It’s hard to get a true and fair perspective of what life’s like for expatriates living in Dubai nowadays, because the media went into hyper mode when it appeared the emirate was in meltdown, and did severe damage to this state’s reputation. What the media’s actions also served to do was render it impossible to trust anything they now write about Dubai, because so much of what was written was so overblown and inaccurate.
So, on the one hand we can examine the media reports but ensure we do so with a pinch of salt thrown into the mix…this will show us that life is still ticking along but that the authorities and the locals are less friendly and more aggressive when it comes to ‘reclaiming’ Dubai as their own from misbehaving expats. On the other hand you have the blogs and sites promoting Dubai which still vociferously sing the emirate’s praises – and anyone who questions what they’re saying will be ignored.
So in the interests of getting closer to the truth, we thought we’d call on our residents’ group in Dubai and find out from them how they’re doing. The general consensus of opinion is that the lifestyle’s still good, the opportunities are fewer, and that the bubble that was ‘Dubai is heaven on earth’ has been popped – and now you need to learn how to get more from your life living in Dubai – perhaps by looking within! Shopping malls and swimming pools are not the be all and end all in a Dubai resident’s pursuit of happiness. If you’re already living in the emirate or thinking of relocating to Dubai, here’s our guide to getting the most out of your life in the UAE – or anywhere for that matter, because we’re going to get a little zen-like and suggest you look within for your happiness!
All That Glitters is No Longer Seen as Gold…
Having the world’s media ‘hate on’ Dubai was not such a bad thing; it at least balanced out the one sided reporting coming from within the emirate that Dubai was paradise, and anyone who moved to live and work in the state was guaranteed a perfect life. Focus was finally placed on the plight of the Asian construction workers who are treated worse than slaves and where amongst whom, suicide rates are growing. It is hoped the authorities will finally be shamed into doing something about the situation these poor men endure, instead of ignoring them and rather hoping they’ll die.
What’s more, some of the rather illusionary aspects of Dubai were brought into perspective and highlighted as scams, shams or just down right suspect! This put an end to the ever rocketing real estate prices, but unfortunately it has driven a lot of employers and a lot of employment opportunities out of Dubai. Those who remain and who are in gainful employment – or at least who have enough money to get by on, need more from their life than being brainwashed that they live in the best place on earth.
Why This Applies to All Expats…
We always talk about the ‘dream’ of living abroad – so in effect we’re as guilty as anyone for promoting the expatriate lifestyle like some sort of fantasy. But the fact of the matter is, life can be better for many people in another country – for a million reasons. However, that said, nowhere is paradise on earth, and sometimes you have to look within for greater fulfilment in life – i.e., it may not simply come to you just because you move abroad. So, if you’re an expat and you’re feeling a little less than totally happy at the moment, this article is at least as important for you as it is for those living in Dubai who have really been battered after believing that the emirate’s streets were paved with gold, only to discover that actually, they are paved with boring concrete!
How to Get More From YOUR Life as an Expatriate
Living in Dubai it was easy to be drawn in to the ‘excesses’ the emirate seemingly embodied and certainly promoted. Excess money, excess consumerism, excess partying, excess socialising, excess sunbathing and lying around doing excessive amounts of nothing…
According to our cross section of residents who have signed up to provide Shelter Offshore with feedback when required, there was a general undertone of non-reality about life in Dubai up until about 12 – 18 months ago, and since then, a dawning of truth has come upon residents!
Some have been forced to leave, others have made the choice to move on – but of those who remain, all are so far happy that they have done so. All prefer the ‘new’ Dubai, whilst voicing some trepidation about how the state now views its expatriate residents. Where once residents felt at home in Dubai, now 85% of our survey group state that they feel like temporary guests – even if they own their own home.
So, it’s apparent that Dubai itself is no longer the be all and end all in terms of providing its residents with life satisfaction…therefore, it’s time to get a little spiritual or ‘zen’ about it, and look within yourself to get more out of your life as an expatriate. You’ve already made a massive change in your life and chosen to follow an alternative path by moving abroad, so we know you’re not afraid of challenges. Therefore, take Shelter Offshore’s five challenges below, and see if they can kick start your Spring and move you from perhaps feeling melancholy or just bored, to feeling far more fulfilled, no matter where in the world you’re living – even if you’re living in Dubai and according to the world’s media, the emirate is in meltdown!
1) Who is important in your life – and what are you doing to show them they matter? We challenge you to think about the people in your life who really matter to you, and to do something meaningful and consistent to remind them that they are loved, valued and appreciated. As an expatriate in Dubai, it can be all consuming socialising and networking to secure your new contract or a future sale. But what about your spouse and children at home? When was the last time you thought about something that would make them happy, and went and got on with it even if it meant you missed a business meeting or a social ‘schmooze’ with colleagues after work?
As an expatriate wrapped up in your new life with different friends, different routines and perhaps even different values, when was the last time you thought about your parents, siblings or friends back home? They supported you to get you where you wanted to be in life…when was the last time you pick up the phone or got on a plane home to see them? Without our friends, our family and our loved ones we have nothing.
2) What is fear stopping you doing or fulfilling? When you were a child what did you want to be when you grew up? What stopped you fulfilling all your dreams and fantasies? Okay, so we can’t all be premiership footballers or singers like Beyonce, but sometimes our inner child can bring us joy, passion, fun and laughter. So isn’t it time you tapped into your inner child’s mind and forgot the fear, embraced a new and fun challenge and saw that there really is more to life than meeting the mortgage!
3) When was the last time you did something meaningful or useful for others? Making yourself happy and improving the lives of your loved ones is a fantastic achievement that most of us barely manage on any sort of consistent basis! But when was the last time you stepped out of your comfort zone and went and really put yourself out or someone else? In Dubai there is great poverty in parts of the emirate and the city – you could get out there and help. You don’t need to rock the political boat or upset your hosts and sponsors, but you could make a real difference – and perhaps buy yourself some karma in so doing so the next time you laze by the pool enjoying a beer, you’ll know you’ve really earned it. The same goes for expats everywhere – put something back into your new community…
4) Are you the happiest and healthiest you could be? Money can buy you medical insurance and it can buy you all sorts of material goods and consumer durables that can give you fleeting moments of joy…money cannot buy you health or happiness. Both require a certain amount of consistent effort on your part. For example, if you exercised more, stopped smoking and ate more healthily, your health would improve, making you automatically feel better about yourself and your life. In so doing, you create a natural platform for greater fulfilment and happiness in your life. It all needs to come from you – and all that’s required usually is a bit of willpower and determination.
5) Could you do better? Never give up on self improvement – that way all sorts of benefits lie. If you work on being a better person at home, those you live with will benefit. If you work on being a better person in the community you live in, even if you just cut down on your road rage, you’ll be responsible for spreading – if not more positivity – then less negativity. And if you work on being a better and more supportive person at work, not only will your day run more smoothly, but so will your colleagues…and that’s no bad thing.
In Conclusion
Dubai is not paradise on earth – shock!
Neither is anywhere else for that matter – so no matter where you move to overseas as an expatriate, you will need to put in some consistent and personal effort to get the very most out of your new life living abroad.
