You Can't Find Your Favorite Products in Another Country? What Now?
Learn to be Adaptable!
If you’re going to move to another country or become a digital nomad and can’t find your beloved products in your new country or area, it will help tremendously if you are adaptable. If you’re not, you can learn to be.
Finding a New Path:
There are a lot of FB posts about the topic of heartache and frustration over not finding one’s coveted products in a new country. “What can’t I find in Portugal that I should bring with me?” is a common group question. Many expat friends who live in Portugal, bemoan that they can't find xyz item of choice.
I know quite a few expats who shop at three or more different grocery stores to find all their new specific items of choice. And while there's absolutely nothing wrong with that, it's also time-consuming. And… it's something I don't do.
What's the alternative?
Discovering new items!
In the past, I have not been immune to this phenomenon. The first time I moved from one neighborhood in San Francisco to another I worried about not being able to find my favorite items in my new neighborhood. But what I discovered is I usually found substitutes that were just as good or even better.
I know we get used to things and most humans don't love change. I can relate. But why not try?
When I moved to Portugal, I had a specific hair care brand and skin care regimen that I could not find here. I take a fair amount of supplements and I couldn't find them here either.
But what I did instead was look for new items. I asked women with curly hair what products they used and tried those. When I went to a curly hair salon I found out what was recommended and tried it. I asked my pharmacist what supplements could replace the ones I knew and had brought from the states. And you know what? I discovered better and less expensive alternatives, for every single thing.
If there's something I love from the US and I can't find it here, I move on. I change, adapt and try new things.
This is a really important topic. It was brought to my attention as a friend recently explained how she had to go to a certain market because it was the only market to have a specific staple product she likes. And I get that's important to her. But every market has the same staples, but not always the same brands. She couldn't get to this one market and they don't deliver. So why not try something else?
I have tried many different products in the eighteen months that I've lived here and I have found some I love and others I don't. None of my forays have hurt me. If anything, it's expanded my palate, my knowledge and often times it's even exciting.
After living in Portugal for eighteen months, I've developed new favorite brands I’ll be sad to lose if I leave. But I know from experience that changing locations means discovering pleasures yet unknown.
When I visited the US for a month last year, I didn't bring much with me. I didn't want the extra weight. I borrowed or purchased new, small amounts, of product there.
I am not telling you what you have to do or even what you should do. I am suggesting you try an alternative. At first it will be uncomfortable but if you approach it as a new adventure, you may be in for a wonderful surprise.
Adaptability, for me, was learned and I'm still exploring and pushing the envelope with it.
Finding where the comfort ends and the fear begins we can allow ourselves to push past it when it feels right to do so.
Adaptability is a lifelong practice of pushing against, and hopefully through your comfort zones for wonderful surprises.
Start with small adaptive steps or dive right in. What matters is making the effort.
Because if I, the least-spontaneous person you will ever meet, can tackle it, so can you!
All you need is to develop an open and curious mindset. The rewards far outweigh any perceived risks or loss.
Thank you so much for reading! If you don’t want to become a paid subscriber but enjoyed this article, you can buy me a coffee below or simply share this article with a friend. Your support (in all ways) is greatly appreciated!
I'd love your support through a (free) subscription to get my weekly articles and podcast delivered to your inbox. A like, comment or a share also helps tremendously!
For short, how-to, personal tidbits and informational vids on living in Portugal, check TikTok.
For photos of Portugal and travels (including vanlife) please follow on instagram.
For Facebook users, you can find the FB page here.
The old/er podcast (live your dream and how to travel full time) is on the website.
Thank you so much for being here and please don’t hesitate to reach out!
I find the same thing living in Mexico, but with some of the "comfort" foods I like. Come around November, I would kill for a slice of pecan pie🙂. But, as you point out, finding new things to like is much more enjoyable than having unfettered access to the old.
Once you learn to live with what's there, things are much easier. BUT I will say, you can sometimes save some money if you pack for your move abroad accordingly. Before moving, it's helpful to know what you'll want that's really expensive in your new home. For Ecuador, that was electronics, so I was sure to have a new computer when I moved there. For Moldova, it was sheets and towels--yes, of course they have sheets and towels there; but the quality I wanted was way cheaper in the US, so I moved there with them. For Mexico, well, it's just my Chaco sandals! I was sure to get a new pair in the US. It all really comes down to luxuries, though, right?