You love your family, you love your friends, but the wanderlust is calling you to far off lands and you know that if you listen to the call of the wild long enough, inevitably you are going to disappoint, or upset someone.
At any stage of your life, leaving behind your family and friends to embark on an adventure in a distant land is fraught with dilemma’s. Why are you going - are you running away from something, or someone, when in reality, you just want to kind of like - go!
There is no ulterior motive, no big issue, just a feeling that you need to explore and see something of the world and just be you for a while, without the backdrop of your nearest and dearest.
When you are facing this conundrum in your 20’s, it’s a totally different dilemma to facing it in your 40’s. In your 20’s, your parents haven’t quite adapted to the prospect that their ‘babies’ have grown up, and want to fly the nest. The thought of any long haul trip or gap year brings parents out in a sweat, and worry beads form involuntarily on every Mum and Dad’s head.
But what about years later, when there are also Grandchildren involved, and your spouse gets the offer of an amazing job, relocation package AND the house of your dreams in - Australia and is already looking at the Australian Immigration website.
This is not going to be something that fills a gap for a year or so, this is a long term commitment, and you have some soul searching to do.
If your parents suddenly decided they were going to relocate for a happy retirement in a country that was simply a couple of hours plane ride away, you would encourage and support them in that decision. It’s not the same as living just in the next town, but it’s doable, and you can make it work for their sake.
But when you want to relocate to a country that is on another continent, that is an entirely different matter, there are so many things to take into consideration.
What do you do? Do you go down the seemingly selfish route of thinking it’s your life, a great opportunity, and your spouse, children will have such a better standard of living or, do you consider the negatives, such as your parents aren’t getting any younger, they are an integral part of your children's lives.
Worse still you may be an only child, now thinking about heading off on a journey that is going to cause your beloved parents a load of heartache and they will miss you terribly.
Whatever your situation, take your time to make the right decision. Australia may be right for you, but not right now. Don’t be dismissive of your loved one’s views and opinions, it’s a rare parent or friend that will actually hold you back by making you feel guilty.
Talk to friends and family before you make any major decisions about spreading your wings and relocating, for whatever reason, to another continent.