When you decide to relocate abroad, there are many ways your life will change; relocating is a significant life event.
There’s an awful lot of planning goes into relocation, and a lot can go wrong. Using a relocation checklist is a great idea to reduce the stress of moving. Moreover, be sure you have health insurance for UK citizens in the US. You can also purchase travel insurance and reach out to the expatriate community for some valuable advice.
But what about once you have settled in? Let’s shine some light on some ways your life will change with this decision.
You might notice some personality changes
Relocating to a foreign country means you’ll leave everything you know behind and start a new chapter somewhere else.
In the process, you’ll find your personality might change a bit to suit your new life and environment. Being out of your comfort zone will also feed a new level of independence, which adds to an already strong personality.
You could be happier
Research says that moving will make you happier, but only up to a point. The rest is up to you. Being in a new home, you have the opportunity to change what you do and don’t like. Most people move because they want a change.
Although it is stressful to be in a new place, you will find your feet socially. Keeping a positive outlook and looking for new things will encourage your happiness.
Once you have settled in, you now have the opportunity to meet some new people. By meeting new people, you are not only improving your social skills. It may start small, but over time you will start noticing the change in your overall mood once you have moved.
The weather will be different
Moving to America from the UK can be an exciting but challenging experience, with many changes and adjustments to make, including potential changes in personality, weather differences, and possible feelings of loneliness since the climate can have a considerable impact on our mental well-being. Studies have shown that living somewhere that is constantly cloudy and raining can bring down one’s mood.
Sunshine isn’t known as the “happiness” vitamin for no reason. Areas that are sunny show more professional and personal growth. However, not everyone will notice these shifts.
You might become a minimalist
When you move, you might take the opportunity to thin out your physical possessions. You’ll realize how much you can save by living with less from the moment you downsize to afford a cheaper relocation.
By not filling your house with unnecessary items, you will also lower your stress levels; according to science, clutter causes stress and anxiety. Minimalists generally feel less stressed and anxious because a clean living environment compliments a clean mind. This creates more opportunities for personal growth by creating feelings of happiness and fulfillment.
Minimalists experience more free time and financial savings. This lifestyle also allows us to focus on our priorities. By removing clutter and mess from your life, you’re also making space for new valuable additions to your life.
You might feel lonely
Although loneliness is not a positive aspect of moving, most expatriates experience some level of homesickness shortly after relocation. Although, if you are moving with a partner or your family, you might not experience this.
If you have moved away from your family or are relocating for retirement, it is a possibility. Feelings of loneliness can also be seen as a way to put yourself out there. Try meeting new people and creating a new social circle to combat this.
With the internet of things right at your fingertips, there are many ways to find new people. A local coffee shop or park might have what you are looking for. You might find yourself quickly falling in love with your new location.
Perhaps you will get to know yourself better or fall in love with yourself again. Don’t let temporary feelings of loneliness stop you from experiencing all the new wonders you have in front of you.
A higher quality of life
Lastly, one of the main reasons people decide to relocate is to obtain a better quality of life. Sometimes, we move to feel safe in our investment properties finally or to avoid the stress of a collapsing economy and a struggling job market.
All of these relocation virtues are reachable. So, beyond living in a more welcoming climate and meeting new people from different cultural backgrounds, you can also expect the changes that come along with a higher quality of life.
Most significantly, a higher quality of life will benefit mental wellbeing. But realistically, a better quality of life positively impacts every area of our lives.
Although you might have a hard time at the beginning of a move, you will soon start to notice the benefits. Before you move, make a checklist of everything you would like to experience in your new town. And if you’re struggling with homesickness, schedule a vacation back home and stay in contact with your loved ones.