Are you Ready?

So recently a few people have expressed their interest in moving to Japan to me. And while I obviously agree with the idea of moving, I have some doubts on weather these people can actually survive living here. And when I say that, I don’t mean on a environmental scale, I mean on a personal life and day to day life scenario. While living in Japan is one of the best things that has happened to me, it also has brought MANY new challenges in our lives. And honestly if we were not able to overcome these challenges, we wouldn’t have been able to make it the last two years.

When I look at people I view them as individuals of course, because that’s what they are and I do believe most people have the ability to rise to the occasion and succeed. But with that being said they HAVE TO be willing to put int he work, dedication and educate themselves BY THEM SELVES.

One of the most important aspects of just living on your own is self reliance AND accountability. Without these two things it is likely you will not make it anywhere on your own.

From my home town I come across MANY people who are not self reliant. They still depend on family to get things done in their life. Weather that be shopping for food, paying bills or deal with situations we find difficult. And while there is nothing wrong with this type of lifestyle, it is not independence.

Another rather big issue I find with my hometown homies is that they love to pass the buck or in better terms, refuse to take the blame. They purposely set it up where they can blame someone else for their shortcomings or for “failure”. It’s a built in safety net that I have seen so many of them create and one of the most difficult habits to break.

I truly believe you can’t consider yourself an adult until you can be held accountable for your actions weather they are good or bad. AND learn from each experience. It’s far to easy to get through life thinking you’re independent when really your mom still pays your bills. And trust me, I have heard all the excuses; but at the end of the day if the bills are yours, then you should deal with them.

But accountability is important. You need to hold yourself to the highest standard of accountability when you move. You can’t blame anyone else for your issues. If you didn’t pay an electricity bill, that’s on you. If you didn’t buy food and need to shop, it’s you. When you live in such a comfortable life where these issues are no matter to you, then you need to seriously think before making a big decision like moving abroad.

It’s also important to know that moving to another country means; you are moving to someplace that has its own culture, its own traditions and way of life. You can’t move abroad and expect it to be like home. If that is the case then you shouldn’t move at all. You are a guest in the other country, you need to act appropriately.

Over the last few weeks I have watched and realized that some people are not where they need to be to make a big move. It would likely end in failure. But does that mean its impossible? No, just not anytime soon. I base this decision on the fact that I consider myself a capable person (not perfect i need work) but capable. And I have struggled with many aspects of living aborad and it has honestly taken a lot of time, energy and stress to make it work. BUT at the end of the day, I am willing to admit when I’m wrong, hold myself accountable and work at resolving any issues that come my way.

I notice to that a lot of people when coming across a problem or difficult situation, they shut down. They don’t realize that there are other venues of resolution. It’s not just the path in front of you. And in my opinion, a true understanding of this mindset is needed to make it in the world.

So lets be real and lay it out on the table: if you can’t select a restaurant on your own, you’re not ready. If you can’t take or navigate a GPS, you aren’t ready. If you can’t handle being put in situation that you are not comfortable in, then you are not ready. And if you are not 100% responsible for your own personal finances, you are not ready. If you can’t accept the fact that YOU are the problem, you are not ready. Your dreams are amazing and I truly hope they become a reality but being honest, you are not ready.

I hope there is a time where I don’t view it like this but the reality of the matter is as of right now, it would be the biggest mistake you make, without first growing as a person.

IN any case, I’ll end it here.

Until the next one.