Returning home after years of living abroad can be an emotional experience. Many of us face with questions like, “Was it a mistake to come back?”, “Did I fail by moving back home?” or “Will I fit in again?”. If you’re searching for answers to these questions, you’re not alone. This blog will guide you through the journey of readjusting and finding peace after returning home.

How to adjust to being back home

Adjusting to life after living abroad often involves mixed feelings of excitement and anxiety. One of the most common difficulties can be a reverse culture shock. While culture shock is something many experience when they first move abroad, reverse culture shock occurs when you return home and find that familiar feels strangely unfamiliar. This can feel confusing but it’s a natural part of the process.

Reverse culture shock typically has 4 phases:

1. Honeymoon phase: You feel excited and relieved to be back home, and you can’t wait to reconnect with loved ones and familiar places.
2. Frustration phase: As the excitement wears off, you might feel frustrated or disconnected. Things that once felt normal, may now seem odd and you start longing for aspects of the life you left behind. This can be the most challenging part, because here is where the doubts begin to sneak in.
3. Readjustment phase: Gradually you begin to adapt to being back home. You start to find a balance between the old and the new and things start to feel more comfortable again.
4. Mastery phase: Eventually, you fully reintegrate into your home life. You’ve accepted the changes and you blend your experiences abroad with your life at home. This phase represents a newfound sense of stability and contentment.

Tips for coping with reverse culture shock and adjust to being home

While it’s a normal part of the transition, there are some ways to make the process smoother:

Feel your feelings

It’s important to recognize your emotions. Feeling frustrated or even sad is normal. Allowing yourself to process these feelings is the first step toward healing.

Stay connected

Reach out to friends and family, both home and abroad. Spend time revisiting places and activities you loved before you left. Sharing your experiences with your loved ones can provide comfort and help you feel less isolated.

Build a support network

Surround yourself with people who understand your journey. This could include reconnecting with old friends and joining local and/or expat communities in your area.

Create a new routine

Having a daily routine can help you feel a sense of control and stability.

Focus on self-care

Taking care of yourself mentally and physically helps you manage stress and stay grounded.

Stay curious

Just because you’re home doesn’t mean that the adventure is over. Continue exploring new places in your home country or plan a future trip to countries on your bucket list. Having something to look forward to keeps you motivated.

Be patient

Adjusting takes time! Be kind to yourself and allow yourself to adapt to your own space.

Lessons learned while living abroad

One of the most important lessons I’ve learned is that we often want to be where we are not.

We fantasize about how incredible our experiences are going to be in some far-off place. When we are finally in our dream place, and some flaws appear, we tend to start thinking of the next place. We convince ourselves that the grass is greener somewhere else. But the truth is, it’s not about where you are or what you’re doing—it’s about who you are and who you choose to be.

I have learned that if I want to truly enjoy my life, I need to stop chasing everything outside of myself and start to look at how I can be more present and grateful for what is already in front of me.

There’s been a lot of pressure to keep moving, to keep traveling—especially after doing it for years. I often get asked, “But why did you move back?” It kind of feels like that is what is expected of you.

Society romanticizes the idea of constant travel as the ultimate form of freedom, but for me, freedom is so much deeper. Freedom is not about how many countries you’ve visited, but it’s about the ability to choose where you feel most at peace without guilt fear, or judgment.

Don’t get me wrong – traveling is incredible. It’s the ultimate way of learning about yourself, meeting amazing people, and exploring the beautiful world we live in. But I also think it’s incredible to have a place where you can feel grounded and safe. A place where you can enjoy the comforts of home: your bed, your animals, the smell of coffee brewing in your kitchen, and the routine that brings a sense of stability and peace.

Final thoughts

All of us are in different stages of our lives. Some of us are eager to break free from mundane life and seek new adventures. While others are looking to ground themselves and find more stability in a place, we can truly call home. Neither choice is right or wrong – what matters is that you follow the path that feels true to you.

Returning home after years of exploring is not a step backward or a sign of giving up. It’s a conscious choice to embrace what truly brings you peace and contentment. Just as finding a new home away from your homeland is a courageous step toward the life you envision. Both of these paths are valid, and both should be celebrated.

It’s important to remember that life is not about following a specific idea of freedom. Whether you choose to settle down in your homeland or build a new life somewhere else. What matters is that you feel at peace with your decision. Your journey is uniquely yours, and there is no need to compare it to anyone else’s.

So, take a moment this week to reflect on your journey. Have you ever felt pressured to keep moving, searching for freedom? Or have you found contentment in staying put?

Trust that you are exactly where you need to be!

I truly hope you find peace and contentment wherever you are in this beautiful world.