Stuck Abroad? Here's How to Stop Waiting and Start Creating Your Next Chapter
- Patricia Abarte
- Jun 14
- 3 min read
Many expats don't feel unhappy enough to leave—but they don't feel fulfilled enough to stay.
If you've ever felt stuck abroad, you're not alone.
You may have a stable job, great friends, and a comfortable life, yet something still feels off. Instead of taking action, you spend months—or even years—thinking about moving, changing careers, or starting over, without making real progress.
The good news? You don't have to wait for everything to change before your life improves.
Listen to the episode here:
Timestamps:
00:00 - Meet Soraya: From Belgium to Spain to Canada
00:43 - Life in Spain: A "7 Out of 10" Existence
02:00 - What Is the "Expat Waiting Room"?
08:21 - Why Soraya Joined the CoPilot Program
10:15 - The Clarity Module That Changed Everything
12:56 - The Big Decision: Moving to Canada
13:32 - Aligning the Move With Her Core Values
15:49 - Handling Doubt and Other People's Opinions
23:20 - Exams, Paperwork, and the Permanent Residency Process
32:02 - Final Advice for Anyone Stuck in the Waiting Room
Why Feeling Stuck Abroad Isn't Really About Location
It's easy to assume your city or country is the problem.
Sometimes it is.
But often, the bigger issue is feeling disconnected from yourself.
Many expats pour all their energy into work or daily responsibilities while putting their own dreams on hold. The result is a cycle of overthinking, frustration, and waiting for life to magically change.
Real progress begins when you stop asking, "Where should I move?" and start asking, "What kind of life do I want to create?"
Stop Waiting for Someone Else to Change Your Life
One of the biggest mindset shifts is recognizing that no one is coming to rescue you.
It's tempting to hope a new job, relationship, or opportunity will suddenly appear and solve everything.
Instead, taking ownership—even through one small action—creates momentum.
Whether that's updating your CV, researching new locations, joining a community, or reconnecting with hobbies you've neglected, every action reminds you that you're in control of your future.
Small Actions Create Big Change
One of the biggest mistakes people make is believing life can only improve after they move.
In reality, your next chapter starts today.
Host a dinner.
Join a sports club.
Build community.
Set healthier boundaries at work.
Reconnect with the version of yourself you've been neglecting.
These seemingly small changes improve your quality of life immediately while building confidence for the bigger decisions ahead.
Your Next Chapter Starts Before You Move
The first step isn't forcing yourself to make a decision.
It's becoming aware of which autopilot is currently driving the decision.
Ask yourself:
Am I overthinking?
Am I waiting for the perfect time?
Am I staying busy to avoid the real question?
Am I focusing only on what could go wrong?
Am I prioritizing everyone else's needs over my own?
Awareness creates choice. Once you recognize the pattern, you can decide whether it still deserves to be in the driver's seat.
This is what I dive into in episode #110of This Expat Life.
Listen here:
If any of these notes resonated with you, and you would like to explore more of yourself, my programs are the right containers for you to accelerate your growth or your next chapter:
Comments