So you’ve made the decision to move… now what?

The emotional rollercoaster no one talks about, but every expat goes through.

January 4, 2026

You’re Not Crazy. You’re Becoming Someone New

Hi Friend,

Before the holidays, I had a conversation with a friend who’s deep in the final stages of moving abroad. The house is packed. Boxes everywhere. The family has moved out. It’s real now.

And what she said stuck with me:

“I thought I’d feel nothing but excitement… but instead, I’m asking myself, what am I even doing?”

I smiled.

Because I knew that exact feeling.

The Identity Shift No One Prepares You For

When you decide to move abroad, there’s this surge of energy at first.

You’re dreaming out loud. Making plans. Researching schools. Watching YouTube videos about grocery stores in Lisbon or life in Bali.

But then right around the corner comes this quiet, unnerving question:

“Am I actually doing this?”

And with it comes a wave of emotions:

• Denial: Is this too drastic? Should I just stay and figure it out here?

• Fear: Will we be okay? What if I don’t make friends?

• Uncertainty: What will I do with myself once we land?

If this is you, just know:

You’re not crazy. You’re becoming someone new.

Your identity is stretching.

You’re grieving what was.

And making space for what will be.

And that’s exactly what this journey asks of you.

I’ve moved my family across borders more than once, and every single time, these feelings came with me.

They weren’t signs to stop.

They were proof that I was letting go of the familiar to claim something bigger.

I’ll Be Sharing More Soon…

This conversation stirred something in me, and I’ll be writing a longer article soon to break down the emotional phases of the expat identity shift and how to move through them with grace.

But today, I just wanted to remind you of this:

If you’re questioning everything… that means you’re doing something bold. Something brave. And something right.

You’ve got this.

And if you need someone who gets it, I’m right here.

In the journey with you,

Sonaya

Founder, Your Expat Life