Sometimes people say silly things — including me. We’re only human, after all. In 2009, when I first announced my plans to move to France and teach English, leaving my stable life in NYC behind, people would often respond the same way. I’d hear some variation of, “OMG! You’re so lucky!” seemingly wanting to escape their routine for something new too. I usually responded with a, “Yeahhh, thanks? I’m looking forward to it!” not really knowing what to say. I did know one thing, though — pure luck had nothing to do with me ending up in France.
Are we “lucky” to live abroad?
Let’s start with the concept of luck. Merriam Webster tells us that luck is most commonly thought of as “the things that happen to a person because of chance: the accidental way things happen without being planned.”
When I think of luck, I think of winning the lottery or getting a free coffee because I was the 100th customer of the morning.
These things happen by complete chance and your efforts have very little impact on the outcome.
So what about when people tell me I’m lucky to be living abroad?
Well, it makes me feel weird. There was nothing “lucky” about me making the deliberate choice to pursue a life in France back in 2009 and then taking the necessary steps to make it happen. And then doing it again more permanently in 2011.
But before I continue, let me get this out of the way. I am lucky but not because I live in France. I’m lucky I was born healthy to two parents who wanted me and had the means to take care of me. I’m lucky I was born in a country that affords its citizens freedoms that many people around the world don’t have. I’m lucky to have first world privilege. I’m lucky to have a loving family and group of friends. I’m lucky the timing of my move worked out. I’m lucky to have found Tom and the list goes on…
But am I lucky to be living in France? No. It’s not the right word.
I chose to move to Paris (originally had nothing to do with Tom, I moved the first time for a 7-month teaching contract and you can read more about the backstory here) because it’s what I wanted and I made it happen. I am extremely fortunate that I’m the type of person to set my mind to something and then do it.
I’m also fortunate to have had a job that allowed me to save and the know-how that allowed me to just go for it. As well as a good education and the support of friends and family.
Fortunate seems like a better word.
A former English teaching assistant in France, Courtney, had similar sentiments and wrote this in an old, now-defunct blog post:
“Luck implies that circumstances outside of my control made it possible, and I know that I am in control of my own destiny. I refuse to make excuses or blame the forces of the universe for my circumstances.”
Courtney goes on:
“Making a huge life change takes a little gusto—a passion for living the life that you want and a willingness to sacrifice creature comforts to make it happen. Most importantly, it means making your dreams a priority above all else.”
Amen, sistah. Fortunate is a better way to describe it.
What I’ve come to learn is that, “You’re so lucky,” actually means, “I’m so impressed that you were able to make such a huge life change.”
The people who say this usually want more out of life too. Maybe a change for themselves or their family, and maybe they aren’t sure how to get there or what that change is for them.
For me, that change was moving across the Atlantic, but not all big changes require an actual change of your physical location. Those who tell me I’m lucky place a high value on living abroad. They think of it as something admirable. But it’s not right for everyone. Moving abroad would be the last thing on many people’s priority lists and not something desirable at all and that’s OK.
But we all probably want something out of life that we don’t currently have.
What’s holding you back? What do you want out of your life right now? Think on that for a minute….
If you want something bad enough, you will do what it takes to get there.
No one is going to hold your hand and force you to chase your dreams. That comes from within. Part of being an adult is giving yourself the permission you desire. Say OK to yourself and go for it.
So back to being lucky. I’m not lucky because I moved to France. I just made the decision to quit my job and move abroad.
But before doing that, let me stress that making such a huge life change takes a lot of work. Work that I happily did day in and day out. It takes planning, savings, patience and focus, for starters.
I didn’t just wake up and magically arrive in France on a whim. I am not rich. I work like everyone else. I have bills and a mortgage and many of the same issues we all face. France is NOT a permanent vacation for me. It’s not a short-term thing.
It’s just where I live and there are pros and cons to every place on earth. It’s also my husband’s home and I’m fortunate to be able to live here with him and experience France together as a couple.
So what’s the point of all this?
The point is to get out there and do something for yourself. I am not an advocate for making impulsive decisions or moving to other countries just because it seems cool. Doing something meaningful means something different to all of us.
What impresses me is having the courage to go after what you want in life whatever that may be, and to not always do what others think is right for you. Go after what you feel is right and trust in yourself.
So maybe that means starting a new relationship, business, going to college or graduate school, moving somewhere new, changing careers, taking that new dance class in town that looks like a blast or whatever you want out of life that you don’t currently have.
Don’t think for a second you can’t go after what you really want and make a change for yourself (no matter how big or small). You can and I’m proof.
Go get it!
PIN IT:
So very well said.
Lots of planning, effort, and commitment to make a major life change.
Thanks Alan, my blog just flipped out and ate my comment before I hit reply. Ugh. Will try to rewrite:
I think many people just don’t know what to say and instead of just saying “That’s cool” or “Good for you” they default to using the word “lucky” without really thinking it through. I think luck only gets you so far and to discount our own agency in the matter is selling ourselves short.
I have to repeat myself several times to get people to understand that my life in France is not a 24/7 vacation and that the highs and lows of life are the same here (maybe just more extreme). People sometimes think that living abroad is a fairytale and that’s not the case — that’s vacation, not my life!
I also think that if we do want something bad enough, we will make it happen (you’re proof) as I said in the post. I believe that so much that I’m saying it again! Sometimes people want things but let their excuses get in the way. Sometimes excuses are valid reasons but other times they’re just excuses. And that holds true for anything — a new workout plan, going after a new job, a move to a new town, whatever it is.
Everyone is different and we all want different things, but I’m careful to not call anyone “lucky” for deliberate choices they’ve made to change something in their lives. 😉
Well said!
Thanks Paula!
You said what I was going to say, “Amen, Sistah!” I quit my job in 2004 and moved to Paris for the summer. I could have made it work and stayed there, but I missed my family and friends and the U.S. and just wasn’t that committed to staying there. But, like you said, if you want something, you can make it happen! I know several people who did. It does take courage, and I think a lot of people let fear hold them back, or they’re too tied down with things here, maybe.
Yup, totally understand the commitment part. And there’s nothing wrong with trying something and then moving somewhere else. You were committed enough to come, made it happen, tried it and then moved on. All takes courage! Just like anything — the courage to start a new career or start an exercise program or whatever. Fear really can be crippling but if we break things down into smaller steps, it’s much more manageable. Thanks for sharing your experience!
I agree lucky isn’t the right word many people chose to live in a different country and those who do not chose to do so may not feel lucky at all as they may miss family and such living and working in a different country isn’t for everyone, I have said that I would move to the country to live if all my family came with me as I am very close to my family and we see and talk to each other many times a week
Yup totally depends on one’s perspective and what’s most important to him or her. We all want different things and having family by your side can be a major deciding factor. It’s just not the same via FaceTime!
Good point Diane, and we’ve heard the same from our friends and acquaintances in the US. However, it seems many are afraid to leave their comfort zone. Many have never even traveled out of the US, so they don’t even know what they don’t know. But our move to France took years of planning, preparation, saving, learning, patience & flexibility.
We used to say in the military “Luck occurs when planning & preparation meet opportunity”. And “don’t dream, set a goal and make a plan”. We’re so glad we did.
Hi Terry, love that quote about opportunity — so true! Makes so much sense. I’ve wasted so much time on things that don’t matter to me but when there’s something that does matter, i get right on it with a plan. I completely understand the fear of leaving one’s comfort zone. We all have different thresholds for things in life and for me (and you), moving abroad was something I was willing to try but we’re all different so others might not be so open to an international move. It’s not even appealing to some. But back to your quote, it really does ring true across the board.
Someone I know told me “You are living such a great experience, If I could I would like to do the same” … Everyone can! You just have to try!
Hi Marine, yes and for some people trying is worth it and for others it’s just not something they will actually accomplish. I of course know that life circumstances get in the way — it’s easier to move abroad when you don’t have a bunch of things tying you down at home, but it can still be done. 😉
You are soo right that successful living abroad don`t have nothing in common with luck. Our lifestory is made by different choices. If you choose wisely people usually say it is luck. It is not …at all! It is wisdom or experience… Greetings! Thank you for sharing your article!
Agreed, Michele! I just think people say “lucky” without thinking it through. Not an insult or anything, but not the most accurate way to describe someone’s life choices. I like the word fortunate 😉 Thanks for stopping by!
It is hard to say that people are always feeling that lucky to move abroad. I love to travel and I feel great to live in a foreign country even it is only for a while. Other people move for other reasons and are not always feeling welcome or comfortable abroad . Many people come to Western Europe so they can work for a better salary then in their own country and spend many years working in a country where they don’t feel happy. These are my personal observations! Thanks for sharing this post and let me think about this interesting subject! 🙂
As you know, wholeheartedly agree here! I think people continue to believe that if you live abroad, that you’re just on a perma-vacation. They seem to forget that you have to go to the bank, line up at the grocery store, get gas, work…just in a setting where the language isn’t your mother tongue ahaha.
Yes. People have told me I am “lucky”. Strangely, the harder I work, the luckier I seem to get.