When you feel like giving up

When you feel like giving up, ask yourself this one question: Why did I decide to become an au pair? 

There are so many different, diverse and complex reasons as to why people choose to spend at least one year of their life abroad as an au pair. There’s no ultimate answer to this question. But if you did it for the right reasons, you’re not going to have a hard time reminding yourself why you did it in the first place.

Sometimes life is hard. Sometimes life as an au pair is even harder. You’re far away from home, in a strange country where everyone speaks a different language. You’re far away from everything you know and the people you love. Your family and friends might be supporting you back at home, but they’re not on this journey with you, this is your journey. And sometimes this can be though. Sometimes we just want to give up. 

One thing that always helps me if I feel like giving up, packing my bags and going home, is to try to remind myself why I made the decision to become an au pair. 

It might be because you wanted to experience a new and different culture. So immerse yourself in it! Eat the food, listen to the music and follow the traditions! It might be because you wanted to travel in the states. So go out and do it! Make plans for your next big trip or take a day trip on the weekend, it’ll help you feel better. Maybe you wanted to grow as a person. And you are. Whether we notice it or not, this year abroad shapes our personalities and changes us. It helps us grow and become better versions of ourselves.

Sometimes we face challenges and sometimes we’re unhappy. Sometimes we miss our family and friends and that makes us feel homesick. Sometimes life will just suck. But it’s on us to learn how to deal with that. It’s on us to stand up for ourselves, to figure out what makes us happy and then do what makes us happy. 

And always remember: tomorrow is a new day and a new chance. Every day has the potential to become the best day of your life, if you let it. 

Chin up love, and don’t give up yet. You’re so much stronger than you think and you’re so brave. It takes guts to up and move to another country the way you did. You’ve already come so far, don’t give up now!