There are many reasons why you might have decided to move overseas. It could be an exciting new job opportunity or the chance to travel to new and unseen places. However, regardless of why you’ve made the decision, the process itself can be extremely overwhelming. It certainly isn’t easy packing up your entire life and moving somewhere with a completely different culture!
In this article, we are going to discuss some tips to help you move abroad without getting so stressed. Sound interesting? Then keep on reading!
Follow a checklist
Just like moving interstate or even down the street, a checklist is vital if you are making the decision to go overseas. This way, you can have everything pre-planned out, months before you leave the country.
Try and keep a record of everything, including a date of when it has been completed. This includes the items you have packed, and if you have organized any transport methods to get your items to your new home. Check out this expat moving checklist to get yourself started.
Sort out your paperwork first
Sometimes the trickiest part of moving is all of the paperwork that is involved. It can be very stressful, especially since there are so many different things to consider. You’ll want to go over everything, from passports and visas, right through to Global Medical Insurance. This way, everything is organized in advance, and you won’t be concerned about them at the last minute. Trust us when we say, you’ll be grateful you were so prepared.
Declutter your life
Moving all of your belongings to the other side of the planet can be very difficult, which is why it can be extremely beneficial to declutter your home a few months before leaving. It will make the packing process much more comfortable, and you won’t have to worry about throwing out things at the last minute.
Start on the weekend and try donating/throwing out items that you know you no longer need. You won’t get so stressed later on, and you know that your previous items will find good homes.
Research the destination in advance
If you haven’t been to your new home/destination multiple times, to make things easier, try and do plenty of research before moving. Things like brushing up on the local laws, checking out a map of the area, and finding out any emergency contact numbers might just put your mind at ease. It’s also a great way to start getting more of an idea of the best places around town, so you can start enjoying yourself straight away!
Hire professional movers
While you might be tempted to save some extra cash and do most of the moving, if you are new to an area, hiring professional movers is a must. Not only do they know their way around the town, but they will be able to deliver everything in a timely manner so that you can move into your new home straight away. It’s one of the best ways to reduce your stress when becoming an ex-pat for the first time.
Think about the positives
Stress can impact your health in several ways, and focusing on the negatives is one way to cause your brain concern. Instead, try and go over all of the positives of moving abroad, rather than the disadvantages. You might be able to experience new travel opportunities, save money with a cheaper cost of living, or even learn more about a completely different culture. There are so many great things about becoming an ex-pat, that you need to remember to enjoy yourself and not get caught up so much in the moving process.
Join an online ex-pat community
If you have moved overseas alone, then it can be challenging to find people to share your experiences with. If you are feeling stressed about being by yourself, try finding an online ex-pat community close to where you are living. You would be amazed at how supportive everybody can be, and you’ll be able to talk with others for more advice and tips.
Keep in touch with your family and friends
Lastly, while you might be busy getting yourself settled in, it’s important to remember to stay connected with your family and friends. Try choosing a night each week to call or video chat. Staying in touch with those that you love will make the entire process much easier and give you that boost of happiness that you may need.
By following the above tips, you can ensure that your move abroad goes as smoothly as possible without getting so overwhelmed. If you are starting to have some regrets, try and remember why you wanted to move in the first place. You shouldn’t give up so easily and instead try and think about all of the different benefits of becoming an ex-pat.
Good luck!
The Editorial Team at Healthcare Business Today is made up of skilled healthcare writers and experts, led by our managing editor, Daniel Casciato, who has over 25 years of experience in healthcare writing. Since 1998, we have produced compelling and informative content for numerous publications, establishing ourselves as a trusted resource for health and wellness information. We offer readers access to fresh health, medicine, science, and technology developments and the latest in patient news, emphasizing how these developments affect our lives.