Guest blog written by Steve Durham, an author, expat living in Portugal, and an amazing friend
Americans visit Europe and the cobblestone streets, café culture, and exotic cuisine seduce them. Love is inevitable and that is the starting point for all of us who chose to emigrate to Europe. In my case, Portugal. Every expat has a constellation of reasons for leaving the U.S., but we all share one motivator. The poisonous American political climate.
It’s difficult for an individual to repulse the intense negative energy when immersed in it. To some extent, a portion must be absorbed. This can’t be good for our collective spirit much less our individual spirit.
Although we have moved away to get away, to find peace and quiet for our souls, we eventually experience the rude awakening that we can’t get away. While my American news feed is filled with angry political rants, especially in this election year, I find my Portuguese news feed also features many entries about the American presidential election. The reality is that what happens in America, particularly our politics, is critical to the rest of the world. Will the U.S. support Ukraine? Will it pull out of NATO? Will it confront China over Taiwan and install more tariffs, thus aggravating an already rocky relationship and further disrupt trade? Will it support Israel in a war with Iran? We are the proverbial 800-pound gorilla and everyone wants to stay informed.
I gingerly pick my way through my news feeds, consciously NOT opening some articles because the potential for disturbing news is too great. Unfortunately, the Law of Highway Accidents too often overrides my judgment. I just have to slow down and look, no matter how gruesome the news is.
Still, my days are full with writing my novel, learning Portuguese, regular visits to the gym, and relaxing moments with friends, both expat and Portuguese. Perhaps with a renewed effort to insulate myself from the turbulence from across the ocean, I can find peace and balance and only be reminded of the electoral chaos unfolding in the U.S. when I mark my ballot.
When all is said and done, we can only rely on ourselves to protect ourselves.
Steven, bravo on capturing what expats are both feeling and experiencing. Interesting enough, I’m reading news or watching videos about the US more now than when I was there.
We’re (America) leading, but not always by positive example and it’s scary. We can do better, we must. But with so many leaving I wonder how that will shift things…
This was lovely to read. Thank you my dear friend.
Lisa Hernández
(New York native/expat in Portugal)
Thanks, Lisa. It is sometimes hard to view the U.S. from abroad, but better here than be in the middle of it.
Thanks, Lisa. It is sometimes hard to view the U.S. from abroad, but better here than be in the middle of it.
Nice post, Steve. I can’t tell you how many times I’ve said to myself, “I really need to stop reading the news.” Sometimes daily. And sometimes I do pull myself away from it for brief periods. But I really need to find a way to stop completely. If something truly important happens, I’ll hear about it. But most of what we see is designed not to inform us but to draw us into the doom spiral.
That’s the trick, Stephen. How to self-filter? If you find a way, please share!
I want to thank those brave souls who moved into those red states, to try and make a difference. Those with their lone voices, moving into uncharted hostile territories. In part to ensure a vote of truth is heard and maybe to make a difference in the economy we all depend upon, by being at ground zero, in making our voice heard. Because effect change happens when people are face to face, with people you can see and maybe even come to trust. That is where true freedom is born.
There are those of us,who must stay to see to it that our social security, pension plans, and other financial benefits are not dismantled. To those who remain, who have boots on the ground, that can’t or won’t move. I recognize that you are the ones who hold all our fates in their hands. To those of you on the front line, I salute you for all you do.
Calvin, you’re words are brave, also. It takes courage to stay with the familiar, or leave for the unfamiliar.
Calvin, I think it goes without saying that it takes bravery to live through turbulent times. Just keep in mind that, eventually, they pass.
Great article Steve!
Dear Steve, I’m afraid I haven’t anything special to say, except that I’m actually suffering, like all of you, with what’s happening in the wonderful country we were born in. It’s being taken over by the kind of people who could NEVER have given birth to such a Special Country, to which anyone who could, would find a place to raise a Family with Love for one another and for all those who wished for a decent Life for Everyone Else. I’ve been living in Portugal for most of my Life, it just happened that way, but always very proud of where I was brought up! I’m also very proud of all of YOU, EXPATRIATES, FOR BEING THE WAY YOU ARE (Truly the “Americans” that the Portuguese loved to meet and know, the “Americans” that they always wished to live with and always hoped to have the chance to live where they came from. I KNOW THIS!
I’m so relieved for having heard from you, as I’ve been very worried about my long silence!
Helen, Thank you for your kind words. You moved to Portugal when it was Estado Novo so you’ve seen turbulent times. You’ve also seen the flowering of democracy and freedom. We all must weather the storm as best we can.
A tradução da última frase diz assim:
Feitas as contas, só podemos confiar em nós mesmos para nos protegermos.
Então eu deixo-te uma pergunta: Isso é vida?
Um abraço
Renato, Obrigado pelas suas palavras simpaticas. Minha resposta é: a vida nem sempre é fácil. É através das adversidades que crescemos. Isso eu acredito.
I always love reading what Steve writes and this was no exception. I still live here in the US and can only say I am hopeful that after the events of the last weekend the political rhetoric may actually change…but then I am a life long optimist. Either way its good to remember that life comes from you and not at you – I believe that you get what you expect and attract. So despite how much the news media loves to create drama, fear and feed the divide, when I go out and live in the country it is made up of good people who love it and treat each other with kindness and respect no matter their race, religion etc, etc.
So the news is generally best to be ignored – try to sift out the facts and ignore all the opinions!
Debbie, Yes, you are ever the optimist and I love you for that. It’s true — what happens between and among people has a large impact on how we experience life. We should all try to be kinder and more understanding in our day-to-day lives.
I’m also struggling with how to consume the news from America without stressing about it. It’s painful to watch democracy dying in the US, and I remain shocked that so many of my countrymen want to install a dictator.
Keith, I think a lot of people are bewildered by the situation in the U.S. and not just American citizens. The assassination attempt occurred after I wrote which only adds another layer of disorientation. If you haven’t register vote from overseas, do it today so your voice is heard!
Brravo! Well said Steve! I don’t disagree with you at all. I work very hard to tune out the news and not read those feeds on Facebook and listen to music that I love on the radio not NPR or the latest news report. However just as it filters into your world in Portugal so it filters in to my senses while living in the United States whether I wanted to or not. I do think you miss one important point though. You moved to another country in part to escape the crazy US political climate, but that country has its own problems. Every place has problems and I know from shares from you and Charles that you’ve experienced a little bit of discomfort due to problems in Portugal. Perhaps the United States’ problems are worse and the drama is more prolific but part of our duties as itizens is to try effect change in our own small way or else not complain about them. I love the way you write and I definitely love the points you make, but just remember where you live now has problems too and probably drama lol!