Expat Journal"Do you like Italians abroad?""It depends..."

Dear Diary,

A few days ago, an hater insulted me. Just like that. Out of nowhere. On a Sunday, no less.

For a post where I gave some advice about life abroad—beautiful, but complex to build. #Expat life is not for everyone. And that’s it: he doesn’t tolerate Italians living in Italy. We all should emigrate, apparently, and leave!

Since I started this adventure, I've met many people who are immigrants like me or former immigrants—those who decided to return home, though calling them "former" feels strange, but you get what I mean. Each of them has a different perspective on being an expat.

• On one side, there are those who think that Italy is the absolute evil and that those who stay simply haven’t had enough courage (to put it mildly) to leave. They’re wasting their time, they say. I admit that, at the beginning of this chapter in my life, I was so angry with my country that I kind of thought that too.

• On the other side, there are those for whom Italy is the perfect country, and everything else just doesn’t compare: they almost hate everything about the place they’re in, "we’re just here for the money, right?"

In both cases, deep down, there’s a lot of suffering. Anger, homesickness, disappointment.

The hater, needless to say, belonged to the first group.

I don’t like polarization. Even though my nickname is Alex Drastico (a character by italian comedian Antonio Albanese), I seek mediation.

Between these two extremes, there are all the others.

1. Those who dreamed of expanding their horizons, but only for a while.

2. Those for whom it was worth trying—and if it goes wrong, just go back.

3. Those who haven’t yet found the right place.

4. Those who feel at home anywhere or nowhere.

5. Those like me, who feel like they’re on the right path…but maybe it’s just a stop.

   
   

It takes courage. To leave. To stay. To change your mind. Every choice is an act of courage. Because, in the end, whatever you decide to do, the responsibility is on your shoulders.

So, you might as well do it knowing that you’ve chosen by listening to only yourself, rather than the latest guru.

And if someone insults you on the internet…block them! :D