Why I keep moving countries (and most don't)

Many of my friends think I'm crazy for having lived in more than 7 countries in the last decade.

Vietnam. Japan. Thailand. Georgia. Estonia. England. Bulgaria. Poland.

I know, right? What a baller.

People assume I'm chasing a hedonistic lifestyle or running from something.

Neither is true.

I move because new places give me creative space. I am drawn to fresh, novel surroundings, which, in turn, give my ideas freshness.

I also need to not be living in countries where I no longer feel free, like the UK.

My work needs that freedom for my creative energy.

Many want to do this, but they never do. They tell themselves it's logistics. Visas. Family ties. Money. Jobs.

Lots and lots of great reasons.

But when you dig deeper and really talk to them, I've noticed it's almost always two things: worrying what others will think, and the fear of being lonely.

'What will my family say if I leave?'

'What if people think I'm flaky?'

'What if I'm alone and miserable?'

These thoughts trap more people than any practical barrier ever could.

I felt this in Vietnam. I'd fallen in love with the place but wasn't making enough to stay.

I saw an American coach living the exact life I wanted. He was working with great people, affording adventure, completely free.

So I hired him. He taught me the fundamentals of getting clients, allowing me to live there longer.

My family back home didn't fully understand. Some friends thought I was avoiding 'real life.' But I knew I needed to at least figure out how to live abroad, if and when I wanted to.

I can still visit my family. I can still support them. But if I sacrifice my creative energy to stay put because it's expected, I become useless to everyone, including myself.

Most people spend their lives managing other people's expectations instead of honouring what fuels them.

The freedom to move or make any bold choice in life doesn't come from being completely unattached to people.

It comes from internal confidence, not external validation.

Learning to detach from needing other people's approval got me the creative freedom I needed.

By the way, if you're tired of letting others' opinions dictate your choices, I made something for you.

Let Go of the S#it That Weakens You is a guided course that helps you stop worrying about judgment and start living boldly (without being a dick).

You'll learn how to question the beliefs that keep you stuck, care far less about what others think, and make decisions from genuine confidence.

Buy the course here.

“This course helped me see more clearly the ways I limit myself, allow old patterns to just drop away, and ultimately step into clarity, authenticity and strength. Alex has a way of crystallizing truth and wisdom in a way that is so clear.” - Robin Klingler

Much love,

Alex