Ask any woman who’s had a baby and they’ll tell you it is the most rewarding experience of their lives. However, after months and months of spending your entire day with an infant, you begin to feel as though you are losing touch with the adult world, particularly if you are accustomed to a fast-paced work life. Relocating to another country, whether your kids are young or even in their teens, might feel a lot like being a mother all over again: your activities and routines can make you feel like losing touch while you are adjusting to your new life in a new country.
For most women, relocating to a new country after a fast-paced and deeply-rooted life in another country might come with the cost of staying at home at the beginning: it is only natural to have an adjustment period before getting to know the culture and building a social circle from the ground up. For expat women, staying at home is about as different from their previous careers and lifestyles as you can imagine. Life at home can also be a shock because so many professional women never thought they’d end up there, couple that with the disappearance of the “extended family” and many stay-at-home-women and moms deal with feeling lonely.
After losing their colleagues at work, one might often feel friendless and alone as they get used to their new lifestyle. Unless an effort is made to get out and meet people, expat women can face days on end with no one to talk to, or in case they are mothers, no one to talk to but young, uncommunicative children. Without regular adult interaction expat moms may also feel as though they are losing their edge. Others may sense their intellect is slipping away from a lack of use. In some cases, isolation can make expats feel so psychologically depleted they find it hard to cope with anything.
As an expat mom, I soon learned that spending every waking moment of every day with your kids, the quantity of time you spend with them actually diminishes the quality of the time you get to share with them. I discovered that one profitable way to channel my energy was to start my own online business selling high-quality children’s clothing. I was amazed at how this process helped to keep my mind sharp which in turn improved the quality of time I spent with my children
This process also gave me some experience that expat women and moms may find useful when adjusting to the changes relocation has caused in their lives. So, here are some tips that might help you start off with your new life!
1. Find a project to help channel some of your energy to keep your mind sharp. This is the most important tip as this will improve the quality of time you spend with your family.
2. Enroll into a course or class of interest. Taking a business class or seminar at a local college or community center can help sharpen your skills and provide the interaction you need to stay productive, besides, you’ll meet new and interesting people. Look into online options if getting out of the house is not a possibility at the time.
3. Join a local gym or maybe find a mother-toddler exercise class (if you have children) to help maintain your physical health. Exercise is crucial to your overall well being and will help break up the monotony of a long day home with the kids.
4. Stay connected by creating a blog. Today thousands of women write blogs that pivot on a variety of subjects. Blogging about your new experiences as an expat woman is a great way to express your thoughts and opinions.
5. Check into the events being held at local libraries and art centers. Many local libraries offer a variety of classes, seminars, and shows you can attend. You’ll be surprised at the range and quality of events libraries and art centers may have available even for free!
6. Occupy yourself with journal writing. This simple practice only requires a pencil and a notepad and will provide you with endless benefits.
And last but not least, always remember that relocating and getting to a new city and a new country is a challenge, but also a great experience that will teach you a lot.
Jump in at all the possibilities your new town offers, re-create yourself and be sure to make the most of this opportunity!
Article written by:
Jasmine Stone
Coach and Entrepreneur
