Leaving Your Comfort Zone After Moving Abroad: Four Tips
Moving abroad… That’s the ultimate test for leaving your comfort zone.
You’re in a new country. Maybe you have made the move alone and have no one to depend on. Perhaps you have followed a career opportunity and find yourself struggling with the language. Or you might have been researching the most affordable countries to live in and just decided to jump at the chance.
No matter the reason, there will be difficulties. And just because this move is a big one – and you’ve already proven you can leave your comfort zone – doesn’t mean you should isolate yourself or revert back to comfortable and familiar habits. That’s just a fast way to miss out on what your new area has to offer.
So, you know you should keep leaving your comfort zone. But how do you do that? Well, you’re in luck! This post outlines four key tips to help you do just that.
Keep reading on to learn more.
1. Break Your Micro-Routines
Everyone has their own routine. Even when they don’t realize it, they actually do the same things every single day. You might take the same route to work. You might order the same coffee at the same café every afternoon. These are habits you don’t even know you are sticking to – and you should change them.
Breaking away from these micro-routines opens up doors. You begin to look up more and take notice of other options. Maybe you never noticed a path through a local park leads to your office building. Maybe you missed a new restaurant opening just down the street from your home. Maybe you were oblivious to a neighbor waving to you each morning.
Whatever you have missed by following the same day-to-day routine, you will have the chance to experience more. By breaking away from your habits, you’ll be able to taste new foods, speak to new people, and try new activities and experiences.
2. Practice Being a Beginner
In a new country, there will be unfamiliar activities and languages. Even if you have prepared for your move and learned the native tongue, the conversationalist language could throw you off. This is actually the perfect way to leave your comfort zone.
Many people want to be perfect. They do not want to make mistakes or embarrass themselves. However, this is part of learning. This is part of being a beginner. And in a new country, you are just that – a beginner. So, why not make the most of it to shed the fear of embarrassment?
Making mistakes doesn’t have to be scary. Instead, they can be funny. For example, you could say, “Je suis plein,” after eating a lovely meal, believing it to mean “I’m full.” This error could get a laugh, as most people in France interpret this phrase to mean “I’m pregnant.”
Even if you speak the language perfectly, there are other ways to practice being a beginner without making intentional errors. Learning a new skill is a great option. Whether you want to try surfing after moving to Portugal or pottery in Japan, you will be beginning from scratch. And likely learning from an expert!
3. Initiate Conversations
It sounds simple, doesn’t it? Initiating conversations? After all, in a new country, you might have no one from home. You might have moved abroad by yourself, beginning afresh completely. This should be an exciting time, but lots of people get caught up in the uncertainty of this.
You don’t have to be nervous. Sure, people say making friends as an adult is tough, but that’s not the aim here. The aim is simply to have a conversation with someone new. This will definitely get you out of your comfort zone.
A good way to do this is by going out a walk. You could begin by saying “hello” or “good morning/afternoon” to anyone you pass by. Of course, be sure to use the country’s preferred language when doing so. After this, you might go a step further by asking for a recommendation when ordering a drink or purchasing a book.
These are easy ways to begin speaking with strangers. Soon, you’ll feel more comfortable and confident. Having conversations with new people will feel a lot easier.
4. Handle Tough Logistics Early
While this might be the most boring tip in this post, it is vital. No one wants to move abroad only to find their furniture delivery has been delayed or they have no mobile plan. Instead, you should handle the logistical tasks right away. Not only will this ensure you know where things are, but you’ll also be less stressed.
The priority tasks are simple:
- Unpack only what you will use in the first few days.
- Keep vital documents with you.
- Purchase cheap essentials if necessary.
Afterwards, you can begin setting up local systems. You’ll want a working local phone number, for one. Then you’ll need to register for local utilities, internet, and healthcare. And you could even map out the nearby supermarkets, pharmacies, and public transit stops.
To conclude, leaving your comfort zone is just part of moving abroad. You shouldn’t allow yourself to fall into the same routine day in and day out, though. This could limit your opportunities. Instead, make an effort to try new things and speak with new people.
Doing so will ensure your experience is fulfilling.
