New Year, New Views

Resolutions are just the absolute worst, no? Cliche, forced, and, unfortunately, sometimes useful. The new year invites us to reevaluate our habits, goals, and assumptions.

The impetus of the new year hinges on change and doing things differently. But before you can change something, you first must SEE it differently.

What feels fixed. What feels impossible. It’s getting out of the mindset of “this is just the way things are.”

Our family travelled home over the holiday break. We visited family and friends in Nashville and Atlanta for close to three weeks. It was great. We miss them all every day and cherished each moment we had with them.

I’m also here to report that nothing has changed. Maybe a couple of new restaurant openings/closings. Nieces and nephews got taller. Everything else? The same.

FOMO was probably the main factor holding us back when we first started our move abroad. We’d be missing milestones like the start of kindergarten. Our parents wouldn’t be a car ride away. The career trajectory may plateau for a while. 

But after a couple of trips back to the States, you realize that’s all still there if/when you decide to come back. And if something has changed, it reminds you that other people, other external factors, don’t wait around for you either.

We remind people we work with constantly that relocating to a new country doesn’t begin with plane tickets or paperwork. It begins when you loosen the belief that life has to continue along a single, familiar path. It’s a small internal adjustment that says, “maybe there’s another way.” 

It’s a subtle change. Almost invisible. And it opens up so many more possibilities.

This week, we were reminded of that in a much smaller, more literal way.

We moved our desk.

Literally just pivoted it. But the view changed, and now the light hit differently. The rhythm of the day feels different. Even our thinking feels a little less boxed in. Nothing external had “improved,” yet everything felt slightly more possible.

It’s a good reminder: perspective matters more than we think.

As this year begins, you don’t need a full plan or a bold declaration. Sometimes the work is simply noticing where your view has narrowed and experimenting with what happens when you shift it, even an inch.

New years don’t require new lives.

But they do invite new views.

Move Abroad, Keep your Career (& Income)

Most people who want to move abroad never do it. Not because they don't want it badly enough, but because they can't make the money work. Your career can travel, but not by accident. Understanding how to translate your professional value across borders and make money is the difference between people who talk about leaving and people who actually go. You'll stop researching and start progressing.

Melissa will be hosting a live webinar next Friday, January 23, at 12 pm ET, going over how to do just this. And it’s free!

What you'll learn:

Assess your career's international portability - Complete a skills inventory showing what translates abroad and what needs reinvention or upskilling.

Calculate your real financial runway abroad - Get honest numbers on what you need to earn vs. what's realistic in year one, including hidden costs people miss.

Build your personalized 90-day action plan - Leave with three prioritized action items to make your career move-ready before you relocate.

See the full event information and register below.

Updated Move Aboard Program Offering

We finally overhauled our program offering for people and families planning to move abroad on our website.

Head over to check out our 60-minute deep dives, personalized coaching, or trip planning and retreat information.

Until next time,

Benn (+ Melissa)