Three Overcomable Issues of Living Abroad

Money, Friends, and Loneliness Are Manageable Challenges

Going global has many upsides and can be quite exciting. The ability to live, work and explore another country and culture was often a dream years ago, but it’s becoming more commonplace today.

However, there are challenges you might encounter when creating a globally mobile life and lifestyle for yourself or your family. I will acknowledge that some challenges may be similar while others will be different if you are a single and solo person versus a family unit.

Today, I am sharing my thoughts on these challenges — income, friendships, and loneliness. It is likely you’ll be managing these in varying capacities while living abroad. Let’s get straight to the point, starting with having financial stability.

Working

Having a source of finance for your journey abroad is a given. What sources may vary depending on how you decide to make your move abroad; it has many facets, from employment to entrepreneurship. Each path has its own planning, process, and challenges.

However, having a stable source of income to fuel your abroad life is an absolute must. Let’s take a moment to share three of the most common ways to have a source of income.

Employment

You acquired a position at a company or organization in a country of your choice. It is a great option, but it requires the intentional work of a job search. Plan and use your transferable skills, career experience, and expertise.

Business

Some expats and many digital nomads are entrepreneurs. Their incomes are generated from online businesses for products or services. Such revenue streams allow you to be highly mobile to travel at your leisure while still working. Generally, the critical part of such a business requires internet access. Work can be done on any device, such as a mobile, tablet, or laptop.

Remote Work

You work for a company or organization that provides the flexibility of working outside of their headquarters or branch office locations, which include those in another country. Like being an entrepreneur with an online business, this option relies on having a robust internet connection.

While you may have the flexibility to work elsewhere, you may be challenged if you are required to work in a specific timezone other than the one you live in at present.

A special note about working in other countries: It is my transparent duty to mention that any of the above options must be accompanied by the appropriate immigration visa.

Friendships

We have all seen the movies where an expat meets and instantly has lots of friends. Well, the reality of making new friends quickly and easily when you move abroad is far more challenging.

Digital nomad and expat communities are very transient. Being globally mobile often means the phrases “hello,” “goodbye,” and “let’s keep in touch,” are partially embedded into the vocabulary. In the back of your mind somewhere, you know that inevitably you, or those with whom you have built these relationships, will eventually say farewell.

It means that you have to be intentional about keeping the friends you meet along your journey, but also realize that some friends were just meant for the time that you lived in that location.

Physical Interactions

Enjoy your location and its interactions. Be present, and take the opportunity to spend time with people in laughter, shared interests, celebrations, and even farewells. Making and having friendships to help explore and uncover the beautiful gems of a location makes the location more enjoyable.

Virtual Connections

Technology, with its countless communication apps for calling, texting, voice notes, and video interactions, has made it easier to keep connected to your new friends even after they have moved on.

But while technology has given far greater access than we once had, it still requires human intentionality to keep the connection going. Create realistic expectations for both you and your friends of how often you communicate, share stories, and catch up.

Yes, it is okay to know that even some connections you made may fade with the passing of time and dwindling communication.

Be content knowing that your lost acquaintance served their purpose while you were connected, and it was time for both of you to be on separate journeys.

Loneliness

Loneliness and isolation can occur at any point in time during your expat life. Whether you are solo or you are with your family abroad, you can have these feelings. Many of these feelings are normal, given you may be away from parts of your core support from extended family and friends.

These feelings are also part of the cycle of cultural adjustment that you might experience. I encourage you to tackle these feelings upfront. Find ways to improve your mood. If the mood persists for a lengthy period of time, you might consider employing another coping strategy by seeking professional therapy.

Individual or group counseling can provide the guidance we need. Sometimes having an objective person to help you find the right coping plan can be your best coping tool.

Get Active

Break the routine of working, eating, and sleeping. Get your endorphins active. Yes, exercise! No, you do not have to go to the gym unless that is what you enjoy.

You can get the same benefits by walking, dancing, or doing yoga. You just need the natural stimulants in your body to be active and do their job of keeping you mentally and emotionally healthy.

Volunteer

Another good way to change your perspective is by giving back. Finding a one-time or ongoing opportunity in your local community or country to volunteer your skills and time can bring inner satisfaction.

Seeing the impact of a simple act of kindness or generosity can help change your mood. In the process, you could gain new friends, build trust, and foster human understanding.

Should your feelings of loneliness become overwhelming, I encourage you to seek help for your mental well-being. Connect with a counselor or therapist who can help you understand your global lifestyle. Yes, there are therapists who specialize in working within the globally mobile community.

Summing it all up…

Having a stable source of income, a connection with a community or tribe locally and knowing how to manage loneliness are all practical and real challenges of living abroad. But also know these are not unique to you; they are all part of a normal expat journey.

For each person who leaves their country for another, these three items rank differently in their scope for having an enjoyable life abroad. As a decade-plus expat traversing over seven countries, I can validate that income, friends, and loneliness have impacted me along the way.

However, they have not stopped my journey; instead, I have learned to manage them better with each move and year abroad. If I should venture a guess, you will learn to navigate and manage them too to fit your globally mobile life, should you embark on one.

So, let your journey begin, filled with the knowledge and understanding that you will fund your global life using your skills, talents, expertise, and experiences. You will meet, connect and treasure humanity in new ways through the people you encounter in your locations.

You will also find a sense of belonging that will minimize any loneliness you might experience and embrace healthy ways to cope when those feelings occur. From me to you, let your mind and mindset create the experience you seek while going global for a lifetime of lived experiences.

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