Motivation you can use anytime, anywhere in the world.

Are you truly enjoying your experience abroad and completely happy?
You may have days when your motivation is completely lost or your courage is below zero.

I sure recognize that. Over the past years, in every single country I’ve lived, there are days that I wondered ‘’did I make the right decision?, Would I be happier elsewhere?”

It’s only human to have ups and downs, whether you are living abroad or not, right? I guess so, but as an expat, it’s just different. You are the one who decided to move, you are the one that left your friends and family and well….the totality just ads more weight onto your shoulders.

Those down days is just what I need to feel SUPERB on all the other days! Without a doubt, if you ask me about my experience abroad, I give you one word: Amazing! Absolutely no regrets whatsoever, and I’m not ready to return just yet. Are you?

Over the years, I gathered a ton of quotes that boost my motivation. Sometimes I write them on a post-it and stick them on my mirror or vision board. Some quotes are from my book, some are from the internet.

Hereby a selection of my favorite quotes that will hopefully inspire you on your journey:

“I can’t think of anything that excites a greater sense of childlike wonder than to be in a country where you are ignorant of almost everything. Suddenly you are five years old again. You can’t read anything, you have only the most rudimentary sense of how things work, you can’t even reliably cross a street without endangering your life. Your whole existence becomes a series of interesting guesses.” – Bill Bryson

 

“Just be yourself. Be open and see the chances that come along and work for it! Do or do not. There is no trying.”-Nu from China

 

“If you do nothing unexpected, nothing unexpected happens.” -Fay Weldon

 

“People are lonely because they build walls instead of bridges.” -Joseph F. Newton

 

“The man who makes no mistakes does not usually make anything”  – Edward J. Phelps

 

“All thinking begins with wondering.” – Socrates

“Step out of your comfort zone; that is where the magic begins!”- Alessandra from Italy

 

“ Don’t be afraid to make friends with someone new. Don’t isolate but try to connect. Make an effort with anybody, not only locals. Don’t close yourself up. “- Erika from Indonesia

 

“You can, you should, and if you’re brave enough to start, you will.” – Stephen King

 

“Be kind whenever possible. It is always possible.” -Dalai Lama

 

“Try to integrate! Do not isolate by being an expat. Go out there! Don’t be too hard with yourself and go back home sometimes.”-Lidia from Italy

 

“The pessimist sees difficulty in every opportunity. The optimist sees the opportunity in every difficulty.”  – Winston Churchill

 

“If you talk to a man in a language he understands, that goes to his head. If you talk to him in his own language, that goes to his heart.” ‒Nelson Mandela

 

“Creativity requires the courage to let go of certainties.” – Erich Fromm

 

“It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare, It is because we do not dare that they are difficult.” – Seneca

 
“Moving abroad allows you to bypass the window, and go straight through the front door!” –Anonymous

“Life changes, and so can you.                         Enjoy your Journey! “                                         – Rachel Smets

 

I look forward to staying in touch with you, and sharing more information about settling in abroad. You can also check out my book Living Abroad Successfully. Meanwhile, visit my website for more resources, and let me know how I can help.