Phases people get trough when moving abroad (alone)

Today is two months that I am in Madrid. The city I was dreaming about a few years ago. Still don't know why. I remember watching Spanish movies and series and fell in love with language, cinema style and quality of art. I just know that I need to be there. This kind of feeling and inner voice leaded me here, in this city. And here I am. Before two months I arrived. Before one month I started my blog and instagram profile for photography. Today I decided to make it public.

Well, my travel experience was full of mixed feelings and no sleep. I was rollercoaster of emotions, because so much things happen in such a short period. One of the hardest thing for me was leaving my best friend left behind. My adorable dog. I am working on bringing him here as soon as possible and can't wait to hug this beautiful creature So. I arrived on bus station from my hometown (Rijeka) to Venice and there was my angel, that helped me travel in better mood. At the bottom of my heart I am grateful for meeting this man and probably he don't know how he make me feel more relaxed and with hope everything will be alright. It was around 09.00 p.m and I ask him if he is waiting for the same bus (I was in little panic because bus was late) and actually he also went to airport, so we' ve been together whole time and had interesting talks and jokes. My flight was at 06:00 a.m. so we spent pleanty of time together.

Around 08:00 I arrived in Barcelona and needed to wait train until 13:30. I was worried how everything will work out. I supposed to wait family (I was Workawaying) at train station and when I saw the kid and the father waiting for me with the smile on their face I somehow feel very welcomed and I forgot all my problems left behind at home. New life is waiting for me. Fresh start. I really need it. I really want that.

New language, new people, nobody knows nothing about me and about my past. No talks behind the back, no corrupted Croatia, no bad memories. Completely starting my life from 0. It's so liberating. I am free. And thankful for this opportunity.

It is not for everybody. A lot of people have desire, but never do anything to make their dreams come true. Because of fear. That's useless. One of my favourite quotes is "it's better to regret the things you did, than things you didn't do" and I completely felt it. I think I am finally in period of life where I don't regret absolutely anything. Here are the things that I think everybody who is moving aboard (alone) is getting trough.

1.YOU WILL BE EXCITED AND EUPHORIC

This is first stage. For a second you forgot everything about your old life and you started to be extremely excited. Especially if it's something you wanted longer time ago. You enjoy new culture, new things to discover, such as; museums, art galleries, nightlife, food and city in general. You are happy with this change and this phase is called euphoria. You are so happy and grateful. You speak about your new change to your friends with a lot of enthusiasm in your voice. You can't wait to discover all the amazing things that is waiting for you. You are very happy and it usually last few weeks or month.

2.CULTURAL SHOCK

In this stage you started to question your own decision. "What the fuck I'm doing here? Where was my brain when I make this decision? Is this city/country good for me? How will I make my career here and true deep friendships? Everybody already have their circle of close friends since childhood, how will I fit in? Spain is not even economically develop country. Why I choose to come here, not in Germany or Luxembourg? Spain is only fucking country in EU where I need special number (NIE) to have right to work. Fuck you Spain. Spain bureaucracy is the worts and the slowest, even worse then in Croatia. Spanish people are so lazy and they never want to work. It took weeks that they answer a mail, I will go crazy! I am open- minded, but why such a lot of boys, even heterosexual dresses like a girl? I miss the sea! "Well....that is cultural shock phase. You started question everything and you start to compare country you are living with the country where you are from. Sometimes you can feel superior over locals, thinking in your country a lot of things are better. You can start miss your family and friends in this phase, or for example your favourite meal that is not existing in country you are living. This phase usually last few months, for some exceptions few weeks. Depends of personality and your wish to adapt. This phase is not comfortable at all.

3. ADAPTATION

You are cool. Everything goes well. "PMS period" , even if you are a man - finished. Your thoughts are clear. Your head is peaceful. It is wat it is. You start to believe in yourself and your decision again. Everything is alright. Look, how the sun is shining for you. Look around and see how everybody is happy, original, multi - cultural and tolerant. I love this city. And what it offers. Plenty of job opportunities, heaven for art, sunniest capital in Europe. I must came here for a reason and everything will turn out alright. Spanish language is so beautiful and Spanish people too. People want to help me, they want me to succeed, they want to be my friends. And they want to hear everything about Croatia and they love Croatia, by the way! And Luka Modrić. Spanish people are actually more like me. Open - minded and friendly. When Croatians are not so. I belong more to this mentality. I like to be here. Everything will get better. This phase is adaptation. You are accepting situation and everyday you feel more and more like at home and you are improving on every level. Private and professional.

4. LIVING YOUR FULLY POTENTIAL

What else can I say. You have a dream job. You have your own rented apartment or you are even buying a house. Maybe you have partner from this country and you are really happy together. You know language fluently and you know every corner of the city and everything about locals and culture. You are living your fully potential. You've been to plenty of weddings and maybe to a few funerals too. Now you have two homes. Your birth country and the country you live in. Everything is exactly like it should be and you are proud of yourself.

To get to this last phase some people need months, some more than five years. Some people say they don't feel like at home even after 10 years. But it all depends on personality and how hard they try. Someone come in the new country with negative attitude and they will never be happy. I think this kind of people are conservative, thinking their country is the best and only come to new country because of money or similar reason. You will get what you give. It's simple. If you just moved aboard and are getting to this stages let me tell you everything will turn out alright and all your emotions are valid and normal. In the next posts I will write about amazing benefits when moving aboard alone.