How I made the choice to move abroad

The end of summer is usually a place for new beginnings. I figured I would talk about the reasons I felt moving abroad was a good choice to make. This isn’t a post about the whole process of moving abroad. I’m still in the middle of becoming a permanent resident of The Netherlands.

This is more about the reasons why I left California. Sander was a major reason, of course, but he was not the defining factor. Relationships are two sided and instead of having him move to America, I decided to move to North Holland.

Moving to a new country is never an easy task. On top of leaving everything behind, I had to learn a new language and social norms. So when Sander asked me to move in with him, how was I able to find the pros and cons of the situation?

Perfect timing
I don’t want to go into too much detail but the time was right for me to leave. I was at a point where I was ready to move forward with my life. The next step was going to be a big one so why not move? Sometimes in life when a good opportunity presents itself, you have to take the plunge. When I looked at the possibilities of the future, the past was something I could leave behind. My old life was coming to a close and the best I could do was thank it for the experiences and move on.

Wanderlust
I always longed for something exciting in life. Much like Belle from Disney’s Beauty and the Beast, I wanted something greater than what I had. I grew up bored with my surroundings. This deepened after my mother took the family to London for the first time. I was in love. The grittiness of the city. The locations, the history, the accent… It was so appealing to me. I made a promise to myself that I would make it to Europe some how. Of course The Netherlands was not my first choice but it’s growing on me for sure!

Beginning of an era
Sander and I had been dating for about a year when he asked me to move in with him. It was the perfect time to take our relationship to the next level. We had a lot of chemistry and a similar personality so the decision was not difficult to make. Moving in to be with him and surrounded by his culture opened many new doors for me. It was the end of one era and the beginning of the next. I won’t say it’s been an easy time but the adventure has given me a lot to consider. I’ve been able to connect more with who I am. It feels so good!

Searching for independence
My parents came from a culture where the children stay in the house until marriage. Moving out in California is difficult because it’s such an expensive place to live. Moving in with Sander pushed me to be more independent. I’m still timid because I’m still learning Dutch. But being able to go to Amsterdam alone is such a thrilling feeling. I love taking the train to the city. I love riding a bike when I need to go places. The idea that I’m living a European life gives me life every day.

Ready to move forward
Even today I take each morning as a step forward. Sometimes two steps forward and one step back. Each new experience shapes who I am. As I work on this blog, learn new skills and meditate on who I want to me, I grow. This is a gift given to me by the universe. I took the chance to leap across the pond. So far it’s had its ups and downs. Sometimes the simplest tasks can be a challenge. But I can’t say the adventure wasn’t worth it.

If you’re looking for a reason to finally take the leap… Do it. I know I would have regretted the choice to say in California and end my relationship with Sander. There were so many factors that pushed me towards the idea of moving. I’m so glad I did.