115: If You Don’t Move Abroad: A 5-Year Thought Experiment
What Staying or Going Could Look Like in Five Years
If you don’t move abroad, what does your life look like five years from now?
This post is a simple thought experiment designed to help you gain clarity. You don’t need to make a decision today. Instead, you just need to imagine two possible futures and notice how each one feels.
Most people who move abroad don’t regret trying. However, many people regret never going at all. That quiet regret is what we’re exploring here.
If You Don’t Move Abroad: A 5-Year Thought Experiment
Picture yourself five years in the future. Nothing dramatic happens overnight. Life simply continues, one year at a time.
Now imagine two paths.
One where you stay.
And one where you go.
Let’s look at both.
Future A: You Stay
In this future, nothing is “wrong.” Life keeps moving. You stay busy, and routines feel familiar.
At the same time, certain patterns repeat. You have the same conversations. You think about moving abroad, but not today. Instead, you tell yourself, “Maybe next year.”
Meanwhile, you watch other people change. Some move abroad. Others travel, take risks, or reinvent themselves. You feel happy for them. Even so, a quiet question lingers.
“What if that could have been me?”
Over time, staying can slowly erode confidence. This doesn’t happen because staying is bad. Instead, it happens because the version of you who wanted more never got a chance.
Many people later say the same thing:
“I waited too long.”
Often, the hardest part isn’t what you did. It’s what you never tried.
Future B: You Go
Now imagine the future where you move abroad.
This version isn’t perfect. There is fear. There is paperwork. There are awkward beginnings and moments of doubt.
You might feel lonely at first.
You might live in a bad apartment.
You might struggle with the language or culture.
However, something important happens.
You grow.
As a result, you learn how to trust yourself. You build confidence by doing something hard. Your world expands in ways you couldn’t have planned.
Even if you don’t stay forever, you become someone who knows they can try.
In this future, success doesn’t mean permanence. Instead, success means you went.
The Myth of the “Perfect Time”
Many people delay moving abroad for reasonable reasons.
“I need more money.”
“I need more experience.”
“I’ll do it when life is simpler.”
These thoughts sound responsible. However, they often hide a deeper truth.
The perfect time isn’t real.
Because of this, waiting rarely creates clarity. Instead, waiting usually creates distance between who you are and who you wanted to become.
Regret, on the other hand, is very real.
You Don’t Have to Decide Today
This thought experiment is not about pressure. Instead, it’s about honesty.
Ask yourself one simple question:
Which future scares you more?
The one where you tried and learned something about yourself?
Or the one where you never found out?
Clarity always comes before action. Once you have clarity, decisions feel lighter.
Try This Optional Exercise
If you want to go deeper, pause for a moment.
Imagine yourself five years from now. Then, write a short note from that future version of you.
What do they thank you for?
What do they wish you had done sooner?
Often, this exercise reveals more than logic ever will.
Frequently Asked Questions About Moving Abroad
What happens if you don’t move abroad?
For many people, life stays comfortable, but regret can quietly grow over time when dreams are postponed.
Is it normal to feel scared about moving abroad?
Yes. Fear is common and often part of personal growth.
Is there ever a perfect time to move abroad?
No. Most people eventually realize the perfect time never arrives.
Final Thought
Moving abroad isn’t the right choice for everyone.
However, not choosing anything is still a choice.
You don’t need certainty.
Instead, you need honesty.
Want Help Finding Clarity?
If you’re unsure where you might go, take the free quiz:
Which European City Should You Move To?
It’s a simple place to start.
Ready to Take the Next Step?
If you’re still unsure where you fit best, take the free quiz:
Which European City Should You Move To?
And if you try any of these steps today, send a message and tell me which one you started with.
Before You Decide, Try This First
Before you commit to moving abroad, it really helps to take one intentional trip that clears up a lot of doubts.
👉 Listen to Episode 104: Before You Move Abroad, Take This One Trip First and see why this step can make everything feel more doable.
