What If It All Goes Right? - Expat Edition

As expats, it’s easy to get caught in cycles of doubt and worry—wondering about everything that could go wrong. As a coach, one of the most powerful tools we use is reframing: shifting our mindset from fear to possibility, from obstacles to opportunities.

Josie Balka’s poem What If It All Goes Right beautifully captures this shift in perspective. It made me wonder—what if there were an expat version of this poem? Here it is:

What if it all goes right?

What if the move feels like a fresh start

What if you find community in a place you never expected

What if the language starts making sense—one day at a time

What if your kids thrive in their new school

What if your accent becomes a conversation starter, not a barrier

What if homesickness fades into a feeling of belonging

What if you discover a version of yourself you never knew

What if your partner grows with you, not away from you

What if your career takes off in ways you never imagined

What if your friendships stretch across borders and last a lifetime

What if your family visits and encourages you in your decision

What if you take that leap—and it leads somewhere beautiful

What if your story inspires someone else to take a chance

What if you’re not missing out but expanding your world

What if your kids thank you someday for the adventure

What if you belong in more places than one

What if you find joy in both where you’ve been—and where you are

What if changing countries changes you—in the best possible ways

What if it all goes right?

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COACHING because the real journey is the one that happens inside.