COVID notwithstanding, 20 questions to ask yourself if you find your expat dream is beginning to fade

1. Am I getting enough rest?
2. Am I eating properly?
3. What am I doing for relaxation?
4. Have I an exercise program I enjoy doing?
5. Am I making enough money?
6. Am I managing to save any money or enough money?
7. When was the last time I treated myself to a new haircut?
8. When was the last time I treated myself to some new, and different, clothes?
9. When was the last time I had a good time out with friends?
10. Am I in a relationship that is working for me/us both?
11. When was the last time I had a real holiday?
12. Am I overstretched at work?
13. Am I learning anything new?
14. Am I contributing to the community I find myself in?
15. Am I thinking negatively about this posting now?
16. Can I identify what has changed to make me think this way?
17. Is it me or the situation that has changed?
18. Or is it something that has changed in my home country that is making me feel this way?
19. Do I recognise any change patterns that may be happening, e.g., has this happened to me before, at this time in a posting?
20. Has the unfamiliar become familiar?

Be specific as you answer these questions. If you find yourself glossing over one or two, please revisit, as oftentimes we avoid digging into the details of something we instinctively recognise as potential trouble. Avoidance always warrants a second look, as does an inordinate amount of time spent on one area. The goal here is to elicit truths that you are holding inside that will offer insight into how you now feel you are doing, are getting on, and are progressing or not – and how then to proceed.

There are three broad possible outcomes here. All require action on your part.

• You recognise you are indeed in the right place and you just need a break, time to refresh or a new in-situ challenge to keep you going or address your lagging bank balance, career or libido.
• You recognise that your expat situation has indeed changed around you, and you have not given due diligence to your need to re-adapt or upskill or network differently.
• You recognise that you have changed, and this change takes you beyond the capabilities of your current posting and you need to look for a new challenge in a new environment.