When I was younger I always thought By the time I reached my 30s, I would be this successful woman who lives in her place in a different country or has her own house with her husband and kids and is financially stable. I remember during college; we had this activity from our class that required us to write a letter for ourselves that we would open after 15 years. We asked to write the things that we expect from ourselves after 15 years. It's like a time capsule. 15 years later, opened that letter. It's so funny how I thought I could be a creative director or a person who works on film and at the same time have a complete family of my own. In reality, everything is the opposite.
After I graduated from college, I was fortunate to get a spot on a huge television company in the Philippines. I started working at the age of 19 as an audio editor. I always wanted that kind of job which surprised me to get that easily. Imagine you’re a 19-year-old and you started working with adults, doing television shows that you used to watch when you were a kid, and seeing how proud your family about your first job. I thought I was living my dream.
11 years later, everything suddenly seems so dry. I started to feel tired and uninspired to do the job that I’d been doing for 11 years. There was a feeling of longing for something. I was in my comfort zone for 11 years and I was so afraid to leave that kind of life. As a single woman, I don’t have many obligations and can spend the money I earn on traveling. I had so much fun doing it but then one day, I suddenly felt there was still something missing. I saw a lot of co-workers before leaving that company one-by-one and I always thought, Why are they leaving?
I started to reevaluate myself to understand why am I unsatisfied with my life. I realized that ever since I was younger, I am very curious about living in a different country on my own. I always have dreamed of being a bold and independent woman. Living in a different country and leaving work that gives you comfort is a big risk. Before I decided to push myself to jump into a new path, I had a few things to consider and plot my plan.
Do I have any money?
Number 1 that I considered is having financial support not only for me but also for my family. I had to consider if I was capable of supporting myself financially and make sure that I could bear months with no job since I’d be moving to a new country or place with no connections at all. If my family is financially capable even though I don’t have a job to support them in times that they need my financial support. Those are the 2 things in terms of financial issues that I considered. Plan your finances that will last for 6 months or more, you don’t know what life can bring you when you’re in a different country.
Am I Mentally ready?
When you’re jumping into something new that you always dreamt of, your emotions are so high that you think everything will be in control and you plant this thought in your head that “it's not easy to live abroad”. I always thought if I keep that in mind, I’ll be mentally sane. NO. it's different when you are doing it, the sadness of missing home, family, friends, and events that you missed hits differently. You will never prepare for this mentally. That’s why it's important to find a hobby. Personally, when I’m having this moment, I always think, I moved to a different country because I am not happy anymore in my comfort zone, I knew I needed that kind of sadness to grow as an adult. The best thing you can do is prepare a hobby that you can do if you feel sad or homesick, that’s what I do. When I know I am not mentally well, I’ll work out just to get back on track. If you know how to take care of yourself, even if you are at the lowest point of your life, you will know how to pick up yourself and get back in the game.
Reality is far from your imagination.
Moving to a different place is very exciting at first because you are creating a new world inside your head and that hype the feeling of excitement that you may forget the reality that you will face. It's important to know the place that you’re moving to, the culture, and work opportunities. It's important to plan ahead of time and be educated about the place that you’re planning to go.
Goals list.
First, before you choose a place, make sure to clear your goal. What is your goal when you move to a different place? Make a list of things you want to achieve when you move to a different place. I prefer to have multiple goals and make a list of things you want to happen during the time that you are an expat. Make plans A, B, C, or even D, you have to keep in mind that not everything you plan will work right away, it is better to have many options to avoid disappointments or losing hope. Make sure to yourself what is main goal so you can provide a list of plans on how to achieve it.
It's not easy to move abroad so decide when you are ready. You have to consider everything but when you feel that you’re not happy anymore, always think that maybe it's time to take a step and prioritize yourself to be happy. Moving abroad is a big step to do and leaving everything behind you is the bravest thing you can do. For readers who are still confused and curious about moving abroad, reevaluate yourself and consider things that you will sacrifice when you take this big step. At the end of the day, it's important to choose peace for yourself.
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