Relocation and living abroad can be your life’s biggest, most exciting adventure. Part of being an expat woman is taking the difficult task of living abroad (homesickness, loneliness, feeling lost, and dealing with struggles in a new country, for instance) and learning how to overcome them so you can enjoy your big adventure to the fullest.
To do that, expats can leverage their mindset to create an internal oasis that will help them overcome struggles and find fulfillment so they can thrive. One of the important ways we do that in mindset coaching for expats is by modifying our internal storytelling, so it serves our purpose and creates the life we want.
How the Stories in Our Minds Shape Reality
Our minds love a good story. It’s how we go about making sense of the world around us. All day long, we’re telling ourselves stories. “Today, I walked to the bakery on the corner, got my coffee, and then walked to work.” If our stories are simple and empowering, they can be great. You are what you think, therefore if you think of a good story, you have a good day. [1]
However, if our stories become lost in negative thoughts, we can begin to feel lonely, empty, lost, and homesick. Even a single thought reaction is enough to create a permanent belief. [2] For instance, “Today I walked to the bakery on the corner alone and got coffee, which I used to do with Julie, but can’t anymore because I’m living abroad.” Just like that, you’ve made yourself homesick with a poorly told story. Drawing inaccurate conclusions about who you are and your place in the world limits your potential. [3]
What if you told a better story? “Today, I walked to the bakery on the corner in the beautiful sunshine with the amazing culture around me. I got a coffee I could never get at home and walked to my amazing job where I’m learning cool things and having opportunities unavailable to me in my old country.”
Just like that, the story gives you happiness, purpose, direction, and clarity. You’ve made a better day, all by telling a better story.
Mindset Coaching for Living Abroad as an Expat
Learning how to talk to yourself in a way that creates the reality you want can give you clarity and direction. Not only can this alleviate the loneliness, empty feelings, and struggles of living abroad as an expat woman, but it can help shape your destiny. In my expat mindset coaching practice, we earn how to use the stories we tell ourselves for good. For more information, check out my website.
[1] https://www.omaritani.com/blog/what-you-think
