After years of living away, returning to the city where you grew up can stir up a whirlwind of emotions.
Memories, relationships, the people who shaped you —everything feels warmly nostalgic.
But sometimes, that’s not enough to make you stay.
Where is home when your story is scattered?
Seeing your high school friends again, laughing like before, recalling memories only you share —can make you feel at home… for a moment.
But adult life isn’t built on memories alone.
It also needs presence, projects, and possibilities.
And that’s where the expat’s dilemma often arises:
Where do I stay, if a part of me belongs to every place I’ve ever loved?
We’re not the first generation to emigrate —but we are one that wants to stay
Previous generations often emigrated with the intention of returning one day.
Today, many people seek to build a new home, aligned with their values, lifestyle, and worldview.
Returning sometimes isn’t an option.
Because the place of origin can feel too narrow, too rigid, or out of sync with the inner growth you’ve experienced.
Between emotional roots and conscious choice
Sometimes, your heart stays in one place… and your life blossoms in another.
It’s not easy.
It can hurt.
There may be sadness for what can’t be —and gratitude for what can.
Because choosing where to live is not just a practical decision —
it’s an emotional, cultural, political, and existential one.
- Where you will grow old
- Where you feel free
- Where you want to raise a family
- Where you can live as your true self
It’s not just about language or work
To emigrate is more than relocating.
It means leaving behind and starting anew.
Saying goodbye to old versions of yourself —and building new ones.
It involves grief, discovery, contradiction —and freedom.
A space to support you through the journey
Gestalt psychocounselling offers a space to explore your expat experience, understand what you’re feeling, and support you in making decisions with clarity, calm and coherence.
If you’re currently navigating this process —or considering a big step—
this space can help you hold the complexity and find your center amidst the movement.
