It is easy to get the travel bug when everyone on social media posts photos of fantastic vacation spots. The idea of moving abroad and living as a nomad, moving from one country to the following sounds exciting and utterly glamorous. Still, when it comes to actually taking the step and moving away from your comfort zone, you may find the change more challenging than you expected and you should find ways to deal with the stress of moving abroad.

Moving abroad isn’t always easy, but you shouldn’t give up on your pursuit at the first challenge, especially if you have always dreamed of doing this. Of course, packing your essentials is the obvious route but if you want to cope with the stress of moving abroad, consider the following five tips to make this the best decision of your life.

Bring along home comforts

For those days where loneliness is especially acute, it’s crucial to have a few pieces of home that bring you comfort. This could be anything depending on what brings you joy. For some people, bringing along certain foods or drinks such as a bottle of weller antique is comfortable enough. Others have a special blanket, a specific candle, or a trinket. Try to keep these sentimental things to a limited number. Remember that you have to travel with these things. You can also get your loved ones to send you a few home comforts.

Be patient

The excitement of the first few days living abroad can soon wear off after a couple of days. Once the excitement is gone, self-doubt creeps in. You can find yourself alone and get caught up in your head, overwhelmed by thoughts causing you anxiety. You can start questioning your move. You may feel guilty about leaving your loved ones behind or scared by the fact that you are alone in a new country. It would be best if you refrained from reacting to these thoughts. Instead, choose to be patient.

Time will show you whether you made the right decision or not. It is also with the time that you will get used to your new surroundings. If you have a couple of sleepless nights, trust that you will get accustomed to your surroundings and sleep soundly again. If it is guilt that’s troubling you, acknowledge that feeling guilty will do nothing except make you feel bad and pull you away from the beauty of being present.

Stay in touch with your loved ones

You may feel physically alienated from your loved ones, but luckily, you can stay in touch virtually. Set up group chats on your preferred social channel to keep in touch with your loved ones and stay in the loop. Remember to send messages often and talk about the little things. Don’t wait for something big to happen to get in touch. Converse daily about the simplest things so you can keep your connection intact. Video chatting is essential, especially at the beginning of your journey, when you crave the comfort of a familiar face.

Meet new people

Staying in touch with your loved ones is great, but it is good to meet new people as well. There are several online groups where you can find fellow travelers, such as Meetup.com. Still, don’t rely exclusively on the online world to help you meet new people. Instead, get out of your comfort zone and go outside for daily walks. Talk to the locals and be interested in what they are doing, the food they enjoy, and the places they go to. Only in doing so can you familiarize yourself with the locals and make new friends.

Video reminders

When you set a goal, it’s helpful to have a reminder such as a vision board to get you back on track when you hit a bump in the road. The same can be said when you embark on a life challenge such as moving abroad. In the worst moments, you need a physical reminder that jolts you away from your worries and reminds you why you are doing this in the first place.

So before you move abroad, record a video of yourself, make a list, or take a photo to remind yourself why you have chosen to leave everyone behind and challenge yourself. If it is a physical reminder, stick it somewhere in your apartment where you can remind yourself first thing in the morning. You can also set a reminder on your calendar app to notify you daily.

Being in a foreign territory can be challenging, especially if you move somewhere where the culture is vastly different. Taking precautions, being wary of strangers, and identifying your safety zone are essential to keep yourself abroad safe. Once you take these precautions, then it’s time to let go and immerse yourself in the newness around you. Regardless of how different the culture may be, remember that most people are innately good, and you can always find a kind face even at the edge of the world.