What you’ll learn in this episode:
• How change is an inevitable part of our lives — especially when we’re living abroad — and how accepting and even embracing change (rather than resisting it) can allow us to be happier.
• Some tips for learning how to accept and embrace change in your life — including practicing being fully present, recognizing that this too shall pass, welcoming change (or relaxing into it), practicing gratitude, and practicing self-compassion. Read More
It’s that time of year again!
The time when people start to talk about their New Year’s resolutions.
The beginning of a new year is a great opportunity to reflect back on the year we’ve had, what we’ve accomplished and learned, and what our priorities and goals are for the year ahead.
At the same time, many of us go about setting these goals and priorities in way that feels harsh and critical — and also tends to set us up for failure.
So what can we do to start off this new year on the right track? Read More
Heraclitus (an ancient Greek philosopher) wrote, “No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.”
I love this metaphor.
The moment you step in the water, it has already moved on, constantly flowing, constantly changing.
You may look at the river and see what looks like a single entity, but, of course, its very nature is constant change.
And, as Heraclitus so rightly points out, so is ours.
“No man ever steps in the same river twice, for it’s not the same river and he’s not the same man.” —Heraclitus
Both we and our lives are constantly changing. Our bodies are changing. Our perspectives and even our personalities are growing and evolving, responding to the flow of our experiences. Our values may change. What we want may change. The circumstances and events of our lives are in a constant flux. Our emotions are ebbing and flowing from one moment to the next.
When we try to hold on to the moment, to prevent things from changing, we often feel out of control, desperate, afraid. Sort of like trying to hold on to water as it flows through our hands. Read More
Moving to a new country and adapting to a new culture is both incredibly rewarding and unbelievably challenging — sometimes at the same time.
Researchers have developed a number of different theories to try to better understand the process of adjusting to a new cultural environment. In this article, we’ll discuss the concept of ‘culture shock’ and how it can manifest differently for different people.
Then, in the next few articles in this Cultural Adjustment Series, we’ll discuss some of the theories of cultural adjustment, as well as some of their limitations — and how all of this might help you make sense of your own experience of life abroad. Read More