One thing that surprises you about being an expat is the equilibrium you reach after you live in another country for a certain amount of time. There is the honeymoon phase, which is obvious. Everything is new, and amazing, and you are on a grand adventure. Then reality sets in, and doing simple everyday things become challenging. You realize that you need a lot of help to act independently. But you know that life in a foreign country isn’t easy, and you are up for the challenge. Every small victory adds confidence. And you have good and bad days, but in the end, it’s still an adventure.
Slow Transitions
One day, you turn around, and you discover that you’ve carved out a comfortable existence. It might not exactly be what you thought going into living abroad, but it also doesn’t fill you with anxiety or chip away at your self-image. The little victories aren’t as important, but you have set yourself on a path to learn. Even if it’s taking longer than you expected, or you still don’t have the most polished interactions with locals, you find your stride. But then, something happens. You keep moving forward, but you don’t get out of your comfort zone. Life still is taxing, but you aren’t being as serious a study in making it easier. You have your basics down, and your routine is steady, if not always ideal. But the markers of growth and success aren’t as obvious, and you find yourself falling into a complacency that keeps you going. Still, either you feel isolated on some level, or you find yourself seeking out elements that are familiar to your home culture.
It’s not exactly that the wind is out of your sails, it’s more that you leave a lot of slack in your sail.