If you’ve just moved abroad alone or thinking about doing so, we all applaud you. Relocating isn’t always the easiest thing. Especially when you’re moving abroad in your 20s and doing it alone. But this article isn’t meant to scare you! We’re going to cover a few ways you can use this time to work on yourself. And no, you don’t have to be a mess to do this. Also, your 20s are bound to be adventurous. In both good and bad ways. Add being an expat on top of that ad, and it’s a different ballgame. So why not make the most of time creating wonderful memories and also acquiring a shit ton of knowledge.
This article covers working on yourself as the major way of coping after moving abroad in your 20s.
Working on yourself as a way of coping with moving abroad alone
What does working on yourself mean?
Becoming self-aware and taking action to improve yourself.
The biggest project we’ll ever have to work on is probably ourselves. It’s a life-long journey that doesn’t just end. Well, at least not until the final lights go off. A bit dramatic, no? Ye. But that’s how working on yourself is.
As we’ve probably all discovered, neither one of us is perfect.
Not you, nor I, nor anybody else. So, we all have something to work on. Admittedly, always looking out for what you need to improve can be draining. Especially when you’re trying to cope with moving abroad and handling a lot of things alone. So, instead of looking at the concept negatively, it could be helpful to approach it with curiosity. An interest to know yourself on a deeper level, to your explore your inner world and how much that affects your view of the world and the events we call life.
That ought to make this long journey pleasing.
Do I need to work on myself?
Yes, honey, you do. We all do!
Why should I work on myself?
Working on yourself improves your overall well-being. With that in mind, it’s something worth doing and also a great way to cope with moving abroad. If you were bad at doing something before you left home, moving abroad doesn’t automatically better. So, if the habit stays the same, it may dampen your experience abroad. However, working on whatever could be improved creates a better space for wonderful experiences. FYI, this is true regardless of whether you move abroad or stay home.
In a way, as long as we’re alive, we’re on a journey with ourselves; it’s only a question of whether we’re experiencing it consciously.
Reasons to work on yourself after moving abroad in your 20s
To know yourself
There are so many things going on at any given moment. And moving abroad in your 20s opens up a whole new pool! Life’s changing all around us. We’re learning a new way of life and exposed to so many new things. It can be the city, culture, food, and so on. While that’s great, it’s not always easy, and it can be overwhelming.
Speaking on new things, some will have you questioning things you’ve always known. You might even be experiencing judgment for being who you are. In other cases, you can be the judgemental one. Learning to know yourself after moving abroad in your 20s helps you get perspective on where to direct your energy. Let’s say the place you’ve moved to is known for its active nightlife. That may not be your thing. Which is absolutely fine. Knowing yourself makes it easier to be unbothered in situations where others may judge you for having different preferences.
Getting to know yourself after you’ve moved abroad alone can be fun. It’s like a reintroduction to who you are. The closest relation you’ll ever have is the one with yourself. Why not get to know who that person is outside everyone and everything else?
Something that can help you know yourself if you don’t know where to start:
A daily journal.
Write:
Whatever comes to your mind!
- Lists of things you enjoy or don’t enjoy.
- Your strengths
- Your weakness
- Moments of happiness
- Interesting experiences.
To find out what you want
In life, in love, in career.
This will likely come as a product of the above point. Once you have a clearer idea of who you are, you’ll then know what YOU really want. That’s another beauty of moving abroad in your 20s alone. It gives you a chance to figure that out without the voices of others. Oftentimes, we get distracted by what other people think or what they want. While it’s good to get people’s insight and advice, their words don’t have to dictate your life.
Working on yourself can help you figure out where your words stop and where other people’s thoughts and judgments start.
Something that can help:
- Ask yourself what you think before you get the opinion of others.
To improve your relationships
I don’t just mean romantic. This goes for platonic relationships, too. We can’t go without relationships—even if we wanted to. They’re all around us! Some of the challenges we may be facing, privately or publicly, can affect how we relate with others.
Working on yourself can have a lot of positive impacts on this part of your life. However, it’s not always easy. Especially when you’ve moved away from home and are exposed to people from different cultures. It’s challenging but definitely worth doing.
How? Practicing better communication and being more compassionate and respectful of boundaries are good ways to start.
Also, forming new relationships can help ease the feelings of homesickness.
Remember to extend some of this compassion to yourself, too. Take baby steps if you have to. I’d say slow and sturdy wins the race, but working on yourself isn’t even a race.
To improve your experience living abroad
Working on yourself can mean different things to different people. So many factors, like who you are or where you are in life, may have an impact on what you need to work on. So whether you working on yourself to improve your health, look more toned, dress better, or have more energy, all these things will make you feel better. (And that’s how you want to feel! You didn’t move abroad in your 20s for nothing. ) That’s also why it’s a never-ending journey because all our experiences weigh in.
Working on yourself can help you feel healthier, happier, and stronger. On the inside and out. We’re here and breathing, so we might as well enjoy this. Every single day. When you know who you are, you fill yourself up with things you love and have a better view of life; you’re going to get back better experiences.
Sometimes, doing what we know isn’t always easy, and it’s okay not to always do your best. That’s why working on yourself is a journey.
Other things to help you cope with leaving home for the first time:
- Play tourist. Go out and discover the city you’re in.
- Avoid comparing yourself to others
- Do things you enjoy
- Go easy on yourself
I hope you found this article helpful. Feel free to share your experiences on moving abroad in your 20s. in the comment section below.
Also, stay connected through social media for some real-time interaction!
XOXO,
Undoubtedlyhazy
