When you first start dreaming of a move to England, it all feels new and exciting. But when you begin researching what it actually takes to move to England, it can quickly become overwhelming.
One of the best things you can do if you care considering a move to England is read first-hand accounts of people who have done it. Behavior scientists call this “vicarious experience” and it’s proven to help you reach your goals.
Simply put, watching someone (or reading about someone else) accomplish a task strengthens your belief in your own abilities to accomplish that task. If you believe that you can do something, you are far more likely to try and achieve it.
In addition to getting you over some your mental blocks, these reads are packed with information about what it’s really like to move to a new country. They are sure to help you along in the decision-making process and provide a lot of enjoyment along the way.
Settle into your favorite cozy chair pour and yourself a cuppa. Here are my top 5 recommended books that helped me tremendously during my move to England!
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1. Notes from a Small Island by Bill Bryson
Adventures of an American in Britain
Bill Bryson lived in England for 20 years before writing his classic Notes from a Small Island. It has sold millions of copies since it was published in 1998 and continues to be one of the best books on moving to England from the US you will find.
I’ve been a Bryson fan for years and read this book long before we were considering moving to England.
More than just a travel memoir. It’s filled with British history, valuable information, and brilliant insights delivered with Bryson’s trademark wit and humor.
2. Watching the English by Kate Fox
The Hidden Rules of English Behavior
British social anthropologist Kate Fox has written the unofficial guidebook for anyone hoping to understand the English. In this charming book, Kate unpacks English customs, social norms, and unwritten rules of behavior.
Many American expats will tell you that it can take years to crack the code of English social behavior. Reading Watching the English helped me to understand my new neighbors and coworkers, and probably saved me from putting my foot in my mouth more than once!
3. British English from A to Zed
A Definitive Guide to the Queen’s English
George Bernard Shaw said that the British and Americans are “two peoples separated by a common language.”
It’s true to that basic communication is generally easy. If you ask someone where the bathroom is, they will know you mean the toilet. (Even though “bathroom” in the UK is a term reserved for a room with an actual bathtub). But there are still times when it’s difficult to tell if a conversation is going well or I should be insulted.
In addition to helping you understand common Brtish terms, British English A to Zed is a fun and entertaining introduction to British culture.
4. The Artist’s Way by Julia Cameron
A Spiritual Path to Higher Creativity
You are probably wondering what this book has to do with moving to England. I am here to tell you it has everything to do with moving to England.
What we are really doing when we move to a new country is creating a new life for ourselves, a new way of being in the world.
Often when we are trying to create something, what gets in our way are our negative beliefs about ourselves and the world around us. The Artist’s Way is about moving past that resistance and silencing the critic inside your head to allow you to live the life you have always wanted. I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking to make a big life change.
5. The Paris Letters by Janet MacLeod
One Woman’s Journey from the Fast Lane to a Slow Stroll in Paris
This memoir is the inspirational story of one woman’s journey from working a 9-5 that she loathed to living her dream life in Paris.
What’s really important about this book is that we could all be Janice. She was unhappy in her life and wanted something different. She set a goal of taking a year off to live in Paris and worked towards it every day.
Our whole family read The Paris Letters and have passed it on to others who needed a little inspiration to reach their goals. It’s worth mentioning that Janice worked the program from The Artist’s Way during her transformation.
These were my top 5 picks for inspiration when you are planning a move to England. Is there something that is inspiring you? Share in the comments!
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