Let's Talk About the Weather

Let's talk about the weather. Well, here I am living up to the British stereotype, always going on about the weather, but it's an important consideration when planning your potential return home and a life-in-retirement. Weather has an impact on so much of what you do and how you feel – particularly when you've been blessed with a life overseas in sunny climes where outdoor living comes naturally.

Living outdoors is never taken for granted in the UK! Even during the summer months, garden furniture can remain covered and outdoor spaces unused! We're never guaranteed a summer, in the way many other countries seem to be. It's a bit of a lottery, really. One minute you're basking in glorious sunshine, the next you're dashing indoors to escape a sudden downpour. It's all part of the charm, or so we tell ourselves!

I'm the first to admit that I hate European winters. Specifically, UK winters that are cold, dark, and damp. Weather that is simply good for nothing, and lights that need to be on 24/7. I live in total admiration of those who bring out their summer clothes and wear them without hesitation from Easter to Halloween. My own jumpers never seem to be 'put away' and I've developed the art of serious layering, so it doesn't look as though I live permanently in my winter attire. I've become quite the expert at the 'British onion' look – peeling off layers when the sun makes a surprise appearance, only to hastily put them back on when it retreats behind a cloud moments later.

HOWEVER (caps intended!), even I must admit that the weather plays only a supporting role in my UK-based life now. I've found all-weather attire that works for me (and I don't worry if others think I'm overdressed or overly dramatic), and a whole host of other things that make the UK a great place to be living. It's taken some time, but I've learned to embrace the British weather in all its capricious glory. There's something quite satisfying about being prepared for all four seasons in one day!

There will always be positives and negatives in life, no matter where you live. As a peripatetic expat, you've undoubtedly adapted to various cultures, climates and lifestyles over the years, taking the rough with the smooth and focusing on the positives. Why not try the same approach to your return home, and your retirement planning? After all, isn't that what we Brits are famous for – our ability to keep calm and carry on, regardless of what the weather throws at us?

For sure, you'll need more coats and jackets than you've ever owned, once you move back to the UK – but equally, life in the UK offers a wide range of things to do and see, people to meet and activities to enjoy that you have perhaps not had access to in many of the places you've lived. There's something quite cosy about gathering in a cafe on a rainy day, nursing a hot chocolate, and catching up with friends. Or the simple pleasure of a crisp autumn walk, kicking through fallen leaves in a beautiful park or woodland.

So, instead of focusing on the negative aspects of the unpredictability of the British weather, are you able to focus on everything you've missed, and that you might now have access to once more? The changing seasons bring their own unique beauty – from the first snowdrops of spring to the golden hues of autumn. There's the excitement of bonfire night, the magic of a white Christmas (okay, that might be wishful thinking!), and the pure joy of those rare, perfect summer days when the whole country seems to be in a good mood.

Remember, too, that our obsession with the weather is a great conversation starter. You'll never be short of small talk at social gatherings! And there's a certain camaraderie in collectively moaning about the rain or celebrating an unexpected heatwave.

In the end, it's all about perspective. Yes, the British weather can be challenging, but it's also part of what makes our home country so unique. It's shaped our culture, our humour, and our resilience. As you plan your return and your retirement, try to see the weather as just another adventure to embrace. After all, there's no such thing as bad weather, only unsuitable clothing – and you'll soon have a wardrobe full of options for every meteorological possibility!

So, grab your brolly, don your wellies, and get ready to rediscover the joys of life in the UK. Rain or shine, there's always something to look forward to. And who knows? You might just find yourself becoming one of those hardy souls in shorts and t-shirts at the first sign of spring. Stranger things have happened – just check the weather forecast!

About Me

I work with expats to help them overcome anxieties around planning for their life-in-retirement, so it becomes something they eagerly anticipate.

 For a conversation about your retirement planning, and the worries keeping you awake at night, book a 30-minute, no-obligation call with me here