Navigate through the unique highs and lows of expat life as we explore the PERMA model, self-redefinition, and cultivating resilience. Discover actionable insights to not only survive but thrive with joy and purpose amidst new cultures and environments. Your pathway to genuine happiness and belonging in foreign lands awaits!
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Happiness: A Universal Endeavor
In the profound words of Aristotle, “Happiness is the meaning and the purpose of life, the whole aim and end of human existence.” But what becomes of this pursuit when you find yourself nestled in unfamiliar territory, navigating through the complexities of a life abroad? The episode addresses this by highlighting common challenges, such as a loss of identity, insecurity about personal strengths and skills, and a lack of belonging, which many internationals encounter.
Tackling Unhappiness Head-on: A Focus on Self-Awareness
An initial step towards elevating your well-being abroad is to tap into exploration and self-awareness. Beyond societal labels and roles, a comprehensive understanding of ‘who you are’ provides a solid foundation, becoming your intrinsic identity anchor amidst the sea of new experiences abroad. Embracing a clear vision of your future can also serve as your navigational compass, providing direction and diminishing feelings of being lost or directionless.
The Blueprint to Well-Being: Introducing the PERMA Model
Developed by Martin Seligman, a pioneer in Positive Psychology, the PERMA model provides a strategic framework for enhancing well-being and happiness by emphasizing five crucial elements: Positive Emotion, Engagement, Relationships, Meaning, and Accomplishment.
- Positive Emotion: Involves cultivating and savoring positive feelings and emotions, such as joy and gratitude. An actionable tip involves maintaining a list of activities that spark joy, ready to be tapped into during gloomier moments.
- Engagement: Encourages full absorption in activities that enable a state of ‘flow’, facilitated by recognizing and channeling your personal strengths and passions.
- Relationships: Underscores the importance of nurturing social connections and positive relationships, often a challenging yet rewarding aspect of life abroad. Initiating self-awareness about your interests can guide you towards meeting like-minded individuals in your new locale.
Looking for new connections abroad? The 2 platforms Meetup and Internations are great starting points to find people with shared interests. - Meaning: Entails connecting to something larger, providing a sense of purpose or meaning in life. This could manifest through various channels, such as community involvement, spiritual practices, or deriving purpose from personal endeavors.
- Accomplishment: Encompasses the pursuit of goals, overcoming challenges, and celebrating successes, culminating in a sense of achievement.
Navigating Through Your Happiness Journey
The PERMA model, while robust, serves as a flexible framework, recognizing that paths to well-being are as varied as individuals. Personal exploration and the motivation to experiment with different approaches are pivotal to discovering what resonates with you on your journey to happiness abroad.
Connect and Explore Deeper Insights
Has the exploration of the PERMA model sparked insights or led to questions about enhancing your happiness abroad? Reach out at podcast@behappyabroad.com and let’s navigate through this intricate tapestry together, helping you to find fulfillment, ease, and well-being on your international adventure.
What were your key insights from this episode?
Please share in the comments below and let’s start an important conversation about increased happiness abroad.
