I agree that using a Substack to bash a new home isn’t helpful. On the other hand, many writers are here just trying to sort things out for themselves. The writing itself is a way of putting our thoughts out for ourselves to see. I’ve read the articles and writers you’re talking about. Some are clearly culture shock that someone didn’t fully appreciate going in. Others, I’d be willing to bet, are using writing to adapt. They’ll sound unappreciative but they’re just doing what they know how to do to get through it, and it takes courage to put it out there.
If we find a space in Europe with the markets and walking that I crave, you can bet I’ll use this space to work out the moments when I worry I made a mistake.
But I think the problem isn't with individuals as much as it with the collective environment all of these individuals combine to produce. I feel like I go out of my way to make that point.
And, amid that environment, there are loads of flat out falsehoods and misperceptions created that actually ends up making things more difficult for people like yourself who might want to move one day.
Heck, even I arrived with fear over bureaucracy and such because of what I read beforehand. It's hard to avoid the echo chamber and not be impacted by it. So I see a needed role in saying a lot of that stuff is bullshit and not helpful. And I'm calling it out because my experience has been, almost across the board, the complete opposite. In part because I knew what I wanted and what to expect and because I've lived most of life in places many Americans brand as inconvenient because they've been sold a product called suburbia and rarely, if ever truly question it.
I get it. That's the worst thing about goals. Your timeline makes real that you'll be older (when you're already sort of, basically old) when you reach them.
I agree that using a Substack to bash a new home isn’t helpful. On the other hand, many writers are here just trying to sort things out for themselves. The writing itself is a way of putting our thoughts out for ourselves to see. I’ve read the articles and writers you’re talking about. Some are clearly culture shock that someone didn’t fully appreciate going in. Others, I’d be willing to bet, are using writing to adapt. They’ll sound unappreciative but they’re just doing what they know how to do to get through it, and it takes courage to put it out there.
If we find a space in Europe with the markets and walking that I crave, you can bet I’ll use this space to work out the moments when I worry I made a mistake.
Point well taken.
But I think the problem isn't with individuals as much as it with the collective environment all of these individuals combine to produce. I feel like I go out of my way to make that point.
And, amid that environment, there are loads of flat out falsehoods and misperceptions created that actually ends up making things more difficult for people like yourself who might want to move one day.
Heck, even I arrived with fear over bureaucracy and such because of what I read beforehand. It's hard to avoid the echo chamber and not be impacted by it. So I see a needed role in saying a lot of that stuff is bullshit and not helpful. And I'm calling it out because my experience has been, almost across the board, the complete opposite. In part because I knew what I wanted and what to expect and because I've lived most of life in places many Americans brand as inconvenient because they've been sold a product called suburbia and rarely, if ever truly question it.
100%. I want to understand the different experiences so that, should we seize an opportunity, we go in eyes wide open.
And no freakin joke about the echo chamber. 😂
I agree.
I took what you said to heart. I appreciate it, and how you presented it.
So much so I'm writing something to address it probably for Saturday.
I'm in zero hurry to get older (or have my youngest move out), but I also can't wait to downsize into a smaller place.
I get it. That's the worst thing about goals. Your timeline makes real that you'll be older (when you're already sort of, basically old) when you reach them.
So weird how fast that whole conception changes.