🎧 The Emotional Side of Expat Life: A Conversation on the Nomadic Diaries Podcast
Recently, I had the pleasure of joining Doreen Cumberford on the Nomadic Diaries podcast to talk about something that is often overlooked when people move abroad: the emotional side of expat life.
It was such a warm, thoughtful conversation – one that felt very real and human. I’m truly grateful to Doreen for creating this space, and for all the work she does to support and connect the international community.
In this 37-minute episode, we explore what often sits beneath the surface of relocation. Many people prepare carefully for visas, housing and logistics – yet the inner journey can be far more complex than expected.
We spoke about the emotional layers of living internationally: identity shifts, loneliness, culture shock, and the deeper patterns that shape how we experience life abroad.
Some of the themes that emerged in our conversation include:
- How expats underestimate the emotional impact of relocation
- Why saying goodbye well matters for how we arrive in a new country
- How isolation can make it harder to recognise when support is needed
- Why support is not only about crisis — it can also support growth and transition
- And the role of transgenerational patterns in shaping our experience.
Living internationally can be one of life’s most transformative experiences. But like any meaningful journey, it also brings moments of uncertainty, growth and self-discovery. At its heart, the episode is a reminder that moving abroad is not just a logistical journey – it is a deeply personal one.
Happy listening! ✨
Find the full conversation:
Nomadic Diaries
https://www.nomadicdiariespodcast.com/packed-your-bags-but-forgot-your-mind-the-emotional-side-of-expat-life/
Apple Podcasts
https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/packed-your-bags-but-forgot-your-mind-the-emotional/id1706683966?i=1000750225019
LinkedIn
https://www.linkedin.com/feed/update/urn:li:activity:7430307796148989953/
What has surprised you most about the emotional side of living abroad?
PHOTO: Kindel Media/Pexels