I’m not really sure how to start this because it’s all a little foreign to me (pun intended). I’m usually the first person to take action and the last to claim credit or toot my own horn, but I’m working on changing that. I’ve always been my harshest critic, which I’m sure many of you can relate to, but lately, I’ve been trying to understand and acknowledge it more deeply.
The Tall Poppy Syndrome and Why We’re Leaving
Living in Melbourne, I’ve talked before about how “tall poppy syndrome” runs rampant here. It’s like it’s not okay to want to succeed, and support is scarce or superficial at best. People stick to their cliques, and the true meaning of community feels lost because it’s more common to sit back and judge those who are actually giving things a go. This has been one of the major reasons we’ve decided to pack up and start a new life in Spain. We wanted a change—a real, tangible shift in how we live and connect with the people around us.
Finding Community in “Move to Spain”
A few months ago, I joined a Facebook group called “Move to Spain” and reached out to one of the admins to see if I could share our blog with the community. Within three days, I was on a call with John, the man behind the group, and it was surreal. Here’s this guy managing a group with over 200,000 members, giving little old me the time of day, and not just approving my request to share but inviting me to be a guest on his podcast. It was a moment that felt so out of the ordinary for me—like a little sign from the universe that maybe, just maybe, our move to Spain was the right decision.
Recording the Podcast, A Sign of Things to Come
Last Thursday, I got on the podcast, and it was just a genuinely nice conversation. It wasn’t just about sharing our story; it was about connecting with someone who gets it. If you’ve ever felt stuck and like a new place might be the answer to all your problems, that’s exactly where we’ve been for a while. Talking to John felt like a breath of fresh air, a little bit of validation that we weren’t just making a leap into the void. It’s not often you get that kind of open welcome from someone, especially when you’re still on the other side of the world.
An Outpouring of Support...
Sharing our blog with the group has been another level of amazing. The response has been overwhelming in the best way possible. So many of you reached out with your own stories, questions, and words of encouragement. It’s been a rollercoaster of emotions, and I have to admit, I’m tearing up just writing this because it’s a feeling I haven’t experienced in a long time. It’s like being welcomed into a community that actually wants to know you.
So, my theory, based on what I’ve heard and experienced so far, is that if you want to make friends in Spain, your best bet is to integrate as much as possible and be active, just like us—even before you get there. Be open to meeting new people and don’t be afraid to start building connections online. You might not be having deep conversations with the locals just yet, especially if you don’t speak the language fluently, but like in many European countries, you’ll find other immigrants and expats who’ve walked the path before you. These are the people who will likely give you their time, support, and friendship.
I can’t help but think back to when I used to run women’s circles in Melbourne and all the expats who would come through the doors, feeling isolated and disconnected. It’s been a real fear of ours that we might feel the same when we move, but so far, Spain has proven that fear wrong. Everyone I’ve talked to reassures me that in Spain, if you show up and make the effort, you’ll be embraced in return. It’s something I’ve already felt from so many of you, and it’s been an incredible reminder of why we’re doing this.
Looking Ahead: Sharing More of Our Journey
We’ve decided to clear out all our videos from our YouTube channel because we want to dedicate it entirely to documenting our move to Spain. So yes, videos are definitely coming soon, but for now, there’s nothing up there just yet. We’d love for you to join us on this journey, though, so if you’re interested, click below to subscribe, and you’ll be the first to know when we start uploading new content!
I’m also toying with the idea of creating a section on the blog dedicated to expat stories, so let me know what you think of that.
Would you like to see a section on our blog dedicated to sharing stories from fellow travellers?
Yes
Now
Thank you so much for the warm welcome and all your support. We’re excited to keep sharing this journey with you, and if you want to hear the podcast episode, you can click here. We appreciate you all so much!
Adios!
Jasmine & Andrew
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