Moving Overseas – Attitude And Mindset

Have you thought about what your life will be like if/when you move overseas?

Like Alice in Wonderland, your perception of life will become distorted as you adapt to your new reality. Your days will be unpredictable and packed full of possibilities. At times it will be bizarre. Your worldview will alter as you see things from a different perspective.

What is your life like now?

You have possessions. You have established routines and rituals that take much of the guesswork out of living. You are aware of your rights and responsibilities. And you make many decisions without much thought because you’ve done most things before. You have love and support from your friends, family and the community.

You must recreate these things when you move to the UK or any other country. For the most part, you will be starting over.

Positive Mindset & Attitude

The How to move to the UK in 9 months or less series is about the ‘what’ and ‘how’ to do it, with checklists and links galore. This article is different. It is about you and your happiness. It is as important, if not more so, than the other articles.

Your well-being depends on how you manage your thoughts, feelings and relationships. The places and spaces around you also play a big part in your happiness.

You are about to put yourself through an ordeal. A positive mindset (thoughts, opinions, beliefs) and attitude (behaviour) will help you survive.

• Be realistic. It will be challenging. You will live outside of your comfort zone. You won’t be able to plan for every eventuality. You may wish you had more money, friends, and things. Live within your means but continue to manifest your ideal lifestyle. Know when you need a time-out.

• Be grateful. Appreciate the moment. Appreciate the cultural and environmental diversity around you. Be thankful for both positive and difficult experiences. Be happy.

• Be creative. Think of all the different ways you can achieve the same outcome. Re-order your priorities. What would others do? Know yourself, how you think and what you do best.

• Be open-minded and flexible. Talk to strangers, work colleagues and friends of friends. Chance meetings may lead to new opportunities. Create a wonderful life.

• Embrace change. Learn something new every day. Do things differently. Because you have to and because you can. Live your life like a movie.

• Be brave. Express your thoughts and feelings. Acknowledge your vulnerabilities. Ask for help. Focus on what you can control. If you can’t control something, do not stress about it. If you can remove yourself from the situation, do it! Be like a bear.
• Have fun. Live like a tourist. Explore. Travel. Experience life like a local. Seek adventure. Be aware of what events are on and coming up later in the year. Book your tickets and mark your calendar. Get involved with your community. Volunteer. Support others. Find love. Make love.

Do you have what it takes?

In your mind, do you believe that you have the knowledge and resources to make your move a success?

• This article series will help you prepare for your move and settlement.
• If you have any questions, send me an email. If I can’t answer it, I will point you in the right direction.

Do you have the desire and expectation that your move will succeed in your heart?

• Hold on to that feeling!
• Your positive mindset and attitude may be the only thing holding you together at times.
• Remember your reasons for relocating. Focus on the rewards at the end of your journey and the enrichment of your life.
• It doesn’t matter if you change your mind about moving overseas. Or if you change your mind about how long you stay. What matters is that you live the life of your dreams.

Why do you want to move overseas?

Unless you’re a refugee seeking asylum, the choice to move overseas is yours to make. You don’t have to do it.

• You may be accompanying your partner because they have chosen to move. You still need to be comfortable in your heart and mind with the move.
• Are you taking your family? Remember, they need to share your enthusiasm or understand your reasons.
• We had our own issues with our two teenage sons and our friends and family when we were leaving Australia. I’m happy to discuss these in the comments or via email.

We sold everything and moved sight unseen to the other side of the world.
We had visited the US and Asia for 1-2 weeks but never travelled to Europe. Many people thought we were insane.

If you have been thinking about moving overseas for years, I don’t think you need to decide if you should go or not. Just go. Live without regrets.

Somone

Understand your motivations

Your decision to move overseas is like every other big decision you need to make. Like when you choose a life partner or change jobs, you need to ask yourself some important questions.

Decision-making is a very personal thing. Everyone has their own style, and there is no right or wrong way of doing it. Some people believe in fate. Others believe in destiny. I believe in both, with an added touch of luck.

You may wish to consider your answers to at least the following questions (if you haven’t already):

Why do you want to move overseas?

• Do you understand your motivations?
• Have you always wanted to move overseas, or is it a new thought?
• What triggered your thoughts?
• What do you expect will happen to your life by moving overseas?
• Is this your decision, or is somebody else influencing your decision?
• Are you escaping from ordinary life or a challenging situation?
• Would you stay where you are if your circumstances were different or better?
• Are you ready to deal with the stress of re-establishing your life?
• Will you be able to live with yourself, without regrets, if you don’t go?
• How long do you want to live overseas? A few years or a lot of years? Retire there?

What are your other options?

• Will you be satisfied with having a holiday? Or do you need to live overseas?
• Can you stay where you are and change some other aspects of your life?
• What needs to change for you to stay put and not drastically change your life?
• Have you tried everything reasonable to improve your situation?
• Are you ready to deal with the stress of re-establishing your life?
• Where else do you want to live?
• Can you move elsewhere in your home country? Elsewhere in the world? Can you get a visa or residency in another country?

When will you do it?

• Is it convenient to go now, or should you wait until after an important event? Remember your friends and family.
• Do you have more important responsibilities than your desire to move overseas? If so, do they have to be your responsibility, or can somebody else assist while you live your dream?
• What are the visa requirements? Do you have to apply, fly and settle within a certain period? For example, the UK Ancestry Visa requires you to settle before any dependents turn 18 years old.

Who is going to provide you with support or be with you on this journey?

• Are you going alone or with others?
• Does somebody else you know want to join you?
• Have you reminded your friends and family that the internet will help you stay connected 24/7? Voice and video calls, photos and videos are free via Wi-Fi and mobile phone apps like WhatsApp.

Take care of you

Once you’ve decided to move overseas, you will start to plan and prepare for the relocation.

You will consider your possessions, your finances and the logistics of the move. You will also decide how and when to tell the people you will leave behind. There is a lot to do.

But remember. What is most important and often overlooked is how you think and feel – before you leave and after you arrive.

Maintain a positive attitude and mindset, and you will succeed.

Next steps

Before you continue reading …

What to do BEFORE YOU LEAVE – including the 24 hours before you arrive in the UK

… please share your thoughts in the comments below.

• I’d love to know your feelings and thoughts before leaving your home country.
• Have you already made a move? What went well, and what would you do differently?