Emigrating and settling into a new and unfamiliar life, culture and place is an exciting adventure but it can also be a difficult adjustment process. Change and acclimatising to new challenges and places can cause significant emotional and psychological distress.
Here, Thrive speaks on how to adapt and flourish in your new home.
In the year to April 2021, 54,000 people emigrated from Ireland (CSO). Ireland has a deep and long history of emigration, and we are no strangers to its effects - both for those who leave and those left behind.
Moving to a new country is challenging but even more so in the past few years, where local lockdowns and social restrictions have limited people’s ability to settle and integrate into a new country.
Certain people find emigration easy to deal with, but others find it hard to cope. Even those who have lived away for decades, settled down and had families can still deal with feelings of yearning for home. Building a new life in an adopted country can be a huge adjustment. It can take a long time to feel truly settled and feel a sense of belonging. Here we look at ways that can help you integrate into your new surroundings.
Connect with home
Being so far away from home can be difficult especially when milestones are missed or you aren’t surround by those close to you during joyous and difficult times – those celebratory events we miss out on, the birthdays, the weddings, the get togethers.
Keeping up and maintaining a strong link with home can help you feel connected as you begin to forge a new path in a new place. The past pandemic years have shown us the creative ways we can keep in touch – arrange a monthly catch up with all the family, arrange a virtual pub get together with your friends.
As life and time goes by, the relationships with those at home can falter but keeping in steady contact can help strengthen and reinforce your sense of identity and self. But it is also important to come to terms with and process the inevitable - lost and redefined relationships.
Build a community
When in an unfamiliar territory, it can be easy to begin to withdraw from others and retreat. Building new connections and relationships can conjure up anxiety and nervousness. However, establishing a sense of community in your new settings can help achieve feelings of belonging.
Around the global, there is always an Irish diaspora network group. If you want to feel connected to home and re-establish your sense of identity, find that Irish connection. Having face-to-face support of others who can relate to how you are feeling helps foster closer relationship and deep connection.
Joining a club, group or volunteering can also help you build your sense of community and belonging.
Immerse yourself
It is important to immerse yourself in your current environment. Go out and explore your surroundings, travel around, wonder and connect with your adopted country. This can be very therapeutic and provides an appreciation and gratitude for your new home. It can also help you reflect on your journey and remind you of your why.
So, get out there, connect, explore, and most importantly find joy.
If you are struggling with any kind of emotional struggle, please know the support of Thrive has no borders or bounds. The Thrive wellbeing hub provides free emotional supports to members, students and family members both home and abroad. We offer a confidential space for you to talk, whether you need a listening ear, wellbeing advice or professional counselling, we are here for you.
You can contact the thrive wellbeing team by email at: thrive@charteredaccountants.ie or by phone: (+353) 86 0243294.
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