There are dozens, sometimes hundreds of moments in a given day when I look around and I simply don't recognize this place anymore. It all seems terrifyingly foreign. Maybe you understand what I’m talking about... johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/the-americ... - ThreadSky

johnpavlovitz.bsky.social • 3 days ago

There are dozens, sometimes hundreds of moments in a given day when I look around and I simply don't recognize this place anymore. It all seems terrifyingly foreign. Maybe you understand what I’m talking about...

https://johnpavlovitz.substack.com/p/the-american-dream-of-being-an-expat

Comments

blissb33.bsky.social•2 days ago

debra-in-guatemala.bsky.social•3 days ago

I moved away almost 10 years ago. It doesnt take away the current sadness and shock, but the bit of buffering helps.

psychopete.bsky.social•3 days ago

My family thinks I have had a stroke. I am normally loud and talkative. I have become quiet and not talkative. I have assured them I have not had a stroke, but the effect of living under fascism is the same: numbness.

don-shea.bsky.social•3 days ago

Same here. A daily depression.

waitingfortheday.bsky.social•3 days ago

Trauma, depression, anxiety

katmorris.bsky.social•3 days ago

I’ve just become really hard to be around. I can’t bear ANY display of dominance. A whiff of gaslighting sends me into a tizzy. I’m perpetually angry and I can’t bear to be around people who want to march along as if nothing were happening.

don-shea.bsky.social•3 days ago

I absolutely know what you’re talking about. It was like this his first go around as well. But this time it’s a darker, more sinister, heavy feeling.

majordopolis.bsky.social•3 days ago

I'm looking now

kathynm59.bsky.social•3 days ago

Right there with you!

exit75.bsky.social•3 days ago

I don't so much want to be an expat as I want my Oregon to be its own country, with Washington & California & Hawaii

feraljoe.bsky.social•3 days ago

I want the NE states to do the same or become a new province.

exit75.bsky.social•2 days ago

I honestly love the idea of several states joining Canada. I've never felt more at home anywhere else than in BC.

feraljoe.bsky.social•2 days ago

Same with Ontario and Quebec for me.

deadlynightjade.bsky.social•3 days ago

Wanting to leave. Not knowing where to go. Not wanting to concede the battle for the country that shaped us, the nation of "E Pluribus Unum". How did we get here? Your words capture the sentiment eloquently.

curiousdan60.bsky.social•3 days ago

I do. I left. Now in Italy I couldn’t be happier. In Vietnam now for two months. Follow me on Instagram and let me know if you have any questions!! _curious_dan

candystrata.bsky.social•3 days ago

It just feels surreal, terrifying and foreign…

maryinmt.bsky.social•3 days ago

Thank you. My feelings exactly. Lost in what we have become and wanting to leave, but at 70 y/o too old to move. I am a fan of Star Trek because it gives us an example of the hope and promise of America and what we (and the world) could become if we would listen to our better angels. We in the USA

debra-in-guatemala.bsky.social•3 days ago

I'm 70; it's easy to do

maryinmt.bsky.social•3 days ago

have much to overcome - slavery, racism, misogyny, and near genocide with our indigenous population. We need to search deep for our shared humanity, that we are stronger together. And yes, there is infinite diversity in in infinite combinations. My optimism leaves me to believe we will get there at

maryinmt.bsky.social•3 days ago

some point, but unfortunately am quit certain it will not happen in my lifetime.

karenoia.bsky.social•2 days ago

We have 70+ moving to Portugal everyday. My friend's dad moved with them at 84, reversed diabetes and became popular with the ladies. ..🧐

kincheloe.bsky.social•3 days ago

I feel like I’m in a nightmare that I can’t escape and which only gets worse

vppark.bsky.social•3 days ago

📌

butterflynow.bsky.social•2 days ago

Exactly this

wildcanary.bsky.social•3 days ago

"I still have dreams of what this place can be: not a mythical land born of the uninformed nostalgia of white supremacists, but a tangible incarnation of the best of its stated aspirations." ✊

altony.bsky.social•2 days ago

As an owner of a behavior therapy company, we provide therapy to children with autism who predominantly have Medicaid. We will lose everything if these Medicaid cuts go through, I’ll be forced to go overseas to work.. looking into London

time4sanity.bsky.social•3 days ago

We're all here with you feeling the same estrangement from what we all thought we knew

saltycanuck.bsky.social•3 days ago

Perhaps it’s because the American dream has been stolen.

perrywebber.bsky.social•3 days ago

So eloquently said, what so many of us are experiencing, as we see people in the light, what can no longer be hidden in the dark. It’s real loss, grief.

avislovesziggy.bsky.social•3 days ago

"And yet, I know that would feel like surrender...". My exact thoughts. My exact feelings.

adriangenx1969.bsky.social•3 days ago

Here is a fact John....grow some balls and stop with the I'm so terrified bullshit...take some lessons from AOC or Representative Crockett...pussy

zandra-b.bsky.social•3 days ago

loretta515.bsky.social•3 days ago

Absolutely

dead-bob.bsky.social•3 days ago

I fully expect both Canada and Mexico to close borders to Americans any day now.....

marylib.bsky.social•2 days ago

Right there with you, John. These days—days I once thought I’d spend a bit more carefree as a retiree—I’m thinking a lot about whether my kids and very young grandkids will stay or go. I’m deeply saddened by what it appears we will be leaving their gens, but will not yet abandon hope & action.

scot-free.bsky.social•3 days ago

Well, you need to talk to your fellow Americans!
THEY brought this upon themselves!
And now it’s time to pay the Piper!
You all thought what the 🤡 was doing to America was bad. Well now he’s upset the whole world - and all Americans are going to pay the price!

beano53.bsky.social•2 days ago

Since 1989 I've had a dream of leaving the country, not out of fear, but for adventure. My passion is to see the world, to know other peoples. In younger days, my backpack and I travelled 49 countries. Now as a retiree, I'm up to 56. My travel passion is rising again...and so is my fear of staying.

iluvprogtears.bsky.social•2 days ago

When you have to Press 1 for English I understand your point.

lynieb.bsky.social•3 days ago

I blame myself for not recognizing the monsters behind the faces of those I thought I knew.

bigpoison.bsky.social•3 days ago

Misspelled immigrant.

katmorris.bsky.social•3 days ago

I’ll join you. Where are we going?

minnesnowtame.bsky.social•2 days ago

EVERY. single. day. 😥

wanderer4ever.bsky.social•1 day ago

WOW @johnpavlovitz.bsky.social this sums up how I’m feeling. Thank you.

karenoia.bsky.social•2 days ago

We retired early and moved to Portugal in 2022. Initially as a bridge to medicare. We said we'd reevaluate returning then. There's no way we're going back now. We pay US taxes and * think we voted but the link to confirm didn't work.🤷🏻‍♀️ We left for happy reasons. It takes a lot of work!

celnet2.bsky.social•2 days ago

You contribute to your local economy and volunteer in your local communities. You live your faith and are good stewards and citizens. I’m proud to know and love you! 🥰 🇵🇹🇺🇦

bleu-stocking.bsky.social•3 days ago

I feel like George Bailey who suddenly finds himself in _Pottersville_. It looks about the same as Bedford Falls, but it’s sleazy, greedy, heartless, & mean. Not a place we want to live in! America has to choose. Live in the Slums of Pottersville, or demand a better life !

jxsgrma.bsky.social•3 days ago

Right there with you......If I could afford to leave i would......but I hope we can return to sanity one day

phillygirlinnj.bsky.social•3 days ago

If I could afford to leave, I would. I have an overwhelming felling of dread and I want to protect my family. 💔

sheresistedtwice.bsky.social•2 days ago

I consider leaving the US at least daily now. Both the prospects of staying and of leaving make me incredibly sad.

inventreinvent.bsky.social•2 days ago

This is very reflective and well written and I think pinpoints a feeling a lot of us are having not just at this second but for a while.

I know I am.

Thank you.

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