Is Brussels where I want to go?

[luckykaa]

This is one of those things where I simply don't trust my instincts.  My instincts say I want a nice safe easy life, and shouldn't do anything adventurous. From experience, and a couple of improv classes, I have learned that "Yes" is nearly always the right answer.  Still, I'm feeling the stress is getting to me.

So here's the rundown.  Job in Brussels.  With Sony.  12 month contract.  Good pay (probably. Taxes are hard to work out).  Far enough away and long enough contract that it makes sense to relocate. 

On one hand, it's an opportunity.  I haven't worked in another country before.  The company speaks English, and it's not too far from England. Hell, in terms of travel time it's not much further than Bristol, and I go there all the time. I've been quite keen on the idea of working in another country for a while.  And they have nice beer. Plus I feel I'm risking getting stuck in a rut.  I'll be moving out of my place in Brighton which will save me a fair bit, and the pay is good so I'll be saving up a hefty chunk of cash for a deposit.

On the other hand, I was looking forward to having a month or so off.  I really do love Brighton.  I love the people here.  I want to do a few gaming sessions.  I don't know anyone in Brussels.  I love this house I'm renting. And this is a lot of work with very little time to arrange anything.  I have a lot of other things that I wanted to spend time on.  Brussels would be interesting but it's never really been a place I've felt I absolutely must live in.  Australia appeals to me, and so does Sweden for some inexplicable reason, but Brussels I'm not so sure about. And i don't speak much French.

Gripping hand is, I've absolutely no idea whether I should actually accept this. 

Comments

[chess]

It sounds to me you will regret it more if you don't go than if you do, even if it turns out to be awful.

If you go and it sucks, then sure, you've wasted some time and not got some stuff done you wanted to do - but you will at least be in a position of certainty, and feel good about trying something even if it didn't work out.

If you don't go, you will never know whether it would have dragged you out of your rut or not, and you're likely to carry that 'what if' with you for much longer than any inconvenience from doing it will last.

[luckykaa.livejournal.com]

Thanks chess.

Yeah, it does ultimately come down to regretting something I have done against something I haven't.

[nayela.livejournal.com]

Basically, what Chess said. I think this is a very good opportunity for you to get out of that rut that you've been complaining about for at least two years. Go for it, and see where it takes you.

[luckykaa.livejournal.com]

It's not a single rut. It's multiple ruts that I've been popping in and out of for a while.

[xenaclone.livejournal.com]

You could always take some catch-up French lessons before you go; just enough to let you exchange greetings and understand a menu. If it was me, I'd go for it.

Best of luck!

[jeanieofoz.livejournal.com]

Can you sublet the house you are in?

[the-smut-fairy.livejournal.com]

It's only 12 months, it's not like you're emigrating. Don't worry about inability to speak French, because a) you can learn (and maybe meet more interesting people while you're at it) and b) it's EU-HQ-land, they're quite used to dealing with non-francophones who aren't living there permanently.

[emmzzi.livejournal.com]

if the notice period is less than a month go for it. You can survive anything for a month. And logistics are easy if you throw money at them. If you can afford 2 months off you can afford to throw money at logistics.

[omylouse.livejournal.com]

What Chess said :)

[tanisafan.livejournal.com]

I agree too! And it's Brussels, pretty much everyone speaks English ;).

[xanthipe]

If it helps, Brussels is a nice place - I lived in Overijse (south east of Brussels) for a couple of years, and while I have no doubt it's changed I still have fond memories.

And yes, most people do speak English to some degree.

[invisigoth51.livejournal.com]

Just go! You'll have fun, you can always come back again if you hate it!