Stay Afloat: Deutsch - How to Avoid Burnout as an Expat

As I reflect on my own experiences as an expat in Germany, I am reminded of the importance of staying afloat amidst the challenges that come with living abroad. In my case, I thought that replicating practices and strategies that had brought past success would be enough to keep me going. However, the harder I worked and the more I sought to control outcomes, the more fatigued and disheartened I grew.

I defaulted to patterns ingrained in my life, and intellectually, I knew that 'apart from God I can do nothing' (John 15:5). But despite this knowledge, I was still struggling to stay afloat. The language barrier and atheistic culture in Germany proved more challenging than we had envisioned, and I found myself feeling emotionally drained.

In the spring of 2006, our family began a 2-year international mission assignment, which brought its own set of challenges. I realized that I had grown callous and numb, and I needed spiritual resuscitation. I was attempting to curry favor with God through performance, but it wasn't working. I felt depleted and exhausted from a life that lacked grace, and my passion and joy had all but disappeared.

For too many months, religious activity had come to trump having a love relationship with God. But then, in a strange turn of events, I began to see myself metaphorically - like one face-down atop the water in a pool - floating spiritually lifeless. Having seen my son Ryan so close to dying, I spent a lot of time thinking about life and the importance of staying afloat.

One day, while sitting on my porch gazing out at our Florida apartment pool where Ryan had been playing, I realized that I needed to make a change. I needed to focus on having a love relationship with God, rather than just going through the motions. And so, I began to prioritize my spiritual life and seek a deeper connection with Him.

If you're an expat in Germany struggling to stay afloat, know that you're not alone. It's easy to get caught up in the daily grind and forget to prioritize your own well-being. But by focusing on your spiritual life and seeking support from others, you can find the strength and resilience you need to overcome the challenges of living abroad.

In this article, we'll explore some tips for staying afloat as an expat in Germany, including how to prioritize your spiritual life, seek support from others, and cultivate a sense of community. Whether you're new to Germany or have been here for years, these strategies can help you find the peace and fulfillment you've been searching for.

Stay afloat deutsch