Redefining Myself In A New City: Lessons From Moving Abroad
7 years ago, in December 2017, my wife and I got rid of most of our belongings, packed a few suitcases, and moved to Miami. It was something loosely planned with my job, but the timing was uncertain. Due to life circumstances, we decided to push forward. I remember calling my manager and friend, saying, “We need to move—it’s important for our well-being. If it’s not possible, I’ll quit, and we’ll go somewhere else.” A month later, we were in Miami. It turned out to be one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.
Moving is often exciting because you get to discover a new place, but it can also be stressful. You have to adjust to a new environment, make friends, start a new job, and settle into a home. I had moved before, but this was different—new continent, new country, new culture, new food, new EVERYTHING.
To be honest, I was excited more than anything. The excitement outweighed any stress or anxiety.
But what makes this story worth sharing is how much this move changed my life in ways I never could have predicted. Looking back, I see now that so much of it came from mindset shifts and decisions I made while I was there.
When I arrived, I wasn’t in the best place mentally. I used the move as an opportunity to reset and build healthier habits:
🧘♂️ meditating,
💪 exercising,
📚 reading,
🌱 eating better,
💧 drinking less,
🏝️ and spending more time outdoors.
Knowing few people allowed me the freedom to be ‘a new me’ without judgment. And being in a sunny, warm, beautiful environment near the beach helped a lot!
My wife and I also had to rebuild our social circle, so we went to meetups and events all over the city. We met random people, explored new interests, and kept an open mind. This openness led to exponential growth 📈.
In Miami, I fully understood the saying:
You Are the Average of the Five People You Spend Time With.
Surrounding myself with entrepreneurs, open-minded and supportive individuals, and people from diverse backgrounds—different cultures, beliefs, and orientations—transformed me. My views, values, goals, and mindset evolved completely. By the time I left Miami 3.5 years later, I was ready to fully embrace life, and I’ve never looked back.
Why am I sharing this? Because I want you to find “your Miami.” That place—physical or metaphorical—that allows you to shed your old self and grow into the best version of you. To find it, you need two things: a willingness to leave behind what no longer serves you and openness to change.
💡 Is it risky? Yes. Change always carries risk. But in many cases, the risk of NOT changing is far greater.
What’s been your “Miami moment”? Have you ever made a big change that led to personal growth? Share your experience in the comments or by replying to the email—I’d love to hear your story!