Not sure how to tell friends and family you’re moving abroad? Here are 5 thoughtful tips to share the news with clarity, compassion, and confidence.

Moving abroad is full of excitement and possibility—but let’s be honest, telling your friends and family can feel like one of the hardest steps.

Whether you’re relocating for work, love, adventure, or a new beginning, sharing the news often brings a mix of emotions—for you and for them. The good news? There’s a way to approach this moment with confidence, care, and clarity.

These five practical tips will help you have more meaningful conversations and maintain strong relationships, even as your life changes in big ways.

Before you sit down to share your decision, take time to reflect. Why are you moving? What do you hope this move will bring into your life?

Ask yourself:

• What am I hoping to achieve?
• How does this support my long-term goals?
• What excites me about this next chapter?

When you’re clear on your motivation, it becomes easier to explain your decision without sounding like you’re running away from something. For example, instead of saying, “I just can’t stay here anymore,” try:

“I’m really excited about this opportunity—it aligns with my goals and the kind of life I want to create.”

That positive framing can make a big difference in how your loved ones receive the news.

You might hope for cheers, hugs, and instant support—but not everyone will react that way right away. And that’s okay.

People often need time to process big news. Their reactions may be shaped by their own fears, grief, or even envy. The key here? You can’t control their emotions, only how you respond.

Try to:

• Be patient

• Stay calm

• Avoid taking things personally

• Gently reassure them that your move doesn’t mean losing the relationship

One of the biggest concerns your loved ones may have is, “Will we stay in touch?” Having a plan helps ease that fear and shows them you’re committed to maintaining the relationship—even from a distance.

Some easy ways to stay connected:

• Set up monthly video calls

• Start a shared photo album or group chat

• Create birthday or anniversary reminders

• Send postcards or handwritten notes now and then (yes, real mail still matters!)
  

Staying connected doesn’t have to be complicated—it just needs to be intentional.

Goodbyes can be emotional—but they can also be beautiful and bonding moments if you give them thought.

Here are a few ideas:

• Host a casual farewell get-together

• Give small, meaningful gifts (like a mug, photo, or keepsake you won’t bring with you)

• Write a heartfelt letter to someone special

• Create a “memory jar” where friends write down their favorite moment with you
  

One of my clients from the Master Your Move program gave her friends mugs she couldn’t pack, each with a handwritten note. It turned her goodbye into a celebration of connection—not a loss.

Start by making a list of who you want to tell personally—parents, siblings, best friends, mentors. Share your news:

• In person, when possible

• Via video call for long-distance loved ones

• Avoid text or email for your inner circle—it can feel cold or distant
  

After you’ve told your closest people, feel free to post on social media. This ensures no one important hears the news second-hand or feels overlooked.

Coordinating how and when you share your news matters. If you have a big family or friend group, try to inform everyone within a short window of time. You don’t want someone feeling left out or hearing the news second-hand.

A simple heads-up message like “I’d love to share some news with you this week—can we chat soon?” can go a long way toward keeping things smooth.

Telling people you’re moving abroad doesn’t have to be awkward or stressful. With a little preparation and a lot of heart, this moment can deepen your relationships—not strain them.

Remember: you’re not just leaving—you’re growing. And the people who love you will want to grow with you, even from afar.

If you’re planning an international move and want guidance through every step—from logistics to emotional transition—check out the Expat Journey Program. It’s an all-in-one resource designed to help you move (and live) abroad with ease.

Learn More at www.expatjourneyprogram.com

Moving abroad often means more than just changing countries—it can involve career shifts, family adjustments, and personal identity changes. Learn how to manage these dual transitions with clarity and confidence.

Relocating to a new country is a big life change. It can be exciting, inspiring, and filled with possibility. But here’s what we don’t always talk about: moving abroad often happens alongside other major transitions.

A career change. Retirement. Kids growing up or moving out. Pausing your own goals to support a partner’s opportunity. These dual transitions can pile on, leaving you emotionally drained or questioning your decision.

You’re not alone if you’re feeling overwhelmed—and there are ways to move through it with intention and grace.

Dual transitions are overlapping life changes that happen at the same time as your international move. And they can significantly affect how you adjust to your new environment. Here are some common examples:

Career and Retirement Transitions

Starting a new role, switching careers, or retiring altogether reshapes your daily rhythm and, often, your identity. Many retirees envision a calm, joyful life abroad—only to feel a surprising emptiness when the structure and purpose of work disappear.

Family Shifts

Relocating with kids changes everything—from school choices to your social network. Some parents find themselves raising little ones without any support nearby. Others may be facing an empty nest as their children move out for college or independence.

Identity Changes

Spouses who give up or pause their careers to follow a partner abroad may struggle with a loss of identity. Without a professional role or familiar structure, it’s easy to feel invisible, unsure of your purpose, or emotionally disconnected.

When multiple life shifts collide—especially in an unfamiliar setting—it’s easy to push emotions aside. You might tell yourself:

“I chose this, so I shouldn’t feel upset.”
“This will pass.”
“I’m just overreacting.”

But here’s the truth: emotions don’t disappear just because we ignore them. In fact, they often show up in unexpected ways—resentment, low energy, or a vague sense that something’s not right. Sometimes, people blame the new country, when what’s really happening is unprocessed change.

1. Be Honest About How You’re Feeling

This is the foundation. You can’t move through what you don’t acknowledge. You’re allowed to feel overwhelmed, nostalgic, sad, confused—even if you’re also excited and grateful. All of these emotions can live side by side.

Don’t judge yourself for needing time to adjust. This is a big deal.

2. Seek Connection, Not Just Information

Google can’t give you comfort—but other people can.

Look for local expat groups, international online communities, or people who’ve walked a similar path. Talking openly with others who get it can make a world of difference and help you feel less alone in the process.

3. Rebuild Purpose in a New Context

If you’ve left a job, closed a chapter, or shifted family roles, you may be wondering: Who am I now?

The answer comes in small steps. Try something that lights you up:

• Volunteer in your new community
• Revisit a hobby you loved years ago
• Learn something new (language, skill, creative pursuit)
• Start a blog, small business, or project that gives you meaning

For me, it was diving into psychology and becoming an expat coach after leaving my corporate career. What started as a personal passion turned into a whole new purpose.

Let’s be real: transitions aren’t supposed to be easy. They stretch us, shake up our routines, and sometimes leave us raw. But they also open the door to incredible personal growth.

Instead of rushing to “get back to normal,” ask yourself:

What is this moment teaching me?

When you allow space for discomfort, you create space for transformation.

If you’re in the middle of a move abroad and juggling other life changes, take a deep breath. You’re navigating a lot—and you’re doing better than you think.

Recognizing these dual transitions, finding connection, and rebuilding purpose will help you adjust with more ease, clarity, and compassion for yourself.

You don’t have to figure it all out alone.

If this resonated with you, I’d love to support your journey.

Let’s work together to make your move abroad not just successful—but meaningful.
Learn more at www.expatjourneyprogram.com

Wondering if you can truly become a local when moving abroad? Here’s why that goal might not be as helpful as you think—and what to focus on instead to feel at home in your new country.

If I had a euro for every time a client told me they wanted to become a local, I’d probably be sipping espresso on a balcony somewhere.

It’s a common wish: to fit in, blend with the culture, speak the language, adopt the customs, and just feel like you belong. I get it. That desire is very human. But here’s the thing I often say—sometimes out loud, sometimes only in my head:

You can’t truly become what you’re not.

Sure, you can integrate beautifully, speak fluently, and respect the local way of life. But you won’t become a local. And honestly? That’s not a bad thing.

When I dig a little deeper and ask, “What does becoming a local mean to you?” the answer is almost always about belonging.

People want to feel accepted. They don’t want to stand out. Some feel like locals get more respect, while foreigners are often seen as outsiders. So what they’re really craving is to feel “normal” in their new environment.

That’s completely valid—but trying to achieve it by becoming someone you’re not? That’s a recipe for frustration.

The truth is, belonging isn’t about how well you follow local customs. It goes deeper than that. Belonging comes from a connection—often unspoken—with the people around you. And that connection usually grows out of shared values, not shared habits.

This is where things can get tricky. You might discover that the things you care about deeply just aren’t as important in your new country. That realization can shake your idea of what living abroad would feel like. Sometimes it’s just a crack. Other times, the whole illusion shatters.

Here’s something I remind my clients often: we all have expectations when we move abroad. Even the people who swear they don’t.

(“I have no expectations!”... Yep. That’s an expectation.)

And let’s be real—reality rarely lives up to what we imagined. That doesn’t mean it’s worse. Just different. Your version of “becoming a local” might not look anything like how that actually plays out in real life.

Before we chase this elusive identity, it’s worth asking: What does being a local really mean?

Here’s where it gets interesting. Our brains love shortcuts. There’s even a name for it—out-group homogeneity bias—which basically means we tend to lump everyone who isn’t “us” into one big category.

So when we say things like “All Italians are like this,” or “Everyone in Portugal does that,” it’s that mental shortcut talking. In reality, locals aren’t one big homogenous group. They’re just as varied and complex as any other group of people—including expats.

Now, here’s where things get more empowering.

Instead of trying to become a local, I encourage you to create your own culture.

I call it cherry picking—and I’ve been doing it for years, long before I had a name for it. When I was working on my master’s in intercultural psychology, I finally found the words to describe what I’d been doing all along.

I take the habits, values, and customs I love from each country I’ve lived in—and I leave the rest. I create a lifestyle that feels right to me. One that reflects who I am and what I care about, no matter where I’m living.

And guess what? That’s where the real sense of belonging comes from. Not from fitting in, but from living in alignment with your values.

If you’ve been struggling to feel like you belong, or wondering why it all feels harder than you expected—you’re not alone. So many people try to fit in so hard, they end up losing parts of themselves. And when it doesn’t work, they start to question everything.

“Maybe this country isn’t for me.”
“Maybe I made a mistake.”
“Maybe I’ll never feel at home.”

But what if the real issue isn’t the country—it’s the expectation?

If this resonated with you, I have a free resource that can help:
Download my free ebook: Move Overseas with Ease

In it, I dive deeper into strategies for adjusting to a new country in a way that’s authentic and empowering—on your terms.

Moving abroad is more than just packing boxes and managing logistics; it’s an emotional journey that requires careful planning and self-awareness. I’ve lived in six different countries over more than 40 years. I’ve also helped hundreds of people plan a move abroad in my courses, workshops, coaching programs and the Expat Journey Program.

I’ve collected the three most common tips that have helped countless people, just like you, planning a move abroad and doing their best to get everything right.

While you’re probably already thinking about the practical aspects like visas and housing, as these issues often take center stage, addressing the emotional and social challenges is equally crucial. 

Here are three lesser-known tips to help you prepare for your international relocation and make the transition smoother.

When preparing to leave, saying goodbye to family and friends is obvious, but have you thought about saying goodbye to places and objects as well? 

Certain locations, such as your favorite coffee shop, a local park, or a cherished restaurant, likely hold special memories. Revisiting these places before you leave can create a sense of closure and allow you to savor those moments one last time.

Closure can be as simple as taking a photo, having a “final visit,” or quietly reflecting on the memories tied to the location. These rituals help you transition emotionally and prepare for the new phase of life ahead. This step isn’t just about nostalgia—it’s about acknowledging the significance of what you’re leaving behind so you can fully embrace what’s to come.

Starting from scratch socially is one of the biggest challenges of moving abroad. Building a new social network takes time, effort, and patience. To ease this transition, start connecting with people in your destination before you even leave. Use social media groups, expat forums, or local community apps to find potential contacts.

Set a goal to arrange three to five meet-ups—such as coffee or lunch dates—for your first two weeks in your new home. 

Having these initial connections will give you something to look forward to and provide opportunities to ask questions, get local advice, and feel less isolated during the early stages of settling in. This proactive approach helps turn an overwhelming adjustment period into a more positive and engaging experience.

If you are moving with kids, make connections on their behalf and help them make their own. Have playdates and activities set so you can start your journey abroad with the support of like-minded people.

If you’re moving to a country where you don’t speak the language, this can quickly become a source of frustration. Initially, being unable to communicate might feel manageable, especially if you’re still in “tourist mode.” 

Once the “honeymoon” is over and you establish routines and face practical challenges, the inability to understand or be understood can lead to cultural shock.

Start learning the language before you arrive, even if it’s just basic phrases like “please,” “thank you,” or “where is…?” Beyond memorizing vocabulary, focus on defining what you need the language for. 

Are you aiming to handle daily tasks like grocery shopping or commuting, or do you need a higher level of proficiency for work or school? Tailor your learning approach to your specific needs.

By understanding your goals and how you learn best, you can make significant progress and feel more confident communicating in your new environment.

These three tips—saying goodbye to places and objects, building connections early, and preparing for the language barrier—highlight the emotional and social dimensions of moving abroad. A successful relocation isn’t just about ticking off logistical checklists; it’s about ensuring your emotional well-being and fostering meaningful connections in your new home.

Looking for more support on your move and life abroad? Download my free ebook, Move Overseas with Ease, for real-life tips and advice to help you prepare for your transition and adjust to life abroad. Get it here: www.deborahdahab.com/freeresources

Timing is a crucial factor when planning a move abroad. With so many considerations to juggle—schools, finances, visas, and personal goals—it can feel overwhelming to pinpoint the right moment to make the leap. 

We tend to delegate our timing decisions to outside factors, such as selling the house, getting the visa approval or when the kids go off to college. But it’s important to set a target date to guide your goals and tasks, even if you need to tweak it along the way.

Here are some key factors to consider to help you make a well-timed and strategic decision.

If you’re moving with school-aged children, their education will likely play a significant role in your timing. Research the school calendar in your destination country, as academic years vary by hemisphere and even between neighboring countries. For example, schools in Europe may start in late August or mid-September. Additionally:

• Check enrollment deadlines and waiting lists for schools.
• Understand the differences between public and private schooling.
• Factor in tuition payments if private schooling is part of your plan.

Being informed about the educational landscape will help you avoid surprises and ensure a smoother transition for your family.

Since we mentioned school tuitions, accessing your financial readiness is essential for a successful move. 

Moving abroad can come with significant upfront costs, from visas to housing, and, in many cases, private school tuition. If you’re moving with a company, many of these expenses may be covered, but if you’re relocating independently, take time to:

• Evaluate your savings.
• Create a realistic budget for the move and initial months abroad.
• Consider potential financial requirements for visa applications.
• Factor in exchange rate fluctuations 
• Access tax obligations in your current and new country

Understanding your financial situation helps you determine whether the timing is right or if you need more preparation.

If your move requires a visa, researching the application process and timelines is essential. Visa requirements often include financial proofs, documents, and waiting periods that vary significantly depending on the country and visa type. Key questions to consider include:

• What are the application requirements?
• How long does it take to process the visa?
• Can your spouse or partner work under the visa?

Having a clear picture of the visa process allows you to set realistic expectations and plan accordingly.

To create a clear timeline, begin by pinpointing an ideal move date. While external factors like visas and finances may influence the actual timing, having a target date provides focus and direction. With this in mind, reverse-engineer your timeline by working backward:

• What tasks need to be completed before the move?
• How long will each step take?
• What are the earliest dates you can finalize key components like housing, schooling, or job arrangements?

This approach helps turn a chaotic process into a systematic plan, making your move more manageable.

Practical considerations are important, but don’t forget the big picture. Reflect on whether this move aligns with your long-term goals for yourself and your family. Ask yourself:

• Does this relocation support our personal and professional aspirations?
• Is the timing right in terms of our current life stage and future plans?

When your move aligns with your broader goals, you’ll feel more confident and motivated to make it happen.

By taking the time to research, plan, and reflect, you can set yourself up for a smoother and more fulfilling transition abroad. Remember, timing isn’t just about logistics—it’s about making the move when you and your family are ready emotionally, financially, and practically.

Want access to a complete pre-move roadmap to take away all the guesswork? Try the Expat Journey Program for just 3€ for 14 days – the ultimate support system for your expat life: www.expatjourneyprogram.com/ejptrial