Ep36: China Blonde with Nicole Webb

 

We know for a fact that moving to a different country is no breeze. How much more so if you’re a trailblazer spouse/partner who has no job, stays at home, takes care of the kids, and supports their spouse? How do you face the challenges brought about by moving into a new country as challenging as China?

Going to places you wouldn’t normally go can help you to change perspective.

Hailing from the land of the long white cloud, New Zealander Nicole Webb moved to Australia as a teenager with her family. There she went on to pursue her dream of becoming a television journalist and newsreader with Sky News. She then moved to Hong Kong in 2010 and to China in 2014.

In this episode, Nicole shares how she identifies with trailblazer spouses and partners -- the struggles and tribulations they face when moving to a new place like China. She attributes loneliness and loss of identity among the challenges facing such trailblazers. She’s not without ways and means to find a solution to this dilemma. She considers social media a big factor in connecting with other like-minded people. And the importance of giving such changes the time they need. 

What you will learn from this episode: 

* Learn how to be a confident trailblazer spouse or partner who is secure in the thought that she has a lot to contribute to her new-found community and the world at large
* Find ways to connect with like-minded people who are also trailblazers
* Learn how to find your purpose when moving to a new place so you won’t lose your identity

“Often, I think it can seem quite an insurmountable task when you arrive in a place like China, you are out there on your own and, your spouse is off to work doing what he or she does. If we give to change the time it needs, it can be an incredibly enriching and lasting experience and often even a better one for the trailblazer.”
- Nicole Webb

Topics Covered: 

01:53 - Nicole defines who her ideal client is

02:57 - She shares the need to take time to settle in and find your feet in a new place like China

04:00 - Why loneliness can become a problem for the trailblazers

04:54 - She highlights how spouses can pigeonhole themselves in a certain box which shouldn’t be the case

05:54 - One actionable tip to help solve a trailblazer’s problem: Find your tribe and step out of your comfort zone.

06:32 - One valuable free resource that can help a trailblazer spouse find her place in her new-found community in China: Facebook group - Shanghai Mommies

07:22 - Nicole talks about her blog, ‘Welcome Musings in Hongkong,’ that connected her to many other expats

08:10 - One great resource for anyone moving to China: CHINA BLONDE: How a newsreader's search for adventure led to friendship, acceptance...and peroxide pandemonium by Nicole Webb

Key Takeaways: 

“I think as an expat, social media is something that can connect you with people all over the world who are in similar situations to you.” - Nicole Webb 

“I started an expat blog, ‘Welcome Musings in Hong Kong’. And I think that helped to connect me with people from all over the world.” - Nicole Webb

“China Blonde” is a great resource for anyone thinking about moving to China, or anyone thinking about moving anywhere out of their comfort zone for that matter, because it takes you through all of those trials and tribulations of moving from your beloved country and setting up in a new country.” - Nicole Webb

“I'd like people to remember that it takes time to settle in and to find your feet.” - Nicole Webb

“One problem is that we often try to pigeonhole ourselves in a certain box, which is what I did as a newsreader. I thought that was all I am. And you forget what you have done over the last 10 or 20 years and what makes up you as a whole. And that can be so many other things besides the working title that perhaps you've held in the past.” -Nicole Webb

Resources: 

Ways to Connect with Nicole Webb: 

Ways to Connect with Howard Whiteson: 

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