First off, when you live in different places, you're constantly being exposed to new ideas, new cultures, and new ways of doing things. It forces you out of your bubble. Whether you realize it or not, your brain starts making these connections between the familiar and the unfamiliar, and you become moreadaptable as a result. You learn to navigate new systems, new social cues, even new ways of thinking. You’re stretching yourself to feel comfortable in a new place and new situation.
And another huge part of living or traveling in a new place? Meeting new people.When you start conversations with people from different backgrounds andcultures, it’s humbling. You realize how vast the world is and how many incredible people there are, each with their own unique life stories and perspectives. It makes you think, "Wow, there's so much I don’tknow." You stop assuming that your way of living or thinking is the only way, or even the best way. You meet people who have overcome challenges, pursued dreams in completely different environments, or simply lived lives that you never would have imagined. And that changes you.
Naturally,you just want to learn from them, to soak up their wisdom and experiences,become a better version of yourself. The more you talk to people who have livedin different places, the more you appreciate the diversity of human experience.
You also pick up little things along the way, like conversation skills. Livingabroad or in different cities teaches you how to break the ice, how to engagein small talk, and how to genuinely connect with someone new.
I’velearned to ask questions like, “What brought you to Canada?” or “Tell me moreabout your story.” These kinds of questions open the door to deeperconversations and connections. And when you’re truly interested in someone’slife, they sense that, and the conversation becomes so much more meaningful.
Now let’s talk about people who are obsessed with staying put. Why do people who’venever moved tend to be more stubborn, inflexible, or even self-centered? Well, when you’re surrounded by the same people, the same ideas, and the same routines year after year, it’s easy to believe that your way of life is the best. You start to think, “This is how things should be,” without ever questioningwhether there might be other ways to approach life.
In a sense, people who stay in one place too long often stop being curious about the outside world. It’s not that they’re bad people, they just don’t have any reference. For them, the idea that there could be different, maybe even better ways to live, work, or socialize is almost foreign. They become protective of their routines and their belief systems because it’s all they know. And when something challenges that, it’s easier to ignore, dismiss it than to engage with it.
Take my husband’s cuadrilla, for example. They’ve lived in Bilbao their whole lives.They have their routines, their inside jokes, and their way of doing things. So,when we talk about Canada, or the differences in culture or lifestyle, it’slike talking about something not part of their world, so why should they care?But here’s the thing, it’s not that they don’t care because they’re rude oruninterested. It’s because they’ve never had to confront the idea that theirway of life isn’t universal. It’s never been challenged, so why would they becurious?
Living abroad or moving around gives you something invaluable/ priceless: perspective.It teaches you that the way you were raised, or the way you’ve always done things, is not the only way. You start to see the strengths and weaknesses indifferent cultures, different societies, and different ways of living. And that makes you less judgmental and more understanding of other people.
Another thing I would like to mention here, we need to keep in mind that personal growth happens when you’re uncomfortable. When you’re pushed out of your comfort zone and forced to adapt. That’s when you learn the most about yourself and the world around you. If you never leave your comfort zone, you never really have to grow.
And here’s the thing, if you don’t have the resources (AKA money) to travel or move to another country right now, it doesn’t mean you can’t experience growth.Getting out of your comfort zone doesn’t always have to be physically changing locations. It can be about pushing yourself out of your bubble.
You can start by trying new things, even in your own city or town. Maybe it’s about exploring a different neighborhood, trying a new type of cuisine, or striking up a conversation with someone you wouldn’t normally talk to. You’d be surprised how much just trying something new can change your perspective. It could be as simple as taking up a new hobby, signing up for a class that pushesyou out of your usual interests, or even just reading books or watching films from cultures different from your own.