Struggling with second thoughts about moving abroad? If you were planning to move abroad in 2020, that move might still be on hold right now. With orders to stay put in your current country of residency, it’s hard to imagine going grocery shopping let alone moving during a pandemic overseas. You might start believing that the universe is telling you to not move at all – that these orders are all signs that moving abroad wasn’t meant to happen in the first place.
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But despite those second thoughts about moving that are so painstakingly hard to ignore, don’t give up hope.
I nearly gave up hope myself when the world felt like it was caving in on me during summer 2017. As the opportunity to move to England became a reality, my mother was diagnosed with cancer and hurricane Harvey hit Houston hard – to include our storage unit.
Flights were canceled everywhere for weeks. We had to repeat moving abroad steps a couple of times over again.
It sucked. I had sleepless nights. I was certain that every new challenge was a sign from the universe trying to tell me we weren’t meant to move.
Moving abroad scared was an understatement.
It was a mental struggle for weeks – before, during, and after the move. I not only had second thoughts about moving leading up to checking in for our flights but those anxious feelings ensued for weeks and even months (I’d say 3) thereafter.
I was worried about my mom. I was scarred by the hurricane. Everything hurt emotionally, physically, and financially. And with kids, it’s hard to keep yourself together so that they don’t crumble, too.
But because I’m on the other side of that move, I can tell you that I’m so glad we didn’t give up and give in despite the massive hurdles, delays, and obstacles that were thrown at us from every direction, every day – or so it felt.
Moving abroad alone is hard – but as a family – it’s a lot of work and comes with risk you take as a whole.
You have to want it and embrace it as an opportunity. And if obstacles are thrown your way making it that more difficult, like the pandemic is on all of humanity right now, it’s going to absolutely give you second thoughts. It would be odd if it didn’t.
You’ve worked so hard to get this far – from the decision to move, the logistics of moving, telling the family, getting the kids pumped, leaving your job potentially, saying goodbye to friends and family, and even mentally motivating yourself.
When suddenly all that momentum to move abroad goes away, it’s going to cause you to question if you’re making the right decision. It’ll feel weird because you’re in a messy middle situation. And if the prospect is still available to pick up where you are today – job still intact, health isn’t compromised, the house hasn’t been sold or rented, goods aren’t packed away – you might pivot and just hope that an opportunity to move abroad will present itself another time.
In the end, it’s entirely up to your circumstances, patience, and motivation to see it through.
Moving during the pandemic inevitably might be up to your employer, the government, yourself, or combination of all 3. But if the decision is yours once moving abroad becomes an option again and you’re nervous about what to do, let me inspire you with this.
Despite Second Thoughts About Moving Abroad…
1. Moving abroad brought our family closer together versus apart.
2. Living in another country has been the best exposure to create open-minded kids.
3. Despite leaving friends and neighbors we love, I’ve added tremendous new ones.
4. Experiences trump stuff. What used to seem important becomes more clear after a big move like this.
5. Living abroad has more highs than lows – from learning how to be a local in a new country to seeing new places never imagined.
6. Although it wasn’t obvious in the midst of trying to move, I know now that moving abroad was always meant to be.
7. Despite how hard it was to go from there to here, I’d do it again.
Becoming an expat gave me the opportunity to be there for my mom and my family during incredibly difficult times in ways I previously couldn’t – then and now. And even though my situation is likely different than yours, moving abroad could open new doors for you, too.
And here’s my little secret about moving abroad.
Moving during pandemic aside, you’ll likely hear from expats and those before you with travel advice that might be compounding your second thoughts about moving abroad:
Don’t use your vacation time for visits back to the USA. – anonymous expat talk
My pov? If you want to use your time off for return visits to the USA, then return to the USA.
Creating a life you love wherever you are is about making decisions that will make you happy – not what everyone else might want or tell you to do.
If moving during the pandemic isn’t the source of doubt but moving away from family is, make it a promise to yourself that you’ll return to visit. If you need to see your family and friends in the USA during a break, summer, half-term, or heck, a long weekend (I can attest it’s totally possible), then go back to the USA.
Don’t let distance be the factor on your decision to move.
With the use of technology, you learn that physical distance isn’t what will keep you apart. Relationships work themselves out in their own way.
If leaving parents behind is causing second thoughts, strong bonds will persevere. You can leverage whatever means possible to remain connected – virtually and physically. For myself personally, every holiday and extended time off was spent in America with my mom in 2019. She passed away in August 2019. No regrets.
Final Advice On Moving During The Pandemic
Right now is tough. Heck, having doubts about moving abroad is natural even without external factors.
If you weren’t wavering before, you’ll likely have second thoughts about moving abroad because of the current health and political environment. But do what will make you happy, that’s safe and within your control. It will require patience and faith, but in the end, it will be worth it.
Use this pause on moving abroad to not question if you’ll go but when you’ll go. Spend time on deferred moving tasks you didn’t think you’d ever have the time for. And most of all, don’t give up hope. ❤️
Looking for more expat resources? Try these.
- 11 Good Things About Living In The UK (And Why I Want To Stay)
- Living Abroad: How To Make Expat Life Easier
- Looking to move to the UK? Find all the expat steps, lists, and resources 👉🏻 MOVING ABROAD CHECKLIST
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