In this episode we talk about redefining success after moving abroad alone: we discuss what success meant for us before moving to Portugal and if the way we view success has changed. We talk about feeling guilty for being unproductive, feeling lost after moving and feeling behind (or not) compared to people back home. Also we discuss if moving abroad made us feel more successful or less. We share what we let go of that used to define our worth to find out what success means to us now, after moving to another country and building a complete new life.
Enjoy listening and don’t forget to rate the podcast and leave us a review on your favorite podcast platform, like Spotify – it will help more hearts find our little corner of the world.
With love, April Betts & Anna Jirina.
About From Lisbon With Love
Welcome to From Lisbon With Love! A podcast about real stories of love, laughter, and life in Lisbon — from women who have left it all behind. We share real stories about moving to Lisbon, starting over and figuring life out along the way. We talk love, dating, friendships, breakups, healing, growing, all of it. Basically, the stuff we usually talk about over coffee ☕️ or vinho 🍷. If you’re thinking about moving to Lisbon, already here or just love honest conversations with heart: you’re in the right place! Learn more about our story here.
The reality of moving abroad
Moving abroad is a life changing experience on itself and comes with many challenges, like making new friends, learning a new language and adjusting to a new lifestyle and routine. But it also involves a lot of mental challenges, such as homesickness, loneliness and even identity loss. On top of that, moving abroad alone can shift your perspective in many ways, for example how you view life, happiness and success.
Although we’ve never regretted our decision to move abroad, our journey hasn’t always been easy. In an earlier episode we opened up about our lowest moments abroad and the mental struggles that came with moving abroad alone.
Redefining success after moving abroad
After moving abroad, it’s very common to develop new ways of viewing success, as you broaden your perspective and life experience. Redefining success after moving abroad often involves shifting focus from traditional values like job titles and material possessions to personal growth, resilience and staying true to yourself.
After moving abroad, many people realize that they can live with far less than they thought and find joy in experiences rather than possessions. For many, being able to manage their own time and living in a slower pace becomes the most valuable thing, in contrary to the ‘hustle culture’ that’s often experienced before moving abroad. This can be an adjustment in the beginning, something we also talk about in this episode.
Of course the definition of success and feeling successful is different for everybody. After moving abroad alone it could be realizing you can rely solely on yourself to figure out complex tasks in your new country, from finding a place to live to navigating a new legal system. Although it might not always be easy, every challenge is an opportunity for growth and gaining more self-confidence.
In this episode we explore what success really means to us and we discuss if we feel more (or less) successful after moving abroad alone. We talk about societal expectations and pressure, authenticity, and the importance of living life for yourself.
Moving abroad alone: Why we did it
Curious to know why we decided to move abroad alone? In this episode we share why we moved to Lisbon.
