Let's be honest, nobody was prepared for what we are living globally the last few months. Not even the most wild mastermind would have thought such an extreme plot for a Hollywood movie. Although to be honest scientists had predict it... This Covid-19 or better invisible terrorist, that have made billions of people #Stayhome for weeks! Huge health, physical, and psychological challenges for every age, every nation, every religion and every financial status. A virus that equalized the world, maybe something that happened for the first time ever, since the existence of civilization? No one knew, and lets face it still do not know, how to deal with this. But there is maybe a group of people that are a little bit more trained and resilience on a physiological level at least, than the rest of the world, and these are the Expats*. The world nomads, the people that have to restart their lives in new horizons. The people that have to start from scratch, over and over again. The people that know how is to be isolated, with no friends, with some restrictions, far from loved ones, and yes, who know how is to feel lonely.
This is something that I realized the past few weeks, and by talking to other friends that are Expats, I understood how much easier was for us to adjust to the new normal. Its, because we have learned to live in the microcosms that consists just our family members, for long periods. Although all these travel ban, and restrictions caused a significant problem to many financially and practically at the same time it was an easy compromised for Expats.
Of course there is stress, and fear for this unknown. But changing countries and living in new places every few years has teach us, to go with the flow more easy. Social isolation is part of the plan when you are moving. We know that we will have to have patience, perseverance, and to be ready to face some difficulties. And yes a global pandemic is no way the same like changing a country, but the phycological pressure that came with the stay at home status is. It needed to have the same mentality and attitude towards life. As an Expat you learn the tough way, how is to be far from your family and friends. How is to face difficulties alone. That you can't have exactly what you need, when you needed. You learn how to use technology at the maximum capacity, and appreciate the power it has to shortens distances. Expats also find more easy to comply with what the authorities says, because it is part of their lives anyway as new members of a country or place. I really never thought that my journey will be also a school for this type of extreme situations.
Entering now the 3rd month of social distancing, I see how much all this has changed me. I thought: Why not make all this an opportunity to grow, as a person, as a friend, as a parent, as an employee? I felt almost like a chance came to take an obstacle and make it something positive. To discover new sides of oneself to dream a little bit stronger and maybe actually put this thoughts in practice. To take every day as it is, and make the best of what you have.
I had friends that had to fight with the virus, and their strength and focus to overcome and heal, inspired me so much, that I thought staying home was such a small price to pay.
For us Expats connection and friendships are the biggest gray areas in every new road life brings us. And what a surprise, a virus, broke that wall and suddenly people have never before be so far but so close!
Stay home, stay well, stay connected! And if you happened to have an Expat friend maybe ask for some survival tips ;)
*{A quick definition of what is an Expat, in case you don't know. Expats are the people who live, study, and work, most likely by choice, outside of their native country.}
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