
Blogging While Living Abroad: A Swedish Man’s Journey in Shanghai
Oct 9, 2024
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Living abroad can be one of the most enriching experiences a person can have, and when combined with blogging, it becomes a powerful way to document and share your life with others. As a Swedish man who has been living in Shanghai for years with my family, blogging has not only helped me stay connected with my roots but also navigate the daily challenges of expat life. This is my journey of balancing family life and running a blog while living abroad in one of the world’s most dynamic cities.
Life as a Swedish Blogger in Shanghai
When I first moved from Sweden to Shanghai with my family, everything felt unfamiliar. The sounds, the sights, even the smell of the city were overwhelming at first. Coming from a small town like Tibro, where life moved at a slower pace, Shanghai’s endless hustle and towering skyscrapers felt like stepping into another world.
It didn’t take long for me to realize that I needed a way to process and reflect on this new chapter of my life. Blogging became my outlet. Through my blog, I shared my experiences, from navigating the Chinese business world to exploring the hidden corners of Shanghai. My blog became a way to keep in touch with my friends and family back in Sweden, who were curious about our new life in China, and it also started to attract an international audience curious about life in this fascinating part of the world.
Why Blogging While Living Abroad is Unique
Blogging while living abroad offers a unique perspective. You’re not just writing from the comfort of your home country but are in the thick of a new culture, experiencing the world in ways that many of your readers haven’t. Living in Shanghai has given me endless material to write about, from exploring the city’s ever-evolving skyline to the small cultural quirks that I encounter daily.
For example, adjusting to the pace of life in China has been one of the more striking experiences. In Sweden, things tend to run in an orderly fashion — punctuality is expected, and systems generally work as intended. In Shanghai, however, things can be more unpredictable. There’s a saying here: “没有办法 (Meiyou banfa)” which means “there’s no way” or “it can’t be helped.” It’s often used when things don’t go according to plan. This mindset has challenged my way of thinking and has given me plenty to reflect on in my blog posts.
Another unique aspect of living in Shanghai is the mix of old and new. One moment, you’re standing in a 600-year-old temple, and the next, you’re sipping coffee in a futuristic skyscraper. This contrast constantly reminds me how unique this city is, providing me with ample stories to share with my readers.
Balancing Family Life and Blogging
As much as I enjoy blogging, it’s not always easy to balance it with family life. I have two kids, Charlie and Henry, and raising them in Shanghai brings its own set of challenges and rewards. From helping them adapt to life in a megacity to managing school and activities, my days are often packed. Yet, this also gives me endless inspiration for my blog. Whether it's writing about navigating Shanghai’s education system or sharing how our family adjusts to new cultural norms, family life often finds its way into my posts.
For example, Charlie recently competed in an adult chess tournament here in Shanghai, and that experience turned into a blog post about raising a competitive, curious child in a city that offers so many unique opportunities. The act of writing helps me process these moments, and I find that readers — especially fellow expat parents — connect with these family-oriented stories.
One tip for balancing blogging with family life is to keep a flexible but consistent schedule. I try to dedicate specific times during the week for writing, usually early mornings or evenings when the house is quieter. It’s important to stay disciplined, but I also remind myself that it’s okay if life gets in the way sometimes.
Connecting with Readers from Around the World
One of the most rewarding aspects of blogging while living abroad is the connection I’ve built with readers from all over the world. Initially, I started the blog as a way to update friends and family back in Sweden. But as time went on, I found that I was connecting with fellow Swedes living abroad, expats from different countries, and even people who were simply curious about life in China.
What surprised me most was how universal some of my experiences were. Many readers from completely different backgrounds found common ground in the themes of adjusting to a new culture, dealing with homesickness, and navigating the highs and lows of family life in a foreign land.
Authenticity is key to building these connections. I don’t try to sugarcoat the difficulties or exaggerate the highlights. Life abroad is full of both, and I’ve found that being honest about that resonates the most with my audience.
Challenges of Blogging in a Foreign Country
Blogging in China, of course, comes with its own set of challenges. For one, there’s the Great Firewall. Accessing certain platforms like Google, Facebook, and even some blogging websites can be difficult without a VPN. But beyond that, there’s the cultural and language barrier. Writing in Swedish or English while living in China sometimes feels like operating in two different worlds, and it can be difficult to fully capture experiences that are so deeply tied to the Chinese language and culture.
Another challenge is simply staying motivated during times of cultural adjustment. There are moments when living abroad feels isolating, and the blog becomes both a blessing and a burden. It’s a commitment, and some days I don’t feel inspired to write. But I’ve learned that these lulls are natural, and the blog serves as a helpful way to process those feelings, turning challenges into stories that others can relate to.
Tips for Aspiring Expat Bloggers
For anyone thinking of starting a blog while living abroad, I have a few tips:
Find Your Niche: Whether it’s family life, business, travel, or cultural insights, focus on what you are passionate about. Readers connect more with authentic stories, and it’s easier to stay consistent when you’re writing about something that truly interests you.
Stay Consistent: Life abroad can be unpredictable, but try to keep a regular posting schedule. It helps build a readership and gives you a creative outlet to process your experiences.
Engage with Your Audience: Don’t be afraid to interact with your readers. Whether through blog comments, social media, or email newsletters, building a community around your blog can be incredibly rewarding.
Conclusion: The Rewards of Blogging Abroad
Blogging has enriched my experience of living abroad, allowing me to document not just the big moments, but also the small, everyday ones that make life in Shanghai so fascinating. It has helped me stay connected with my roots in Sweden while embracing a new life in China, and along the way, it’s allowed me to connect with a global audience of readers who are navigating similar journeys.
If you’re living abroad or thinking about it, I highly encourage you to start a blog. Not only does it help you process your experiences, but it also allows you to share your unique perspective with the world. And who knows? You may just find that your journey resonates with more people than you expect.