your own for a little while, and I promise you will come out even stronger. If you have any questions or hesitations about living abroad, PLEASE reach out; I am always here to listen.