Is It Worth It to Stretch Too Far Outside Your Comfort Zone?
When you’re living abroad
This is a question I’ve often received from those looking to understand how their move will go. Or if they should keep going when challenges don’t end after a year or two.
Who wouldn’t want to go back to the comfortable?
My answer as someone who has lived in 5 countries in less than a decade: It depends if you value short-term gains or long-term ones.
If you’re looking for shortcuts, this route is not for you.
If you’re looking for long-term rewards beyond lifestyle and money, like learning or living in alignment with your values. Then, it could be a ‘yes’.
As per the World Economic Forum, ‘global citizenship’ is one of the top 5 skills of the future. 2 other critical skills on this list are ‘creativity’ and ‘collaboration’.
It’s unnecessary to move to a different corner of the world to learn these skills. Some people do it without moving.
Yet, it’s undeniable you learn better by long exposures to diverse environments.
Now, coming to the question: Is it worth it to stretch too far outside our comfort zone? This has been my experience :
Pros
- Developing empathy for a wider group by listening and understanding contrasting views.
- Shifting my views from either extreme because of faulty assumptions to more balanced ones.
- Becoming less reactive when triggered
- Learning how to navigate tough situations
Cons
- Spending disproportionate energy in adapting responses to people to be heard and understood.
- Finding the right people in new environments can take time
- Establishing a routine takes a humongous effort every time.
- Confusing pronunciation of simple words
Exposing myself to high levels of discomfort has been a net positive for me.
This makes my belief in global citizenship stronger.
I want to raise my daughter to have a global outlook. Therefore, in her upbringing, I use a combination of parenting approaches, which are a mix of Indian and Western influences.
No culture has it 100% right, so the more you mix it up, the better you can learn and grow.
If you’re a fellow expat, I’d love to know: What would you add to this list of pros and cons?
If you’re looking for more tips on an international career, my free e-book would help you as it’s helped 50+ other people who have read it.
