Allow yourself some time to relax and to get your energy and strenght back. When you’re energized you can share your inner power with people.
Find out what actually gives you those fun and much needed sparkles of energy. Make a list! Pin it to your laptop, refrigerator or why not post on Pinterest? Perhaps you can inspire someone else?
Use the list as a reminder. Do things off the list regularly! It can be anything from dancing to walking or listening to music.
How long is your list?
YOU are a top priority. Don’t forget that.
I’m not saying your kids are not but think about it; how can you assist and care for others if you don’t take good care of yourself? We all know what to do in case of sudden oxygen pressure drop in an aircraft, don’t we? If you’re an expat you have heard the drill innumerable times by now. Well, same goes for being on the ground. Make sure you get some Me-time once in a while. Create Me-time to make things that make you feel really good. A dinner out with a friend, or half an hour to yourself in a nice relaxing bath with a magazine (door locked to prevent kids from entering).
My advice to you is to schedule the Me-time since
– you have something to look forward too
– it is much more likely to happen if it’s planned.
– your family is part of the plans for your time alone
– it’s easier to make it regular
What’s your Me-time favorite pass time?
When I moved to Zurich I had made a few contacts in advance (thank you dear Internet). Nothing that lasted though. I knew I needed to make contact with people, to find friends but also information. On location I called a woman mentioned in a resource for expats-book just to ask where I could find playgrounds. I called my relocation agent and asked where I could find a super market – don’t know why she found that a strange question; how would I know?? I called moms that I had met only once at Gymboree or at the Swedish church. Some of them are still dear friends. I joined playgroups and applied (yes that’s right – applied) for membership in a Swedish one. I spoke to people everywhere; mostly expatriates due to the initial language barrier. I hungered for contacts, new friends, acquaintances. I still think it is a shame that my husband’s company did not provide any of this. A coffee morning was promised but nothing happened. Such an easy thing to do.
I joined the WAC in Uster where I came to spend a lot of my time; not only enrolling kids in the pre school but also on my own with new friends, or at family activities with the growing family. Not to mention working with finances and new arrivals. It’s such a wonderful place if you want to find activities and friends. One relocation agent called us a “lifesaver” for expat women.
Once we had a moms’ disco. I swear. Just us moms who wanted some time on our own but were to tired or too attached to a nursing schedule to be able to make it downtown to a real club late at night. We had a blast. Luckily this was before Vine and Instagram. 😉
We were all home by 10 pm by the way.
Networking is important, especially if you move – abroad or within a country. As an accompanying spouse you need to get new friends, contacts and information. This is not the time to be shy or to procrastinate. On the contrary, a little bit of aggressiveness can be useful – in a nice way.
These days we have the Internet to search for playgroups, women’s clubs and activities. There are online forums to find potential friends and advice. Make contact! Call! Visit! It doesn’t always work out but it might lead to something else. If there is nothing organized try to set something up as soon as you bump in to someone in a similar situation! Coffee morning, museum group, book club or toddler time are good examples!
Today is an important day to Swedish book lovers. Although the significance is less since the beginning of online shopping, it is still a day to look forward to for many people. Today marks the start of the annual book sale. According to tradition many book stores open early, sometimes even just past midnight. It’s the “Black Friday” of Sweden. This annual sale is important to the book business, and it’s not only going on in book stores but in general in every store that carries books – even online.
If you are learning Swedish you have a chance of picking up a thesaurus or a Swedish vocabulary book. A good idea is to get a Swedish cookbook or children’s books; even if you don’t have kids! They are great for practicing a language.
I think I am going to get my hands on “Snacka snyggt – modern retorik” by Elaine Eksvärd – a book about speaking, or more probably about listening! Bokus
Another book I will take a look at is “Swedish christmas”; in English, 75 kr at Bokus. Recipes, traditions and tips, photos and inspiration – perfect if you are new to Sweden or as a gift to Swedes abroad.
Any recommendations for books to buy?
20% of all people immigrating to Sweden during 2012 were repatriates (source SCB Befolkningsstatistik 2012). Repatriation is usually not planned for as much as is expatriation. But returning to a passport country can often be even harder than leaving it. Not expecting it to be difficult – after all you are going home – can be a great cause. Also, the people that stayed behind expect you to fit in immediately and be familiar with everything. This means you might not get the help and understanding you could have had use for. Things change and you have probably changed too.
When I returned to Sweden I had some reentry assistance. I was then told that within a few years of repatriation a majority of the people either expatriate again, divorce or leave the employer that invested in sending them abroad in the first place. What a waste of globally experienced work force! I´m pretty sure that with acknowledgement and adequate support on coming home; as well as when going away; this figure can be lowered.
If you are thinking of returning, or know someone who is, at least find out what to expect. It is good to make an informed decision and easier if you are prepared.
What can be more perfect for a lazy Sunday than a brunch?
Having it at a restaurant, and on the spur of the moment inviting good friends to come along makes it even more enjoyable. This was actually the second time I spontaneously invited someone over or to come along in just a few days and it worked well with everyone’s normally busy schedules.
There is usually something for everyone; every taste bud and every age. Fruit salad, burgers and cheddar cheese, hash browns, salmon sandwiches, pancakes with maple syrup, toast, Caesar salad, bagels, cake, virgin Marys, melon, chicken, egg & bacon, vegetables and PB & J sandwiches. It doesn’t end there but you get the hang of it.
We visited the American brunch at Hotell Liseberg Heden, Gothenburg; “Brunch Americain”. Good selection, friendly staff and affordable prices, especially for children. The marshmallows and chocolate sauce was a hit at our table …
Oh, it did mean I had to cancel my scheduled zumba. Sometimes you just can’t have it all.
The word inspire comes from the Latin word inspirare. It literally means “to blow in”.
I think it is a wonderful way to understand the word,
to truly think of what inspiration means to us;
how important it is.
Think about:
What is inspiration to you?
Where do you find it?
How do you use it?
In Swedish inspire is inspirera, and inspiration is simply inspiration!
Moving to another part of the world can be exciting! It can also hold some frustration. When you experience a new culture – a good advice is to just take it all in. Try to leave interpretation and judgment behind for a while, until you learn more about the rules, norms and values. It will save you some emotional rides. I know it sounds easier said than done, but from the top of my head I can think of situations where I have felt indignation and later learnt that there was no such intent behind. It was just a matter of cultural difference.
This is not only valid for expatriation but for all encounters with a, to us, new culture.
