International Relocation: Not So Fast, I Think You’re Forgetting Something

Posted on 08. Jun, 2009 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life, Relocation, Tools & Resources
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There’s nothing like a cautionary tale to start the week. What I am going to talk about today is something I am really, really bad at. That thing is getting closure before moving.

A.k.a. taking the time to get together with people with whom you have unfinished business, to clear things up. Forgiving and seeking forgiveness. That sort of thing.

That is, for me at least, the hardest part of leaving well.

It is not that it’s hard because it’s difficult to do well – it’s hard because it’s unpleasant, intimidating and it requires us to face raw or embarrassing memories that we’d rather forget.

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International Relocation: Saying Goodbye

Posted on 05. Jun, 2009 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life, Relocation
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Remember the day when you became an expat? The day it became very, very real? For example, the day your visa arrived in the mail, or the day the HR department told you everything was lined up and you would be leaving on August 1st?

What went through your mind then? I bet that after the initial “Ohmygoshohmygosh it’s real, we’re really leaving”, you immediately started making plans to say goodbye to everyone you loved.

You instinctively knew that saying goodbye is a crucial part of leaving well.

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International Relocation: The Art Of Leaving Well

Posted on 03. Jun, 2009 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Expat Life, Musings & Inspiration, Relocation, Tools & Resources
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Leaving is easy. Pack, ship, board your flight – voila. You’re gone. It may be a lot of work, it may not be fun, but anybody can do it.

Leaving well, on the other hand, is a bit of an art. Unfortunately, it is not taught anywhere (note to self: write an e-book on “The Art of Leaving Well”). When the time comes to say goodbye to your current location, you are on your own.

Why do you want to leave well?

Short answer: to make sure that you do not get stuck living in the past.
Being stuck is not fun, especially when you have a new life waiting for you in a new location. If you want to hit the ground running, you cannot afford to be weighed down by nostalgia and regrets.

But what if you hated your current location and cannot wait to move away?

The same reasoning applies. You can get stuck in bitterness and fear just as easily – and that too will affect your relationship with your new country.

OK – so how do you do that “Leaving well” thing?

Your HR department or relocation company will not give you a handy check-list to make sure that you are ready to leave your current location behind. That is a shame, because in the grand scheme of things, this is a thousand times more important than labelling your boxes or disconnecting utilities.

So why don’t we come up with our own checklist?

Here is what I would put on mine:

1. Say goodbye
2. Get closure
3. Make memories
4. Pay attention to other family members’ feelings
5. Reflect on my relationship with change
6. Commit to moving on

I know – easier said than done! Throughout the month of June, we will take a more detailed look at each of these steps, and along the way, we will pick up some more tips about international relocation.

If this sounds of interest, get free updates by clicking the RSS icon at the top of your screen – it is the most convenient and easiest way to make sure you don’t miss any tips.

Emmanuelle

Image by alicetragedy, via Flickr Creative Commons

The Expat Life: Quote Of The Month – On Moving Away

Posted on 01. Jun, 2009 by Emmanuelle Archer in Blog, Musings & Inspiration, Relocation
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“Wheresoever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius

Are you moving this summer? Is it time for you to move on to your next assignment, go where the jobs are, or maybe return to your home country?

Even an eagerly anticipated move can turn your life upside down. You need to deal with the logistics of course, but much more importantly, you need to take care of yourself emotionally.

Boxes don’t have feelings. They’ll be OK. You, on the other hand, need to make sure that you get closure and leave well, so that you can thrive in your next location instead of living in the past.

This month, we look at the best strategies to help you ensure that you “go with all your heart” – serenely and looking forward to the future.

Emmanuelle

Image: “Relaxing in the sun after moving” by Indieink – via Flickr Creative Commons