Why is it that some expats are always happy and upbeat while others find themselves depressed and frustrated? Here are a few factors that can influence the happiness of an expatriate wherever they are.
1. Be intensely curious. Relocating to a new country is always interesting. Learn about the culture and experience a different way of life. Try new foods and sports. Enjoy exploring the new world around you. Being curious around this new world leads to happiness.
2. Accept others as they come, don’t judge, and don’t try to change people. No matter how much things may bother you and no matter how much you disagree, a judgmental attitude never gets anyone anywhere. Acceptance is the key to happiness.
3. Look at everything as an amazing learning experience. Someone once said that “life is always offering us new beginnings, it’s up to us whether to take them or not.” That’s an empowering way to look at what’s available around you at every moment of every day.
4. Find opportunities wherever you are and don’t lament those left behind. The life of an expatriate consists of one move after another. Sometimes never knowing when the next move is coming. Opportunities that were available in one place may not be available in another. But remember there will be new opportunities, so don't keep looking back but rather focus on what's ahead.
5. Know that feeling sad at times is part of the game. Being happy doesn't mean being happy ALL the time. A happy expat also experiences sad times, it's part of the expatriate experience. Leaving friends behind; leaving your family far away; quitting a job or changing a career … these can all lead to feelings of sadness. The difference between a happy expat and an expat who isn't happy is that for the former the sadness is something that’s natural and something that doesn’t take over their life.
6. Share. Share your feelings with your friends and family when you are sad or going through astressful times. Share your experience with others, help those like you find the best facets of their expatriate journeys.
7. Stay clear of bad attitudes. It is so very easy to blame someone else in your misfortunes. It’s easy to say that everything around you is horrible; it’s easy to sulk in your misery when you’ve convinced yourself that it’s not up to you; and it’s easy to put a barrier between you and the place you live in. Yet there is no way you are going to be happy where you live, if you consistently engage in criticism, sulking, and stonewalling. Staying clear of bad attitudes will help you be happier.
source: Global Coach Centre
