Finding it hard to relate

I met a friend last week who was in town for a week after two years away.

He lives in Spain, although recently spent the last year in his home country to support his family.

He spoke about how hard it was to relate to locals after having lived abroad for so long.

His tastes, his life priorities, the shows he watches — nearly everything is different.

I understood exactly what he meant.

Having lived abroad my entire life, I often feel the same way when I go home.

The places that are supposed to feel familiar sometimes don’t.

The conversations don’t flow the way they should.

The sense of belonging is … complicated.

When I was younger, I used to feel bad about it. I’d wonder: If these are my people, why do I feel like an outsider?

But over time, I learned to accept that I am different, and that’s okay.

It’s not better or worse. It just is.

And I learned to be comfortable in uncomfortable scenarios, including:

• My command of the language is poor, so people make fun or struggle to understand me.

• My career as a solopreneur is unconventional, and people judge or dismiss it.

• I forget basic customs and sometimes feel foolish.

Years ago, these moments would have made me shrink.

I would have tried to overcompensate, explain myself, or force a connection that wasn’t there.

Now, I embrace it.

Because here’s the truth: You don’t have to fit in everywhere.

We spend so much energy trying to be understood when sometimes the real work is understanding ourselves.

Today’s Prompts

Accepting yourself

Where in my life am I trying too hard to fit in instead of accepting who I am?

Where do I feel like I don’t fully belong? How do I handle that feeling?

What makes me different from most people around me? How do I feel about it?

Quote of the day

“To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson

The 'If you don’t have time’ Prompt

What’s one thing I love about myself today?

Get the most out of your journalling:

• Choose one prompt: Focus on just one prompt each day to avoid feeling overwhelmed.

• Be brutally honest: Reflect openly and honestly. This is your safe space to explore your thoughts and feelings.

• Take your time: Sometimes it takes a few days to clarify your thinking. Here’s permission for you to take your time to unravel a prompt and not take on any new ones during that time.

• Journal your way: Whether you prefer writing, audio recording, or video, choose the method that suits you best.

• Don't stress about streaks: If you miss a day, don't worry. You can always revisit a previous prompt.

I’d love your feedback

What was your favourite prompt of the day? Is there any specific challenge you want prompts for? How can I improve the content of the newsletter? Reply this mail and let me know!