Sometimes, dreams unfold in ways we never anticipated—and that’s perfectly okay.
The question worth reflecting on is this: Are you remaining open to the lessons and opportunities your journey presents, or are you stuck clinging to a rigid idea of how things should be?
I dreamt of living abroad before I turned 30—and I made it happen. I envisioned leading my own project—and I achieved that too. But did these experiences align with the picture I had painted in my mind? Not quite.
Moving to France was a privilege, one I earned through determination and hard work. It has been a transformative adventure, filled with growth and perspective. As I reflect on my journey, I want to share the lessons I’ve learned in the pursuit of living my dreams—a pursuit that has been both humbling and enlightening. One – A picture doesn’t quite paint a thousand words
The idea of moving abroad is often portrayed as a bold, exciting adventure, yet rarely do we talk about the deeper complexities and challenges that come with it.
A 15-second Instagram story, with its filtered highlights, offers just a sliver of the full picture, leaving the true reality of the experience vastly understated. In today’s digital age, we often find ourselves caught in the trap of perfection, carefully curating our lives online while concealing our genuine struggles in the process, all to avoid judgment or vulnerability.
The lesson here is clear: life, and the journey of moving abroad, can’t always be captured in a snapshot or a few carefully chosen words. Sometimes, it’s simply hard. It’s a journey filled with both setbacks and growth, and that’s okay. What matters most is the ability to extend kindness—to ourselves and to others—while embracing the challenges we face. The real essence of moving abroad, like life itself, is not found in the idealized images we often see, but in accepting and learning from the unfiltered, authentic experiences that shape us along the way.
Two - This is what dreams are made of
Hard work, isolation, self-doubt, confusion, and the constant process of rebuilding, time and time again. Not to mention the daunting administrative hurdles, the challenge of finding a support system, and, for some, the language barrier. There were countless nights I found myself overwhelmed with tears, questioning whether I had made the right decision. Yet the answer, as it always was, lay in believing in myself, working diligently, and surrendering to whatever outcome arose.
The truth is, moving abroad alone is incredibly challenging. But despite the difficulties, I wholeheartedly encourage you to take the leap, if it’s a dream you’ve held close. There’s little to lose when you listen to your heart. Of course, there will be setbacks, failures, and detours along the way—but that’s the very essence of a leap of faith, isn’t it? Ultimately, you either succeed or you learn. And as cliché as it sounds, the learning is just as valuable as the success itself.
Three - You’re stronger than you think
Living abroad was a dream I’ve held since childhood. Growing up in challenging circumstances, the mere thought of traveling abroad seemed nearly impossible. As a young adult, my own lack of self-belief and limited mindset kept me from pursuing that dream. I began to lose hope. But life, in its own way, found a way to reignite that spark within me through a serendipitous encounter, and for that, I will always be grateful.
“And, when you want something, all the universe conspires in helping you to achieve it.” – Paulo Coelho
If you had told me 5-10 years ago that I would be living in Toulouse in 2022, I would have laughed in disbelief. Yet here I am, an independent woman, carving out a life in France. I found the strength and resilience to navigate each step of the journey: from the paperwork to securing work opportunities, building a support system, and adjusting to life in a foreign country.
The journey hasn’t been easy, particularly in the long stretch between taking those first steps and finally realizing my dream. The hardest part is always those middle moments—the long, tedious slog of progress. But it’s in those moments of uncertainty and persistence that true growth happens. It’s there, in the spaces between, that I built resilience, patience, and a deeper understanding of myself.
Four – Embracing what is
Uncertainty has always had the power to paralyse me. In the midst of waiting for a response to my visa application, the anxiety and worry have been overwhelming. At this moment, I am unsure of what the future holds. All I can do is surrender to the unknown and trust the process. What I do know, however, is this:
The journey was never solely about moving abroad—it was about the transformation that occurred along the way. It was the lessons learned, the growth experienced, and the resilience built that led me to this point.
As long as I continue to live in alignment with my purpose and intentions, it no longer matters where life leads me. I remain open to whatever this experience has to offer, embracing each step with trust and acceptance.
"It's awesome to have goals and dreams. But what's more important is focusing on the person you become on a consistent basis to create those dreams. And also, being so proud and at peace of who you've become even if the dreams don't come true. There's been a lot of things I've chased after where the dreams didn't come true but the life was a dream come true - who I get to meet, what I got to experience, what I overcame, the lessons I learnt, the memories I created." - Lewis Howes
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