Pomster

We are returning for work (so reluctantly) but I have learnt, although sometimes quick decisions are good, sometimes you should not make snap judgements.

I was keen to return to UK in my first 2 years in Oz , then sometime in year 3 I realised melbourne had grown on me.

Now I am really sad to be leaving behind all the friends we have made, and the things we are familiar with....but we will be back.

Mountain Girl

I am not returning, but I have learnt the true meaning of this quote.

"If you dont achieve peace within yourself, you will never find it anywhere else".

Tr1boy

I've learnt that being away from Australia has only strengthened the things that I disliked about living there.

But I've also learnt that despite the UK offering me everything I wanted and being as great as I knew it would be, that somehow I/we don't belong here, as a couple long term.

I've learnt that the things that I use to rely on England for to define and centre me, actually reside in Mrs T now. She is my country, my centre, my sense of purpose and the reason I get up each day* If she's happy, I'm happy.

After living in 5 countries I've learnt I can live anywhere, but truly belong nowhere. I've learnt it takes a great deal of inner strength to confront these things. I've learnt I have that strength.

It's been sad and empowering at the same time.










* plus the odd triathlon and cycle race.

LisaP

What a lovely, lovely post Pablo, thank you.

charleygirl

Pablo, beautiful words......written so well.......was that your words or from a book?

Aviator

To stay where I am!

poppycat

I've learned:
.
1. To truly not sweat the small stuff; it all works out in the end.
2. That I have more emotional strength than I ever gave myself credit for.
3. To focus my energy on things I can change, rather than whining about things I can't.
3. To truly appreciate my family rather than take them for granted.
4. That positive thinking reaps positive rewards.
5.. That every cloud, no matter how black, has a silver lining. Sometimes we've got to look for it, but it's always there. .
6. That life is only as difficult as I choose to make it - regardless of where I live.


.

Pablo1

Lestagirl

When we came back from Florida I wrote a few essays about before during and after our move, just jottings really. The whole experience had a huge impact on me. So all my words not from a book, I wrote about 75 thousand in total……….good therapy!!!

http://britishexpats.com/forum/showt...=532669&page=3 post 33

Another one…..

Pablo1

callé

Lovely words Pablo!!

manc1

As mentioned previously, that the grass is not greener. That I will probably have eternal itchy feet, it's probably in the genes. That I get a warm feeling inside that is difficult to explain, when I return to the UK. It just feels like home.

killerhales

We left the UK in 1995 and are planning to return in 2012.

What have we learnt:

The Bahamas is one of the best places in the world for a holiday, but the optimum time to be a resident is about three years.

Don't live in The Netherlands unless you are Dutch or are direct to the point of being rude or arrogant.

The Irish are even more welcoming than the Bahamians (but only just) and when you eventually leave your liver will have been very well trained for any social challenge in the future.

Your children will accept and embrace all colours, creeds and cultures if they are exposed to them. They will also see the whole world as an opportunity and not just one particular corner of it.

Maintaining contact with friends and family has to be worked on but is worth every effort.

When a partner is signalling that it is time to go "home", plan carefully for the children's sake, but make it happen to an agreed timetable.

Look back at your travels as a marvellous adventure (those rose-tinted spectacles help with this, anyway) and be thankful that the right opportunities presented themselves at the right time.

sallysimmons

I have learned that just because two people agree on emigrating to another country, that doesn't mean they'll both always agree on everything ... like when it's time to go home to England ... or if it will ever be time.

I've also learned that I find platitudes like 'follow your dreams' to be intensely irritating. If only life were that simple.

Cheetah7

Yes the follow your dreams bit gets me as well.

Following my bloody dreams would be like using a Sat Nav that didnt correspond with the area - I would end up all over the place not knowing which direction to take

Theantikid

I have learned that I know nothing about anything.
I can feel as frightened as when I was a child.
There is a saying that making a decision is the death of possiblities and I have learned the truth of that.

reeni

That basing large changes on emotions should always be backed up by logic and have a good follow thru!

To be open to change and to be solid in your planning.

Life is never easy and the more people you have depending on you the more complicated it gets.

That i CAN learn and i am not as closed minded as most of my extended family.

Never trust bad people.... they are not capable of being nice no matter how good of actors they are! Go with your gut!