How living abroad rewires your brain.

Thinking about moving abroad? Already living overseas and wondering why everything feels… harder than expected? This video explores the hidden psychological impact of living abroad and why feeling foreign might be the key to deep personal growth. Based on 20 years of living in Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands and travelling to over 100 countries, I share what science says about how living abroad rewires your brain and what that means for identity, adaptability, and decision-making. (Spoiler: the discomfort isn’t just normal, it’s necessary). Recommended if you are: ?? planning a move abroad, ?? currently adjusting to life in a new country, ?? curious about how environment shapes identity, Chapters: 0:00 Why living abroad is hard 0:52 Feeling foreign has surprising benefits 2:40 Self concept clarity 3:41 Cultural frame switching 4:23 Emotional and existential displacement 5:01 Write your own story The closing music is by DG Solaris: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2bALPWYTm0Bcvm6ALFVrUG?si=pxE5GNNARXCZJvEOKhOckA Editing by Tiago Pöx. Studies and sources: Hajo, Obodaru, Lu, Maddux, Galinsky (2018). Benet & Haritatos (2005). Third Culture Kids, by Van Reken and Pollack. * Every fortnight I publish Theory of Change, which offers a different way to see your work and your life, from productivity to purpose, fundraising to friendship, strategy to self. 1,000+ leaders, creators, and social entrepreneurs read it. Most say the same thing: I've never felt more seen.. https://www.evenlydistributed.co You can sign up for occasional updates and behind-the-scenes insights from my studio here. https://www.infinitecontent.org My music can be found under the name Preslav Literary School here: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2i5ykOuXu6SytWoJw7MFJY?si=Db_A-P8YSmW-btjl43P4Nw And, if you found this video valuable, you can tip me! Every bit of support gives me more space to coach, write, film, and make music - and to keep sharing it freely. https://ko-fi.com/evenlydistributed Thanks for being here. * #multipotentialite #multipassionate #multihyphenate