The First Step of an Epic Adventure is to Know Your “Why”

Summary

The article emphasizes the importance of understanding one's personal motivations, or "Why," when planning an extended family adventure abroad, as detailed in the book "Let's Leave the Country! A Guide to Your Family Year Abroad."

Abstract

The author of the article, who has written a book on the subject, stresses that having a clear understanding of why one wants to live abroad is crucial for overcoming the challenges that come with such a significant life change. The "Why" serves as a guiding force throughout the planning process and the adventure itself. The article suggests listeners to their inner desires and aspirations that draw them towards living abroad, advocating that a positive pull towards a goal is more sustaining than simply escaping from something. The author shares personal experiences, including the desire to connect with ancestral culture and language, to illustrate how a strong "Why" can sustain motivation through bureaucratic hurdles and cultural learning curves, such as navigating visa processes or learning a new language. The article also invites readers to reflect on their own reasons for considering a move abroad and hints at the broader life insights that such reflection can bring.

Opinions

A strong "Why" is essential for easing the process of planning and executing a year abroad with one's family.
It is more empowering to be drawn to something positive in a new country than to be motivated by the desire to escape from one's current situation.
Personal growth and understanding, such as connecting with one's ancestral roots, can be a powerful motivator for living abroad.
Reflecting on one's reasons for wanting to live abroad can provide valuable insights that extend to other areas of life.
Despite the challenges, staying true to one's "Why" can lead to a sense of thriving, even when faced with difficulties like language barriers or bureaucratic processes.

Tips from my book “Let’s Leave the Country! A Guide to Your Family Year Abroad”

Photo by blazekg from Getty Images Pro via Canva.com

One of the fundamental things that kept me going as we were planning our year abroad was the deeper knowing of why I wanted to pursue such an adventure. Because it’s daunting to upend your life even for something exciting!

Having a strong Why is like holding a key that unlocks the door for it all to unfold more easily. So for anyone dreaming of creating an epic adventure abroad, here is that key in the form of a tip:

Start tuning in to the small voice inside you that wants to live abroad. Keep a browser open in your current life to act as a window on your Why. Ask yourself what might feed you at a deeper level. This way, you’ll have a well-developed divining rod when it comes time to define your deepest reasons for taking a year abroad.

The best kinds of Why call you in a positive way _to_ something, which is much more powerful than a Why that repels you from something.

My Why was that I wanted to better understand the culture and language of my ancestors. So no matter how many frustrating moments I had dealing with the Italian consulate to get our visa, I was determined to keep going.

And once we were settled in Genoa, no matter how many times I tripped over my double consonants when trying to communicate something even so basic as “No, the foccaccia fresh out of the oven, please” it meant I was thriving within my Why.

L: Fresh Foccaccia photo by Valentina Tubaro Getty Images/Canva; R: Italian Bureaucracy/getting fingerprinted — author family photo

When you think about the notion of living abroad, even if it’s only for a few months, what would be your personal Why? Contemplating the essence of such a dream can be a fun, insightful way to inform other areas of your life too.

I write about other stuff too:-)

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