5 mindful ways to achieve work-life balance after relocation to a new country

Relocation is a blessing. For most people at least. But what about housing, your spouse and kids, the new city, a different local language, social life, networking and paperwork? And all this done in a language other than your native one?

Let’s get things straight. Relocation is an unparalleled opportunity to experience new things, get to know new people and places and advance your career, right? Little do most people know, though, about the real challenges of relocation. 

More so, if you have a family with kids. Add to this the language blockage, and you now understand how stressful this important life event can become. 

Does it have to be that way? Choosing to relocate to a new country should be something that you and your family experience to the fullest. Instead of drowning in anxiety and frustration, missing the joy of life and opportunities, you can adopt a more mindful way to experience this new life. 

Communication is key to that. I have worked with many professionals who have recently relocated. They all claim one of their most urgent priorities is to speak English confidently and naturally (if it is a non-English-speaking country). So they can handle all the new circumstances without stress and unwanted pitfalls while enjoying the new life in a meaningful way.

Here are 5 mindful ways to achieve work-life balance after relocating to a new country, if you are a non-native professional. And why you should prioritize improving your English language skills right away!

5 mindful ways to achieve work-life balance after relocation

1. Research and prepare well in advance

Moving to a new house should be fun, right? Well, in the case of relocation to a new country, city and neighbourhood, it is not that simple. Mostly because all this usually takes place in English and this adds to the complexity. When it comes to housing, be mindful. Accept that you will not find the perfect new house in the perfect neighbourhood. At least at the beginning. Settling in a new place is always different than what you have imagined before going there. And it’s really different than when you visited as a tourist. Research online about the best neighbourhoods for families, ask in online forums for recommendations or talk to local real estate agents and moving companies. Prepare and write down the things you need to ask, in English, so you don’t miss anything important. Don’t hesitate to ask again and again if something is not clear. Most people are kind and will provide assistance without judging you for your English.

2. Talk to your family regularly

Bringing your family to a new place is a huge responsibility for you and a big change for them, to which they may have not subscribed to. Even if they feel happy about it, they too face challenges. Your spouse may need to find a new job and miss their own family and friends. Your kids may find it hard to adapt to the new school and make new friends. Be aware of all these issues, they will most probably come up, sooner or later. Accept them and plan to talk to your family about these issues on a regular basis. Communication is key. Get into their shoes and be empathetic, without judging them. You are all in this together and you need to make it work. Talking about problems and solutions is the best way to go. In many cases, spouses also come from different countries and kids may be bilingual. The language issue adds to the complexity of the situation. So, communicating in English confidently and mindfully can help bridge the gap. A mindful English coach can assist you in expressing your thoughts and emotions effectively and naturally.

3. Talk and ask at work

Taking on a new job is always very exciting, yet demanding. Getting to know and communicating with your new boss and colleagues plays an important role in making the transition smoother. Poor English communication skills, though, can create a huge blockage that hinders communication and may pose a threat to your evaluation. If you can’t get your message across clearly and effectively, people may find you incompetent or hard to work with. There is a way around it. And this is to be brave enough to talk and ask. Don’t let your inner thoughts block you from interacting with others at work. Ask questions to familiarize yourself with the new company, environment, job tasks, procedures and norms. If you don’t understand something, ask again. This is not something to be afraid or ashamed of. Be aware and acknowledge that you will make mistakes in English and it is perfectly OK. People are kinder than you think and some of them may even extend a helping hand. Ask for and find a mentor, too, if this is available.

4. Mingle mindfully

Adapting to the new culture is also important after relocation. It doesn’t mean that you need to change yourself. But adapting to the local laws, social norms and the ways things are done can help you integrate faster. Staying isolated from the local culture can only add to the whole relocation’s frustration. Plus, it makes it really time-consuming to run your errands. The solution to this is to start mingling in a mindful way. Start small, from a short talk with your colleagues or neighbours, and scale it the more comfortable you feel in your new country of residence. Most probably you will find yourself in awkward situations where you may say or do something not appropriate or 100% acceptable or understandable by the locals. No worries. This is natural and the only way to integrate smoothly is by trial and error. Improving your English communication skills can accelerate this integration as you will avoid a lot of uneasy situations.

5. Socialize in a smart way

Finding new friends in a new country can be a real challenge. There are so many factors that determine how successful your socializing efforts will be. From your personality and lifestyle to the local culture and norms. However, this is not why most ex-pats fail .It is the way they try to do it. The key is to socialize smartly. There are three surefire ways to do it: finding hobbies, joining clubs and volunteering. These activities will help you socialize and network. With time, you may make new friends and start building a social circle. The only prerequisite is that you speak English confidently and naturally. Despite the fact that these activities involve other ex-pats (with the same or lower level of English language skills), it is important that you express yourself in a smooth and effortless manner. Finding your authentic voice in English can let your personality shine and become more approachable and likeable. The one thing you should focus on is creating a mindful mindset, to guide how you communicate with new people in a language other than your native one.

You see? Relocation can be a fun thing or at least an experience that you enjoy and navigate mindfully, to achieve work-life balance in your new country of residence. Expats like you have a unique opportunity to shine and realize their dreams. 

You bring in diversity and a fresh new perspective on things. This is how your new boss, colleagues and the locals should see you. And you can do it. You just need to work on your mindset and keep an open mindful communication channel with people, in English.

Here at ProEnglish, this is also my end-goal. To empower non-native highly- skilled professionals like you to claim what they deserve in their career by breaking down the language blockage, in a safe, kind and trustful environment.

I am Vera Daskalaki, your Mindful English Coach. You, being here and reading this, really means a lot to me.

Let me know if anything of the above hit a nerve and feel free to send me any questions. But before anything else, start acting on these 5 ways listed above, today, to make the most out of your brave decision to relocate with your family to a new place.

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