Feeling uprooted in a new country? You’re not alone.
Life as an expat often feels like a string of new beginnings—packing up, starting over, rebuilding circles of connection. Even with excitement, there can be exhaustion, loneliness, and moments where you wonder, “When will this finally feel like home?”
Just like a seed, your growth may begin quietly—beneath the surface, unseen but deeply alive. With patience, care, and the right conditions, you too can flourish into something strong and rooted.
What Seeds Teach Us About Expat Life
A seed holds everything it needs to grow, but it cannot thrive without nourishment, warmth, and time. Your expat journey is the same. You carry within you potential—dreams of connection, belonging, joy—but you also need the right environment to help it unfold.
When does a seed sprout?
Not right away. It rests first. It gathers unseen strength. Only when the soil, water, and warmth align does life break through.
And just like that seed, your stillness, your waiting, your confusion—it’s not failure. It’s part of your preparation to grow.
When Does a Seed Germinate?
Germination begins when the seed encounters the right conditions: moisture, warmth, and fertile soil. But before it sprouts, a seed must endure a period of dormancy—a time of rest and quiet preparation.
In the same way, your journey as an expat might involve moments of stillness or uncertainty. These periods are not setbacks but essential phases of gathering strength, gaining clarity, and preparing to grow.
Lessons Nature Whispers to Expats:
🌱 Patience is not weakness. Building a life abroad takes time. Like seeds, roots form in silence before growth is visible.
🌿 The right environment matters. Seek spaces and people who nurture, not drain you. Nature is one place that never judges or demands.
💧 Nourish your dreams daily. Learning a word in the local language, walking a forest trail, or simply pausing to breathe—all are drops of water feeding your growth.
🌞 Trust what you cannot yet see. Even in the messy middle, you’re becoming.
Tending to Your Inner Seeds
When seedlings sprout, they need care—gentle watering, sunlight, and protection. You deserve the same.
For expat women, tending to your own seeds might look like:
- Walking under trees when loneliness feels heavy.
- Letting your body breathe before words need to come.
- Finding connection with the land when people feel far away.
- Allowing yourself to grow slowly, without rushing to “fit in.”
Sowing Roots of Belonging
Nature reminds us: roots can grow anywhere. Even in unfamiliar soil, a seed can thrive if it finds what it needs.
If you’re feeling unseen, overwhelmed, or longing for a deeper sense of home, remember: you don’t need to do it alone. Walking in nature—together, with guidance—can help you reconnect with your strength, find clarity, and begin to truly belong.
✨ Your seeds are already within you. Let’s nurture them—so you can bloom where you are planted.
Would like to know more, read Embarking on your expatriate journey
The New Roots Program: Grow, Connect, and Thrive Abroad
Relocating to a new country can be an exciting adventure, but it also comes with challenges: adapting to unfamiliar cultures, navigating feelings of isolation, and redefining your sense of home. Rooted Abroad: Your Guide to Thriving as an Expat is designed to help you move beyond the overwhelm and create a fulfilling life in your new home. In this self-paced program, outdoor coach and expat specialist Cat Boersma will guide you through 6 to 8 transformative lessons to help you reconnect with your values, navigate ambiguity, and embrace your new environment with confidence. Combining reflective exercises, nature-inspired practices, and actionable strategies, this course empowers you to build meaningful connections and thrive in your life abroad.
