Can You Be Grateful for Your Life and Still Want More?

People who dream about moving abroad often ask the same question: Can You Be Grateful for Your Life and Still Want More? It’s a real dilemma for anyone who appreciates their current life but still feels a pull toward something different. Maybe you want a slower pace, a new environment, or a lifestyle that feels more aligned—even when nothing is “wrong” with the life you have now.

If you’ve ever felt guilty for wanting change, this post will help you understand why that desire shows up and what it might be telling you.

The Guilt We Carry for Wanting More

A lot of people keep this thought to themselves:
“I should be happy. I have a good job, good friends, and a routine… so why do I still want to move abroad?”

Here’s the truth: gratitude and ambition can exist together.
Being thankful for your life doesn’t lock you into it forever.

Maybe you love your hometown but still want to see more of the world.
Maybe you appreciate your job but want a lifestyle that matches your values.
Maybe your days are fine, but you want something that feels more intentional.

Wanting more doesn’t mean you’re ungrateful. It means something inside you is shifting and you’re ready for growth.

Why the “Grass Is Greener” Question Matters

People often say, “The grass isn’t greener over there.”
Sometimes that’s true.
Sometimes it isn’t.

Here’s a clear breakdown.

The grass can be greener when:

• You want a lifestyle change that another country truly offers: slower pace, safer cities, affordable healthcare, or more time off.
• Your values match life abroad more than life in the U.S.
• You crave new experiences, new people, and a broader worldview.
• You feel stuck on autopilot and want your life to feel alive again.

The grass is not greener when:

• You expect a move abroad to fix everything.
• You’re escaping problems instead of choosing a new path.
• You imagine a picture-perfect version of a country.
• You think daily life abroad feels like a full-time vacation.

Living abroad can be incredible, but it’s still real life. Every country has its own challenges, systems, and moments of frustration.

The real question isn’t “Is the grass greener?”
It’s “Which life lines up with who I want to become?”

What Wanting More Actually Means

That pull toward something different usually isn’t random. It often means:

• You’re outgrowing your current environment.
• You want more space for growth.
• You’re ready to prioritize lifestyle over hustle.
• You want meaning, connection, or adventure.
• You want to shape your life on purpose instead of living by default.

When people imagine life in Europe or another country, it’s rarely about cafés or architecture alone.
It’s about freedom—freedom to slow down, to start again, and to create a life that feels like you.

Yes, You’re Allowed to Want More

You’re allowed to want a life that feels calmer, fuller, or more aligned.
You’re allowed to choose a country that supports the lifestyle you want.
You’re allowed to explore your options, even if your current life is fine on paper.

Wanting more doesn’t make you dramatic.
It doesn’t make you irresponsible.
It means you’re listening to your own needs.

And that matters.

So… Is Moving Abroad Worth It?

If the desire keeps returning, it’s worth exploring. You don’t have to commit. You can simply stay curious.

Sometimes that curiosity is a sign of where you’re meant to go next.

If you move abroad, you’ll gain things you can’t predict: confidence, resilience, friendships, new perspectives, and personal growth.
If you stay, you’ll know you made your choice intentionally—not because you felt stuck.

Either way, you deserve a life that feels right for you.

Want a complete roadmap? Listen to Episode 80: How to Move to Another Country From America — A Step-by-Step Guide to Moving to Europe. It walks you through country selection, visas, housing, jobs, and the exact timeline to follow so your move is organized and stress-free.