EMBRACING CHANGE AND FINDING CALM WHEN MOVING COUNTRIES
Having recently moved countries for the 7th time in the last 20 years, I know a thing or two about change and transition. The most valuable lesson from my most recent relocation to the UK was embracing a positive and flexible mindset especially when it involves children. It sets the foundation for a stress-free relocation experience, creating a more exciting adventure instead.
So if you’re considering or about to embark on an overseas move, please stick around as I’m going to share some of my top mindset tips to help with a smoother and more confident move.
Our final few days in SingaporeTHE CHALLENGES OF RELOCATION WHEN MOVING COUNTRIES
Moving to a different country can be both exciting and challenging in equal measure. As I prepare myself for a massive transition of moving countries in July, I wanted to share what I do to ensure a smoother, more positive move for my entire family.
There are some key mindset shifts and “soft” rules I like to live by to ensure a smooth and successful transition each time. Ultimately, I believe that life is all about learning and adventure. If you start with this in mind, you’re already on the road to cultivating the right mindset and readiness for any big transition in life.
By encouraging open communication, expressing enthusiasm about the opportunities that await and addressing concerns with empathy, families can alleviate anxieties and embrace the exciting possibilities that moving abroad brings.
Involving children in decision-making and new experiences helps foster curiosity and optimism.
Prioritising emotional well-being and stress management ensures a smooth transition to a new overseas home. In this blog post, I’m going tackle the nitty gritty of surviving a move abroad, and the importance of having support for yourself and your family.
POSITIVITY AND FLEXIBILITY ARE KEY!
Having lived in Australia, the UK (once before in the early 2000’s), France, Slovenia, Hong Kong & Singapore, I love collecting passport stamps like badges of honour! I’m no stranger to change and transition, and if anything I welcome it. I like to embrace new adventures and see all the wonderful things that can result from change.
Working as a coach, I understand the complexities that come with uprooting your life to start afresh in a new place. In any situation, my focus is always approaching any uncertain situation with:
Curiosity
Open-mindedness
Positivity
As a “half-glass full” type of person with a husband who doesn’t embrace change as much as I do, two beautiful yet very active boys (one who has higher needs), and a business thrown in, the process of moving becomes even more demanding!
Here are some of the challenges one may face with moving countries:
Adjusting to a new culture and way of life can be a significant challenge, requiring openness, flexibility, and a willingness to learn.
Building a social network in a different country takes time and effort to establish new support systems and create meaningful relationships.
Language barriers can pose communication hurdles, requiring language learning or finding ways to navigate daily life without fluency.
Managing logistical aspects, such as finding housing, understanding local transportation, and dealing with legal processes, can be overwhelming in a foreign country.
Adapting to new schools and educational systems requires careful planning and support to ensure a smooth transition for children's education.
The emotional well-being of children is crucial, as they may experience homesickness, separation anxiety, or difficulty making new friends.
Cultural adjustments for children, including food, social customs, and school routines, require guidance to navigate and develop an open-minded attitude.
Relocating to a different country is a significant life transition and can be really stressful. However it doesn’t have to be, and you don't have to face the challenges of moving abroad alone. Seeking support and guidance can make a world of difference in helping you embrace this new chapter of your life with confidence and clarity.
YOUR MINDSET AND EMOTIONAL PREPARATION ARE KEY
As a coach, I know firsthand the power of mindset in any transition, especially when it comes to moving abroad. Cultivating a positive mindset and preparing yourself emotionally are key to navigating the unique aspects and considerations that come with moving to a different country.
There are strategies you can use to cultivate the right mindset and emotional readiness for moving abroad:
Embrace curiosity and open-mindedness: Instead of feeling overwhelmed, invite curiosity to take the lead. It’s a great opportunity to learn about new cultures and experience a different way of life.
View the move as an adventure: Reframe the experience as an exciting adventure, focusing on the positive aspects of exploration and personal growth.
Practice self-compassion: It’s inevitable emotions will whirlwind through you - excitement, anxiousness, overwhelm, nostalgia - you name it, so go along for the ride. Wrap yourself up in a warm blanket of self-compassion and treat yourself with more patience, kindness and understanding.
Seek support through coaching: Sometimes a guiding hand makes all the difference. Consider a professional coach to manage stress, build resilience, and maintain a positive mindset.
Create your tribe: Building a new life in a new land? Reach out to local communities, fellow expats, and social clubs. These connections become your life jacket in the sea of change.
Embrace the growth mindset: Brace yourself for challenges – they're your stepping stones. With a growth mindset, you're not just conquering obstacles; you're building muscles of resilience that flex with every win.
Your mindset is a powerful tool that can shape your entire relocation journey so you can navigate the unique aspects and considerations of moving abroad with greater ease and resilience.
TIPS FOR MOVING COUNTRIES WITH CHILDREN
When it comes to making big moves as a family, my heart is firmly set on family first. With my husband and two boys in tow, their well-being and level of comfort with the move take centre stage.
Navigating an overseas move as a family can be stressful for everyone. As we all know, transitions can be tough for adults, but they can seem downright daunting for kids if not approached thoughtfully.
Although I've walked this path many times before, I’ve never done it with a family before, so let me share my top seven tips for orchestrating an overseas move with kids that spells stress-free or, at the very least, stress-reduced adventure.
8 TOP TIPS FOR A MORE STRESS-FREE MOVE OVERSEAS WITH KIDS
Start with Positivity: Before you even start packing boxes, ensure you pack your mindset with positivity! The energy you bring will ripple through the family, setting the tone for an easier transition. I carved out some time to work on myself to stay grounded, composed and focused on my children’s needs. This included more time to journal, dedicated moments to myself, deep breathing (a lot of deep breathing!) and writing in my gratitude journal.
Approach the move as an exciting new adventure. Even though my boys are not strangers to England, they had never lived there permanently before, so we spent more time talking about what daily life would look like and the exciting differences it would bring.
Embrace Change and Foster Resilience: Help your children understand that change is a natural part of life and encourage them to embrace the opportunities that come with relocation, fostering their resilience and adaptability. Although challenging at times, we tried our best not to show any anxiety or frustration in front of our kids. We were luck as my husband grew up in the area we’re moving to, so he was able to share stories of the times he lived there, and I threw in stories about my own overseas adventures, and empathised with any nervousness they may have felt. Kids love a good story, especially about times when parents are growing up, so be the best storyteller you can be!
Prioritise Emotional Well-being: Make your children's emotional well-being a top priority by providing reassurance and creating a safe space to express their emotions. Parents can play a significant role in guiding their children's perspectives by maintaining an optimistic outlook and validating concerns. Your optimism and empathy act as guiding stars.
Plan for an Easy Transition: Research the new location in advance to familiarise yourself with local amenities, schools, and activities for children. This preparation helps ease the adjustment period and ensures a more seamless transition for the entire family. We showed our kids photos of the local parks and their new schools and spoke about the area so they would familiarise themselves before we arrived.
Involve Children in the Preparation: Include your children in the moving process, and empower them by allowing them to participate in packing, decorating their new room, and researching the destination. This involvement helps give them a sense of ownership over the move.
Reassurance and Stability mode ON: Amidst the winds of change, provide an anchor of reassurance. Assure your children that they will have a stable and supportive environment in their new home and maintain consistent routines and rituals as much as possible. Create a comforting space, and emphasise checking in with your kids frequently so that they know you’re there to support them every step of the way
Compartmentalise Priorities: I get it, it can be overwhelming just thinking about all the things you need to do with an overseas move. It doesn’t have to be. My trick? List-making! I jot down every task, and then I digitally organize them by priority. Breaking it into smaller sections makes it feel like smooth sailing and less overwhelming
So there you have it, a voyage with your loved ones that's less about rough seas and more about exhilarating discoveries. Trust me, with the right mindset and strategy, you've got this ocean of opportunities in the palm of your hand.