Dreaming of Escape

Summary: It seems that up to a quarter of Brits now believe that the grass is truly greener elsewhere - is the dream of escape embedded deep within all of us, and are we all to a lesser or greater degree seeking to run away from the mundane structure of our lives?

It seems that up to a quarter of Brits now believe that the grass is truly greener elsewhere.

Indeed, according to a recent national survey up to one in four British adults said that they were dreaming of an escape to an overseas destination where they believed they would find better weather, a better lifestyle, less crime and more time away from work.

These are startling statistics indeed, and they mirror US figures where the 24/7-constantly on the go-lifestyle that Britons have seriously adopted in the last five years is the norm and has been for decades. 

But is it just these work-obsessed nations that promote feelings of restlessness and resentment among their citizens?  Or is the dream of escape embedded deep within all of us, and are we all to a lesser or greater degree seeking to run away from the mundane structure of our lives?

The Britons interviewed cited their own personal reasons for seeking a new life abroad as sunnier weather, a more predicable climate, a cheaper and better standard of living, better transport links a healthier environment and more welcoming and friendly people.  However, a group of psychologists interviewed and asked to comment on these findings were quick to dismiss the fact that apparently more and more people are dreaming of and actively seeking a new life abroad for these fairly ‘superficial’ factors. 

The psychologists claimed that the real reason up to a quarter of a nation’s adult citizens were considered seeking a new and ‘better’ life overseas is because of the way the nation has changed in recent years. 

As Britons have become cash wealthier over the past five years so they have lost free time and personal freedom as a direct result, and they feel they have less direct control over their own lives.  This lack of freedom and control results in people believing that they have to leave their old lives behind and physically move abroad to shake off the shackles that structure and restrict their lives. 

According to the opinion of the psychologists most of these people will not find the realisation of their dreams for freedom and a better life by moving abroad, instead the majority of them will only find more dissatisfaction and possibly disappointment as well unless they change their mindset because they will move abroad and only then realise that life isn’t always better or even any different elsewhere.  Wherever in the world we live the facts remain - we all still have to have structure in our lives and a certain amount of discipline and wherever we go in the world all our own beliefs and issues and ingrained feelings will come with us as they are ever present in our minds, they are the fundamentals of our very being, meaning that the location might change but lives are unlikely to change to any significant degree! 

Changing country will not change who we are, it will not change our past, it will not remove our fears and it will not affect our beliefs - we will remain who we are regardless of the location we are in.  This means that a new life abroad that so many people desire will not necessarily promote the feelings of well-being and freedom they crave. 

If you’re considering establishing a new life abroad you shouldn’t be persuaded or dissuaded by these findings, these opinions and these ideas.  The question of whether you should emigrate should come down to whether your aspirations for your new life abroad are realistic and achievable. If you’re looking to escape, what is it you’re hoping to escape from?  Are you sure that the ‘issue’ or ‘problem’ you want to leave behind isn’t at least in part within you?  Because if it is within you it will come with you.  If on the other hand you have practical and realistic expectations for your new life then find the emotional strength within to make your dreams come true. 

Don’t burn bridges but don’t look back!

By living abroad you most definitely broaden your cultural horizons and your mind, you will gain experiences and opportunities you might never have had otherwise, but make sure you take action for the ‘right’ reasons and that you have enough emotional strength and support to succeed.

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