3 Telltale Signs you Should Recklessly Drop Everything in Your Life Now and Move to Israel

I was a naive, insecure 27-year-old when I came here, on my little digital nomad journey. Not knowing what I wanted to do with my life, really, but knowing that it somehow had to involve shedding every part of my identity, and starting anew. 

It’s not because of a bad breakup. It’s not because I had to get away from someone or something. It’s just… boredom. I was bored. I had done everything that I felt I needed to do in Canada: finish my studies, work at an ad agency, get an apartment, pay off my student loans. 

I needed something that would make me feel alive again. 

Sure, maybe I could have done something a little more normal. Taken up crochet, or joined a running club, or a book club, or really, any club. But I decided to just up and leave instead. 

At first, I told myself, it wasn’t going to be forever. 3 months. No more than that. 

But, with no return flight booked, I went into my trip knowing it might be the start of something deeper. And, all things considered, I have no regrets. 

But how do you know? How do you know if you should just do what I did - drop it all, pack a small suitcase, and move your life to a brand new country - especially one as chaotic as Israel?

If you aggressively nod “yes” to any of the following questions, then you have your answer.

1. Are you really, really bored?

Seriously though. Are you? Do you feel like you’re living in real-time Groundhog Day, experiencing a yawn-inducing routine that kind of makes you want to die? (in a dramatic teenager kind of way, not in a depressed, serious way). If yes, moving just might be the thing that gets you going again. Because if there’s one thing I’m sure of, being in a new country - especially one like Israel - is never dull. 

2. Do you not have real friends?

You might have friends, sure. But are they actually friends? How often do you talk to them when you’re not in town? If you move, would you be able to replace the current friendships you have, relatively easily? Are your friends the kinds of people you avoid talking about politics with? (cough cough… Israel… cough). Yalla, ditch them and move here. You’ll find your new crew.

Not in no time, but the journey to finding your people here is so, so worth it.

3. Do you hate the cold more than you hate war?

The war here is awful. No other way to say it. One minute, it almost feels like everything is normal. The next, you're holed up in your apartment because of t**orists on the loose in your city. Oh, and then there are the rocket attacks from every country you can imagine. Yemen, Iran, Lebanon, Gaza. Those moments make you feel real, existential fear, like you've never felt before.

But... hear me out. I would much, much rather stick it through the war here, than have to feel frozen snot on the scarf wrapped around my face, and a cold wetness on my feet from a pair of boots that are supposed to be waterproof, but somehow never live up to that promise in the wet, sad Canadian winter.

All those who second that opinion, say "I." And pack your bags, cause you're moving. I said so.

4. Are you searching for meaning in your life?

At 26, I felt like I had reached all the major milestones I needed to reach as a fully-fledged adult. I had paid off my student loans, gotten a couple big girl jobs, and rented out a small but adorable studio apartment in cozy midtown Toronto. But then... what was next?

I guess, the next logical step was to find the love of my life, or Mr. Good Enough, make babies, and move to the suburbs.

The thought of that made me puke a little in my mouth.

I wanted to experience the world, even as a shy, socially anxious adult with no real experience being truly on my own. I wanted to find more purpose in my life. Something to tell my kids about when I finally have them with, hopefully, Mr. More Than Good Enough.

And I'm so glad I made that leap.

Now, I pass the baton to you.

At the end of the day, it all comes down to this: do you have that burning "what if..." feeling? The one you stuff down deep inside yourself, buried in 6 feet of logical thinking, only for it to crop up every now and again?

Then that's your answer. That's your call to action.

Everyone will judge you, and your family will think you're mentally unwell, and hey, maybe you are!

But that's nothing a day at the beach in Tel Aviv can't fix.

So, what are you waiting for? Do it. Book that ticket. One way only. (And text me when you get here, so we can grab coffee and be mentally unstable together.)