Traveling and Living Abroad for Families
My Reasons for Moving Abroad
Why did you move to Uruguay? This is a question that at times has seemed simple and obvious to me and at others (especially after having done it) has left me with my mouth gaping open wondering what to say.
Tonight, these are my reasons:
For newness - I suppose it's human nature to settle down into a routine. It seems to come so easily! There's nothing directly wrong with a routine--being comfortable isn't bad, but how long does it take before comfort dwindles into stagnation? Newness is fleeting. It's something that I want because I know it keeps me from stagnation and not only that, newness is exciting, but I am afraid of it and naturally, subconsciouslly even, I avoid it. Moving to Uruguay offered so much of newness, so quickly and in a way that was just intimidating enough to make it grand and worth it but safe enough for me to actually do it. Now, most of the newness has worn off, but the memories of it are fresh and the satisfaction of having passed through it is tangible.
To slow down - This is specific to where we moved. Some might like to move to speed life up (sometimes I do too), but what I craved was a good slowing down. My life wasn't entirely too hectic before but as always happens when in one place for a long time my schedule became full of meetings, meet-ups, chores and errands and traditions. These healthy activities were replaced in Montevideo with long, long nights by the fire reading with my beautiful wife and son. Long evenings sitting around a resaurant table getting to know new friends. Long walks and long thoughts. For now, slow is perfect.
For a change from the routine - This reason for moving is similar to seeking newness, but differs in that the change from the routine was not to avoid stagnation as much as to find additional experiences to weave together into new, creative ideas. A change from the routine just means creating a new routine, and why not? There is beauty in routine. Whereas before I enjoyed my 20 minute commute because it afforded me a chance to listen to a chunk of an audiobook I could then ponder during the rest of the day, I now enjoy drinking Yerba Mate as I work; exploring the new flavors and textures found in that ritual. These are examples of the simple beautys that all routines have. Moving here enabled me to experience and relish more of them.
To turn 30 - When I was 20 I had been in Mexico for almost a year. Turning 30 seemed to deserve a similar celebration of culture. Actually, that's a romanticized verison of it. The real reason has more to do with fear. Turn 30 sitting in a cubicle in Virginia? Mortifying. Leaving official youngness (at least in my mind) was much easier in the Wintertime far, far south of the border. It was a celebration of living rather than a step towards death.
I could list more - but for tonight, in my rather reflective mood, these are my reasons
Tonight, these are my reasons:
For newness - I suppose it's human nature to settle down into a routine. It seems to come so easily! There's nothing directly wrong with a routine--being comfortable isn't bad, but how long does it take before comfort dwindles into stagnation? Newness is fleeting. It's something that I want because I know it keeps me from stagnation and not only that, newness is exciting, but I am afraid of it and naturally, subconsciouslly even, I avoid it. Moving to Uruguay offered so much of newness, so quickly and in a way that was just intimidating enough to make it grand and worth it but safe enough for me to actually do it. Now, most of the newness has worn off, but the memories of it are fresh and the satisfaction of having passed through it is tangible.
To slow down - This is specific to where we moved. Some might like to move to speed life up (sometimes I do too), but what I craved was a good slowing down. My life wasn't entirely too hectic before but as always happens when in one place for a long time my schedule became full of meetings, meet-ups, chores and errands and traditions. These healthy activities were replaced in Montevideo with long, long nights by the fire reading with my beautiful wife and son. Long evenings sitting around a resaurant table getting to know new friends. Long walks and long thoughts. For now, slow is perfect.
For a change from the routine - This reason for moving is similar to seeking newness, but differs in that the change from the routine was not to avoid stagnation as much as to find additional experiences to weave together into new, creative ideas. A change from the routine just means creating a new routine, and why not? There is beauty in routine. Whereas before I enjoyed my 20 minute commute because it afforded me a chance to listen to a chunk of an audiobook I could then ponder during the rest of the day, I now enjoy drinking Yerba Mate as I work; exploring the new flavors and textures found in that ritual. These are examples of the simple beautys that all routines have. Moving here enabled me to experience and relish more of them.
To turn 30 - When I was 20 I had been in Mexico for almost a year. Turning 30 seemed to deserve a similar celebration of culture. Actually, that's a romanticized verison of it. The real reason has more to do with fear. Turn 30 sitting in a cubicle in Virginia? Mortifying. Leaving official youngness (at least in my mind) was much easier in the Wintertime far, far south of the border. It was a celebration of living rather than a step towards death.
I could list more - but for tonight, in my rather reflective mood, these are my reasons
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