Expat life: I feel like I don't belong 

I feel like an outsider at home, at least when your away you truly are an outsider and you can watch the world matter of factly.

So good to hear my own thoughts coming out of someone else's mouth! I am a Brazilian living 5 years in Germany now. Just moved to a new city (again), and passing through some of those hard days you mentioned. I am glad I searched with the right words to find you here. We are all on the same boat, far from special struggles, listening to you made me look forward to tomorrow again :) thanks for sharing!

I have lived as an expatriate my entire life, born into a Somali family, raised in Dubai, and then moved to Germany for university. Now at 25, I have finally graduated, but I struggle with my own sense of identity. I find myself adapting my behavior depending on the cultural group I am with, whether it's Arabs, Somalis, or Germans. I am fluent in Somali, Arabic, English, and German, yet I still feel like a fraud and doubt that I will ever truly fit in. It's ironic how people often idealize multilingualism as a way to bridge cultures, when in reality, it can lead to significant cultural disorientation and a perpetual feeling of not quite belonging, at least in my experience.

This is true for so many of us. Thanks for sharing in a heartfelt way. Most people are suffering alone with the feelings that you described. Thanks for creating a community of expats who share similar journeys in life. Good luck to you and all those who watch your videos 🙌

Such a good video! I have to remind myself sometimes why I left my home country. Likewise, I had no idea what to expect as I started growing up in a foreign environment while feeling guilty about the people I left behind. Belonging seems to be an ever-moving target. I agree, that acceptance of our chosen lifestyle is a path to feeling more "at home." Flexibility is key instead of holding on to a static identity. Your words are encouraging!

When vacating and exchanging one's own culture and language for another, it takes much time and effort to make it work. It's never easy. As I've always said "Patience is a virtue perfected when living abroad!"

I left home at 16 and have been an expat all my life. Now 53 years old I moved to my home country 6 months ago. I can honestly say that the place I feel most alone and most a stranger, is home.

An issue behind so much expat and dig nomad media- you address it so well. Thanks for doing this. It seems that once the trajectory is set in exploring many places, locals that you meet tend to not relate because they did not have that range of experiences. It seems to start with not feeling belonging and it definitely seems to lead to this feeling too. But adventures are certainly had- experience of the extra ordinary in place of belonging I guess.

Felt like this forever, Thank you for sharing -Well said!! agree 100%, love the music choice and the layout - to just become an Expat is to belong to a group who never gave up and kept on going! we are a unique bunch, our inability to "fit in" is a blessing once you go within and open

wow! this is what I really needed to hear. Thank you thank you thank you

Same here, but I am learning that we don not have to belong to a specific place. No matter where we are, we can always meet our basic needs and feel connected with nature and people, the latter is hard when you are an introvert, but not impossible. It is important that your emotional stability does not depend on external circumstances.

From Scandinavia. Lived in some Scandinavian countries, Canada, the U.S and went to south America and Asia. Glad i did and I will move soon again. I mean.. I feel like an expatI even in my own country. Have an idea what I am searching for more at this point. It`s about finding that place, right? :) You did hit a nerve with this video. What is your country of origin and how long have you been an expat and where have you been?

I cried watching this video. You expressed exactly what I needed to hear. I’m a new expat and today was rough. I sat in a chair and hid from the world with no idea what I was feeling, except that it wasn’t good. I feel things as an expat I have never felt before and it can be hard processing those emotions. Thank you so much for awakening in me what I needed to realize. I really am grateful.

Yes, we will never be the same.

Thank you ❤

I very much enjoyed this video essay. I have not moved from my home country but if I decide to do so, I think this video will come in handy

I love this video! Thank you much for sharing all this information! Are you going to create more?

girl you made me cry 😭😭😭😭😭😭

100% agree

Mari. What you're talking about is the "love and belonging" step on Maslow's hierarchy of needs. What I will say is in my own country I had at least some sense of belonging even if I took this for granted. Likewise in the UK, I felt a decent amount of acceptance from people in the community, at work or just in general. Let's just say I never felt so totally isolated in either of these countries. However in Central Europe, If I could rate my experience out of 10 here, specifically relating to "Love and belonging" I would give it about a 1/10. It hasn't gotten much better either in the 15 years I've been here. I very much feel like some kind of Marsan living here rather than a relatable human being. It's not just the language, it's more than that. Likewise it isn't the culture either. It's more than that. I sent you a request on instagram, and would like to tell you my full story, and perhaps you can somewhat relate to it.

❤🙏

I don't even need to watch I don't belong All my fam is in the north of England I've lived in Australia for 12 years But I've not found my people there either I'm always on the outskirts, on the periferals of groups, social even, friends groups. Everyone else seems to be able to do it I never meet ppl, ,men, partners. I don't know how to do that what ever country I am in

How are you doing now?

How are you doing now? Much love ❤️

Where are you originally from?

Why you have to belong somewhere?

I feel like I dont belong this planet :)