1 Year After Moving Across the World

Just over a year ago my family and I left our friends, family, jobs, house and most of our possessions behind in the US to live in Australia. There were 2 main reasons why moving to Australia seemed like a good idea at the time. First, because we love to explore and travel and this would be a giant exploration and second, to work for this beautiful company R.M. Williams that is a heritage brand that has their own manufacturing which is exactly what I love.  

It took us 6 months to get our things in order back in the US and it took the full 6 months.  Our lifestyle was not ready to move across the world. We sold all the big items – cars, boat, camper, tools, etc. Anything that did not seem like it would be necessary to have in Australia or that it would be more costly to move it then to re-buy it. It took about 4 purge rounds to feel like we were in a good spot and looking back now, we should have done rounds 5 & 6. What a great feeling it was to shed all the things that we all say one day we’ll get through but never do. When in doubt, throw it out

We left on January 3, 2023, fresh snow was on the ground and it was COLD! We had 3 suitcases per person which was the extent of our personal stuff until the container arrived in Adeliade six months later.

Looking back on the photos although we were smiling in them- we were exhausted from all the effort it took to get to this point and very uncertain about whether it was all going to be worth it. Our oldest daughter, Brooke who was 16 at the time, was struggling hard with the move. She was in a good place back home and had a vision of her life over the next few years.    

Which I smashed to pieces.     

It was the hardest part about the move. To look at my child, whom I’d do anything for their happiness, and cause them pain. The guilt, the uncertainty, the anguish was so hard to take that many times I thought about backing out.

              But we pressed on.

Because to say no would have yielded more regret and more “we wish we would have taken the chance”.

              And thank goodness we stayed the course. It has been the most rewarding year.

Travelling to places I would never have dreamed we’d get the chance to go to. Snorkelling the Great Barrier Reef, the Sydney Opera House a frequent stop, Tasmania, New Zealand, Bali. All within our reach. We live on the beach in Adelaide, which has been so fulfilling. To see the sunset over the ocean every single evening and stand-up paddle board with the dolphins that we watch regularly. It is a dream to be able to live in such a place.

I never grew up with a clear picture of what the Australian lifestyle was. It just seemed exotic. With Steve Irwin as my only mental image of what was here. It was grossly over simplified because what I found was so much more than Steve could have articulated. The best way I have internalized it is that Australia is relaxed glamour. So naturally beautiful but effortless to go with it. And the people are just the same.

Most things close down by 5-6pm in order for people to have a life outside shopping. So annoying at first but now I love it. All sports are played into adulthood unlike the US model that once you leave school your sports days are likely over. The love of outdoors is key, so many parks, caravan parks, hikes and beaches! The weather is fabulous and the ability to go outside every day of the year is life changing. Food is so much better. With a very low number of chain restaurants and high number of small neighbourhood cafés, it yields a fabulous array of unique options.

I do not miss the US. Haven’t yet. And I am grateful that I am not there this year to witness the political system nightmare that is without a doubt happening. Dodged that bullet! And speaking of bullets; it has been very comforting to know that you can be anywhere in Australia and not have in the back of your mind “if a mass gunman came in here, what would I do?’’. A land without guns brings such a sense of calm that I did not predict.

And as for my daughter, Brooke, her evolution has been such a gift. I am so proud of her for creating a new life here. She is very happy, has found new friends, and sees herself in Australia now and in the future. Her younger siblings had their own journeys through the pain of saying good-bye to the rebuilding of friendships and figuring out all the new ways. They are all in a very good place a year later.

So, I think we’ll stay …

P.S. if you ever get a chance to move outside your country, please do not hesitate to take the leap!