Coming Home Was Harder Than I Thought


Returning home after years abroad is an experience that surprises a lot of people even when you know it might be tricky. For my family and I, moving back to the UK after living in Germany and Taiwan wasn’t about careful planning or following a perfect plan. It was the right time for us as a family for a variety of reasons - but even knowing that, it has been harder than I expected in ways I didn’t fully anticipate.

Some things were familiar - the language, the streets, the routines. Others felt subtly different. Life has shifted, routines have changed and we’ve changed too. In many ways, it feels a little like starting again, even in a place that should feel like home.


Living abroad gave us experiences that were exciting, challenging and full of connection with new friends and communities. We built lives where relationships formed quickly and day-to-day life had a different energy and pace. Coming back home, some of that ease and openness wasn’t immediately there - and that took some adjusting.


Even as a health coach who supports people through change, I’ve had to remind myself to be patient - to give myself and my family time to settle and to adjust expectations for this stage of life. It’s not about replicating everything we had abroad, but about holding on to what worked well and bringing those positives into life here in ways that fit now.


Small things - keeping routines, carving out moments for calm, prioritising sleep, looking after your health and staying active - have been surprisingly powerful in helping us feel steady. 


Recognising that some discomfort and unexpected challenges are normal has been an important part of the process.


Repatriation isn’t just about logistics. It’s emotional and sometimes unexpectedly tricky. It’s also an opportunity - to reconnect with family, rediscover what “home” means now and build a life that works for this stage. 


Even when things feel different, there’s value in holding on to the experiences and habits that gave you a sense of purpose abroad and bringing them into this next chapter.


If you’re moving back - or going through any big change - my biggest takeaway is this: acknowledge that it’s hard, give yourself space to settle, focus on what you can control and remember the positives you can carry forward.


And if you’d like a bit of support - whether it’s adjusting to life abroad, coming home, or navigating any other kind of change - please do reach out to me at betterbalancecoach@gmail.com. I’d love to chat.

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