What Happens After You Quit Everything and Move Away?
By Aulla Elhassan
So many of us dream of moving away. We think that if we just had the opportunity to have a fresh start, to put some distance between ourselves and everything else, then all our problems will naturally work themselves out. But is it that simple? Last month, I officially moved to Egypt. Having lived in Washington state my entire life, it was a tumultuous transition to say the least.
I wasn’t prepared for the homesickness. Once the initial excitement subsides, you’ll find yourself longing for familiarity. Your favorite coffee shop. Your friends are a five-minute drive away. You may even begin to experience relocation depression.
I don’t want to negate the fact that changing your environment can be incredibly beneficial. Being removed from your triggers, from the people and experiences that nearly destroyed you, can give you some peace of mind. But that peace is fleeting– it’s only possible to find lasting peace if you are transparent with yourself about what it is you are hoping to gain from changing your environment.
If you’re simply running away from a place that you associate with bad memories–or worse, if you’re running away from yourself–you will not find the outcome you’re looking for. Distance may help, but the only way to genuinely heal is to deal with your feelings head on.
What do I mean by doing the inner work? Taking a hard look at your habits, mindsets, and self-talk. Learning to rewire your unconscious mind to match your outward intentions, be mindful of what you give your energy to, and let go of painful memories.
True inner peace comes from teaching yourself how to be happy no matter where you are in the world. Even if it’s where you grew up. Even if it’s somewhere you once felt so much pain. You need to do the inner work so you don’t rely on external circumstances to make you feel whole.
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