#38. Why Does Starting Over Hurt So Much? The Emotional Toll of Relocating And How To Grow Through Homesickness

Why does starting over hurt so much when you move abroad? 

Dive into the emotional truth behind relocation and how expat women can turn that pain into personal growth, confidence, and belonging.

If you’ve ever relocated, battled homesickness, or struggled to find your place in a new culture, this episode speaks directly to you. 

Drawing insights from the 2024 Global Expat Survey, host Yolanda reveals how expat women in the USA and around the world can transform the challenges of cultural adaptation, identity shifts, and relocation stress into opportunities for reinvention and leadership.

you’ll learn:

• The real reason starting over abroad hurts — and why that pain means you’re growing.
• How expat women find purpose, joy, and belonging after moving overseas.
• Why relocation is not a loss, but a portal to empowerment and legacy-building.

 Download now.

To share your own migration story or feedback email  [e-mail] 

This compelling podcast dives into Expat and immigrant women (and men) stories. Those who immigrate to the USA, tackling the struggles of homesickness, identity crisis, and culture shock in the USA while adjusting to expat life and navigating cultural differences. Through conversations on starting over, reinventing yourself, and finding purpose, it highlights success stories of women's tenacity, and the resilience of expats in the USA. It offers insights into bicultural identity, language barriers, and the challenges of living overseas. The podcast emphasizes the importance of a strong support system and wellbeing for women in pursuit of the American dream.

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Episode Transcript

(00:00):
In today's episode, you aregoing to hear the three top
reasons why you want to relocatefor a new life abroad, the power
you carry when you do so, andthe legacy that begins as soon
as you take that step.
Welcome to starting over in theUSA, the Expat Woman's Guide to

(00:21):
overcoming Homesickness,embracing cultural Differences,
and creating a new home awayfrom home.
On this podcast, we talk aboutleaving behind the familiar, the
pangs of homesickness andculture shock to the journeys of
reinventing yourself.
I'm Yolanda Reshemah.
After relocating six times, Iknow firsthand what it's like to

(00:43):
start from scratch feeling likeboth a foreign child and an
adult in a new world.
It's Friday today, we arelooking at why we really move
abroad and what that says aboutus, the emotional toll of our
relocation and the legacy itallows us to create.

(01:06):
Now you can probably hear I'm alittle bit hoarse because it's
been a busy, shouty, funweekend, but this episode is a
little bit different.
I recently read the 2024 GlobalExpat Survey by Crown
Relocations.
I don't know anything aboutthem, but I thought the survey
was very interesting and that'swhy I want to delve into it.

(01:30):
don't worry.
We are not here for dry stats.
You and I are going to look atwhat these trends uncover, what
they mean for us women who'vecrossed borders, built new lives
they're still rewriting therules of belonging.
I know what you are thinking,Yolanda.
Episode about a survey.
Huh?
Listen, trust me, this isn'tjust data, it's pointing towards

(01:54):
what's possible.
Whether you move for love,whether you are that expat woman
who immigrated for work, forsafety, or for self reinvention,
this episode is for you.
Now.
What did the survey show aboutwhy we move?
.The top reason people relocateglobally is for a better quality

(02:18):
of life.
And that's not just aboutsunshine and safety.
That's about possibility.
It's about personal development,but also cultural exploration.
These were the highest on thelist and for us migrant women,
that resonates because thisdecision to immigrate is not

(02:39):
random.
We talk ourselves in and out ofit.
If you don't believe me, checkout episode 22 to hear how we
talk ourselves out of our dream.
But our decisions are nothaphazard.
They're strategic and they'relayered.
Often outta both necessity andvision.
According to the crown globalExpat Survey Did you know that,

(03:00):
nearly 49% of US basedexpatriates surveyed in this
survey were actually owners orCEOs?
And of those 42% identified aswomen, that makes me so happy.

(03:23):
Sniff the aroma of that, and letit ruminate we are not just
surviving relocation.
We are actually shapingindustries, leadership isn't
just reserved for the few.
Nearly one in five US businessesare owned by immigrants and
almost half of all businessowners in the USA are women.

(03:44):
I didn't make it up.
That's courtesy of zipper 2025research.
It tells us that migrant womenaren't just adapting and for
expert women in the US it's asignal that our voices, our
ventures, and our visions arealready transforming the
landscape.
Let's go back to the crownglobal Expat Survey for a few

(04:07):
last words, and I'll be donewith the stats.
According to the survey, thebest things about relocating
include improved quality oflife.
I'm just listing these for you.
Improved quality of life, careergrowth, and new opportunities.
Exposure to new cultures andpersonal development.

(04:28):
We know about these things,we've chatted about them, but
these are not perks.
This is proof.
Proof that migration can be aportal for expansion, not
disruption.
Here's what I wish I knew when Ifirst moved to the USA,
relocating isn't just alogistical shift.

(04:51):
It's more than the excitement.
It's more than chasing the sun.
For me, it was a act of definingmyself, trying to find out who I
can become.
And if you've ever felt guiltyof thriving in your new home in
the USA or wherever you might belet this be your permission

(05:13):
Slip.
Joy is not betrayal.
Be joyful about your move andwhat you've accomplished about
the great work that you aredoing.
The businesses that you havestarted.
Just be joyful.
Growth is not abandonment.
You have not abandoned yourculture or your country of

(05:34):
origin.
You are allowed to bloom.
I've recently had a discussionwith a chap who moved from
England to start his new venturehere in the USA, because back in
England, there were noinvestors, there were no
supporters.
No one really believed in theiridea.

(05:55):
But it's happening.
It's hard work, yes, of course.
But they are doing it.
Of course, the journey is notgoing to be smooth, not always.
Some of the biggest stressorcited in this survey are the
cost of relocation, moving yourbelongings, but also cultural
adaptation, and that's where thefocus of this podcast is, the

(06:18):
psychological impact, Culturaladaptation.
Homesickness.
Language barriers Identityshifts.
These hurdles are real, butthey're also important reminders
that systems aren't builtnecessarily with us in mind.
but that's exactly why we arehere, to rebuild them.

(06:39):
Expat women from every countryon the planet.
We come with ingenuity, we comewith excellence.
We come with ideas, we come withour humor.
Our beauty and men.
you are not excluded from this,We love you too.
For migrant women like you andme, it's a declaration that

(07:00):
says, I belong wherever I chooseto build and this data doesn't
just validate our experiences atall.
It amplifies it.
It tells us we are notanomalies.
We are creating and designing,defining our lives.
This week I am reflecting on theparts of me that feel most

(07:22):
expanded.
Because of this journey, I'masking how can I lead from that
place?
I want to write it, I want tospeak it, I want to share it,
and I'm inviting you to do thesame.
What part of you has grown themost since relocating?
Is it your resilience, yourability to make new friends,

(07:45):
your courage to speak up?
Whatever it is, write it, speakit, and share it.
In the meantime, if this episoderesonated with you.
Share it with another expatwoman who needs to join our
community.

(08:05):
That's it from me today.
I am taking myself and thiscroaky voice for some tea.
I'll see you in the nextepisode.