The Joys of Connecting Via My Blog

One of the best things about blogging (in my humble opinion) is making connections with so many interesting, supportive and often inspiring people. I have had the pleasure of chatting, (via my blog), with a number of other expats who either already live abroad or are , like me, planning to move and start an adventure. I’m a ‘connecting ‘kinda gal, I find great pleasure in getting to know people. To me, finding a commonality with a new person gives me so much pleasure. I’ve found through the years, especially in my business, that there is almost always something to find that I have in common with someone. It’s like a treasure hunt, finding that one little connection that links us and makes us a little less complete strangers and closer to friends. Rarely have I met a person who I cannot find something in common with.

At this time in my life, as I am preparing to venture into a new chapter , I find it tremendously encouraging and comforting to hear other peoples stories. It turns out, we aren’t the only ‘crazy’ people who have decided to start anew in a different country. In my day to day life I rarely come into contact with people like us, who are attracted to the pull of expatriating. Some have used the term, ‘Wanderlust’. The lust of Wandering around, collecting and enjoying new experiences. Now, I should edit what I just said, because I have many many friends and acquaintances who enjoy the pull of wanderlust but a variety that regrettably must end when the vacation ends. I know plenty of folks who enjoy traveling and seeing the world as much as they possibly can . Venturing out and exploring new and exciting places that they have never seen and soaking up every moment they can. Through the years I always enjoy comparing notes on places I’ve seen and adding yet another location to put on my list of ‘must see’ spots in the world based on what I hear from others. Indeed many people in my life have the travel-bug! The ‘bug’ that is not so common is that one that gets under your skin and sends you tumbling head over feet into a complete relocation to someplace far and away!

It’s an unstoppable Wanderlust that once it creeps under your skin there’s just no escaping the urge to move along . I don’t often come into contact ,in my day to day life, with others quite as ready to embrace an adventure such as expatriating. Many people look at me with a look of bemused disbelief when I tell them our plan. I’ve heard time and again, ” I would NEVER want to do that!” And yet others are curious and have many questions and tell me they have often thought of expatriating themselves but just don’t think they would ever actually do it. This is why It’s so great to meet other folks with the same willingness to embrace a similar path for their life. There is an instant connection with those people who I have met through my blog. They get “it” in a way that few do. There is a spirit of adventure and a certain amount of bravery and a willingness as well as a deep desire to let go of all the familiar ‘creature comforts’ of home. A desire to learn and a heart of acceptance of a different way of living. For many I’m sure the initial motivation may have been the economics . Of course our retirement money will go much further outside of the U.S. . And for some, like us, an early retirement means an opportunity to discover other interests and explore possibilities that would never be available while working to support the lifestyle here. To leave a life if familiarity and seek out an entirely new life is a jump into the unknown that does not call to the masses. Although the idea seems to be catching on and we read more and more about larger amounts of retirees choosing to explore a life abroad, it’s still not everyday that we meet others who are buying into it, like us.

In June it will be a year since I began to Blog about this crazy and incredibly exciting decision to move our lives to Panama. I’ve enjoyed sharing my feelings and stories about all the many changes this move is creating for me and Scott. Most of our friends and family members have expressed how much they have enjoyed reading about this adventure of ours. It’s helped people understand, a bit, why we would want to take this path. The unexpected pleasure I’ve gotten and continue to get from my blog has been the opportunity to become acquainted with other like-minded people all over Central America who find the pull of Wanderlust has drawn them into A life full of new experiences. I look forward to someday meeting my blogging friends in real life and to spending time comparing notes on all the pleasures and challenges of the path less traveled. Life is good and no matter where you call home it’s always an Adventure!

Advertisement