Reflecting on my first month abroad
It's been a little over a month since I moved to Wroclaw, and it's been an emotional rollercoaster to say the least. After nearly a decade living in New York, I was so ready for change. At that point I was simply tired of dealing with the dreaded daily commute, crowded subways, and summers that felt like hell on earth. I had a stable career, family close by and a circle of amazing girlfriends, but it still felt like something was missing. When the opportunity to move to Poland came about, I pretty much jumped at the idea. I mean, it is pretty cool. How many people can say they've actually LIVED in a foreign country? But, after actually doing it, I can say with confidence that the transition has been a lot harder than I anticipated.
Here are a few things I've learned since moving to Poland:
1. Change is really hard
Aside from the obvious language barrier and major cultural differences of living in Europe, sometimes I get really homesick. I miss my friends and family more than anything, but I also miss shitty $1 coffee (why is all coffee so fancy in Europe!), oyster happy hours, yellow cabs, and long drives along the Hudson. I know things will get easier in time but, for now, I can't help but miss my home. My bestie Sam put it in relatable terms when she told me it took her around 6 months to acclimate after her move from NYC to LA (where she already had a few friends). Now imagine moving to a foreign country in a different time zone where you have no friends and don't speak the language. Luckily I've made some friends and we do have family nearby, but my point is that even if your heart desires change it can be difficult to adapt.
2. It's okay to cry
Crying doesn't make you weak. In fact, I believe it makes you stronger. I've cried more times than I can count since moving to Poland. Sometimes it's over the smallest, most insignificant thing (cue me sobbing over pasta sauce the other night), but each time I cry I feel a lot better. It's like all the negative feelings are just purged from my body leaving me with a fresh new slate. Being vulnerable sucks, but it's necessary if you want to be honest with yourself about how you're feeling. For me, crying is a sign that I'm in touch with my emotions and not shying away from them. Plus it just feels damn good.
3. FOMO is real
Fear of missing out. It's real, and it's here to stay. Whether they've happened yet or not, I can't help but feel like I'm missing out on some monumental moments back home. Friends getting married, babies being born, starting new careers, becoming homeowners, life's finest moments. I try to keep up with my friends on the regular but there's always thoughts running through my head wondering what they're doing without me. Do they go to the same restaurants? Do they miss me as much as I miss them? Then there's things like Thanksgiving and Christmas. What will I be missing out on during the holidays back home?
4. Technology is amazing
The fact that I can call my parents, who are on the other side of the world, through WhatsApp FOR FREE (and hear them clear as day) is pretty great. Technology really makes the world a small place. As annoying as it can be to have electronic leashes, living abroad has made me more thankful than ever that it's 2017. What a time to be alive!
Although this transition has been a bit difficult and scary at times, I am looking forward to building our own family traditions here in Poland. I do believe that most things work out in time and the little things that bother me today won't even be a blip on my radar eventually. This is truly just the beginning of an incredible journey.
xoxo,
Tat