Love Your Expat Life

There are 40 million global families who move to a new place, leave their neighbors, jobs, schools, and communities behind. They have to start all over again.

This is where international organizations need to step up and recreate that sense of a ‘village’ again so that those international children can thrive.

I’m joined by Former Co-founder at Expat Valley and Ombudsman for International Children co-founder, Matthijs de Rave. Together, we will delve into his inspiring vision for international children and what it means to make a real impact for these children.

Matthijs has been a pioneer in ‘thinking outside the box’ and successfully approaching corporate organizations in the mobility sphere. His abundant mindset has been instrumental during his startup journey, so we explore how it shapes his approach and leads to his remarkable achievements.

In this conversation, we cover key topics like:

6:00– The commonalities between international children

7:47– Support system changes for internationally mobile children & where Expat Valley fits in

17:40– How an abundance mindset can help you overcome challenges & how to cultivate one

25:52– Tools and resources for TCK parents

39:58– The future of Expat Valley

This conversation is packed with real life insights and solutions on how we can understand and think creatively about how to better serve internationally mobile children.

And, this goes without saying, one of the key ways you can help your children is to become an example of what is possible. I encourage you to stop waiting for your perfect life to align, but to carefully craft the life you love– no matter the location. If you need help, head to my website to see how I can support you and your family!

Resources mentioned:

• Learn more about Expat Valley on their website
• Episode 79: How to Help TCK Kids Build Resilience & Navigate their Emotions with Lauren Wells
• Episodes 107: Transitions and Changes of a TCK with author, Michael V. Pollock
• Episode 108: Unresolved Grief and How to Overcome It: Part 1 with TCK Expert, Dr. Ruth Van Reken
• Episode 109: Unresolved Grief and How to Overcome It: Part 2 with TCK Expert, Dr. Ruth Van Reken

What is overwhelm, and how do we deal with it? I break it down, and then share a powerful tool to ease the burden and help you sharpen your purpose.

Learn more about:

• Why and how overwhelm happen
• Making decisions during transitions
• Cultivating discipline when there are too many choices
• There’s math, and there’s drama

As always, you’re invited to my website, GirafeCoaching.com, where you can sign up for a monthly newsletter. In addition to finding out about free events within the Girafe Community, you can also download a free workbook to help you through tough times.

What kind of life do you prefer?

Perhaps you're more of a bonsai — you want a life that is orderly, purposeful, and beautiful. Or maybe you're a baobab, wanting a life that is big, messy, a little chaotic, and beautiful? Or you might be a bit of both.

No matter what, be sure you're living the life you choose, the life you design, not the one created for you by circumstance.

In this episode, I talk about how our emotions can limit our choices and cancel our dreams, if we let them. And I give you some tools to help you see your dreams clearly and begin forming the life that suits you best.

Come visit me at girafecoaching.com to find out more about my Unlock Your Full Potential program and other ways to begin living a life you'll love.

Often, people undergo changes when they feel dissatisfied with their current circumstances. In such cases, there's a tendency to hastily seek something different in order to find relief.

However, change is often best when we pursue alignment rather than relief. When we already appreciate the life we have and still nurture a desire for growth, for new experiences beyond our current horizons and are aligned with our reasons, this is when magic happens.

Elizabeth Mina, who has made a dramatic career shift after 17 years in a senior position at a government agency, expands on why she decided to shake her beautiful island life in Hawaii all while being a new wife. Spoiler alert: she wanted alignment.

To me, alignment means that we are in agreement with oneself. There is no tension. What we think, feel, and do are harmonious. This is what I help clients do. Create alignment independently of location and circumstances so that they reap the full benefits of their life abroad.

Mina’s story is inspiring, insightful, and full of valuable lessons that we can all apply in our own lives. Below are some key points we unpack together:

1. The inspiration behind a drastic life change
2. How Mina clarified her vision
3. Navigating risks and uncertainty
4. Career decision obstacles
5. Letting go as a means to succeed

Resources mentioned:

Episode 64: Relaxing & Slowing Down

3 Steps to Clarify What You Truly Want- FREE Challenge

At Girafe coaching I help global nomads make urgent decisions with ease. Be sure to schedule a Decision Accelerator Session here!

Transitions include loss, no matter how big the gains.

Whether you are a Third Culture Kid (TCK) who is saying goodbye to friends, a house, and memories; or an adult global nomad who is changing jobs and colleagues and countries of focus; or a partner who found the home, created a whole life there and needs to do it again in a different place - you will most likely experience a mix of negative and positive emotions.

Certified Life Coach Caroline Giffon helps you understand why feeling negative emotions is optional and how you can understand and change what you feel.

Have a listen and learn to be happier about the big transitions you face as a global nomad. Then visit Caroline's website, Girafe Coaching, to learn more about leading a life you'll love!

Music by Ben Hobbs Voice Actor David S Dear