3 tips to minimize loneliness living abroad

Moving to a new country can be challenging, especially when it comes to making friends and overcoming loneliness. In this video, I share how I dealt with loneliness after moving to France and the steps I took to create a new community for myself. If you're wondering how to build connections quickly in a foreign country, these tips might help.

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[PatriciaBrooksCourageCatalyst]

How do you make friends and build community when you are the new kid on the block?

[victorbrown]

Very interesting topic. I've always been a loaner and maybe this helped me in my many years abroad. That said I managed to have few but good friends in the countries I lived in. Even now I spend 98% of my time alone but I can't say it bothers me that much. I'm comfortable alone. Thank goodness people are wired differently. I like Patricia's tips. Everyone has to find what works for him or herself. Lastly I'll add that I think that the technology we have today sure can help in dealing with loneliness. Thanks for the topic. I've been very fortunate in my life to meet very nice people almost everywhere I've been. Some of them have lead to long lasting friendships to this day..

[keacoq]

In summary: 1. .learn and use the language. Put yourself out there. 3. Like yourself.
I have been living in France in retirement since 2017. I feel a greater sense of belonging here than I did in New Zealand.
I'd affirm those tips and add:
a. Speak French and avoid speaking English in earshot of French people you hope to get to know. I try to respond always in French.
b. Learn and follow the French rules of politeness. Bonjour, au revoir, bonne continuation, handshakes, bises. They are magic for helping to make and keep contact.
c. Do not show preference for your home country. Focus on what is better in France.
d. Value the solidarity you find in groups. I am often surprised by how much others know about me, in a good way, in order to include me
e. Look for opportunities for 1:1 conversations.

I think France is a wonderfully welcoming country

[parisienneatheart]

I love the fact that you said that you honor your word to yourself. So many times we do not have the confidence to do things because we have not honored our word by doing the things that we said we would do. We've got to stop letting ourselves down.

[dominiquebt]

Thank you for sharing these tips. I feel like learning the language in the places I've lived abroad has been the key not only thriving (not feeling lonely, making friends, etc.), but also to personal growth - I end up learning about myself, the US, as well as the people that speak the foreign language.

[fionasteinbrecht]

Hi Patricia, great tips, I moved to Germany 30 years ago, I talked to people to learn german as much as possible, now I have friends, with internet I have english 😊 always learning still 😊 it's your journey, feeling capable is important too

[victorbrown]

Those doors behind you are interesting. They make me think of Moroccan doors, doors of Zanzibar, Spanish doors, doors of so many places. Personally I love old wooden doors, but one day I realized that I have a big magnetic side door; it's not nearly as nice as the doors in your poster, but the fact that it works with magnets is very useful. It's a door with a picture collage.

[katsybo]

This is something I deal with as an older woman. Thinking about relocating to France after the election.

[SueRetiredToFrance]

Love this! I am hoping to find a place somewhat near to where you are - I simply love that part of France!

[teddydavis]

You seem like a wonderful person. When you told that story about you speaking to that man and he didn't speak back, it kind of made me a bit sad. And then you said he spoke you one day, and you felt you had broken through. That actually broke my heart. I don't know if it's an African American thing, but it looks like you're looking for acceptance. I might be wrong.
Why do so many educated African Americans women describe themselves as introverts? Is it a cultural thing?
You should like yourself because you are a lovely person.
Have you considered visiting Martinique or Guadeloupe?
I lived in France, so I understand the loneliness you felt. Now that you speak French, maybe being around more people who look like you may take away some of the loneliness. Many French people prefer their own people, as do many Europeans.
Don't waste your time learning Catalan. Only a handful of people speak Catalan. People who accept you will accept you. Most Catalonia people won't accept you because you are not Catalan.
I made that mistake with Italian.
It was a complete waste of time.
Good luck!

[victorbrown]

Keep up the great work Patricia. I could never have my own business because I have no business sense. How does it feel to be an entrepreneur?

[ValerieFisk]

Salut Patricia 👋
New subscriber here. I live in Marseillan between you and Montpellier and I love the TMS application! I may be coming down to Perpignan soon for the Visa pour l'image photo journalism show. I also see we have a mutual friend on fb so I'll message you there.