Emotional journey
If you’re reading this, you’re probably about to move to the city of Barcelona – or you’ve just arrived.
Moving to a new city or country is one of life’s most exciting and transformative experiences, and it always means stepping out of the box. You should know that it’s much more than just a physical journey – it’s also introspective and personal.
Understanding what you’re going through – or what you will go through – can help make the experience smoother for you and those around you. Expect strong emotions, many fantastic moments, challenges and doubts. Give yourself all the time and space you need to play, explore and adapt.
Most people who move to a new country or culture go through a similar process involving four phases of transition. In this section, we introduce you to these phases through videos that can serve as a guide to help you navigate them successfully.
Each video presents one of the phases and describes what you’re likely to feel, helping you make sense of it all. You’ll also find tips and tools to manage your emotions more easily.
These phases of transition are intended as a general guide, so keep these two key points in mind:
- Surround yourself with supportive people and talk to them regularly about how you’re feeling and what you’re experiencing.
- Everyone’s journey is different – so be kind to yourself and take things at your own speed.
And most importantly, enjoy the process! The journey is just as important as the destination.
Phase 1: Leaving
Phase 2: Landing
Phase 3: Embracing
Phase 4: Honouring
Check out these tips to help you navigate the emotions at each phase and settle smoothly into life in Barcelona.
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Feelings:
- Excitement
- Fear
- Joy
- Nervousness
- Doubt
- Anxiousness
What to do:
- Give yourself permission. Allow yourself to feel everything that’s going on inside without any judgement. This mixture of excitement and fear is natural – it’s your body’s way of saying: you’re about to do something totally new and meaningful.
- Take deep breaths. This is scientifically proven to help regulate stress. It also helps to ground you in the present moment where things are under your control. Doubt and worry only creep in when your mind begins to catastrophise. Being present and grounded helps you stay centred.
- Set your intentions. Get a travel journal. On page 1, write down your intentions. What do you hope to gain from this journey? This will keep you positive and excited and will be a great message for your future self when you face challenges on your journey. It’ll also help you stay focused and resilient.
- Start a wish list. List all the wonderful things you want to do, learn and experience in Barcelona, your new city. Keep it fun! Start imagining all the possibilities. And keep adding to this list as you go! You have this amazing opportunity, so why not make the most of it?
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Feelings:
- Exaggerated sensory input
- Small frustrations
- Overwhelm
- Confusion
What to do:
- Stay curious. Curiosity and an open mind will help you experience new things with more ease and less frustration.
- Practise self-compassion. You’re learning and re-learning many new things all at once, so be patient with yourself. You know what it means to learn and how long it can take.
- Stay resilient. Repeat this mantra: ‘I can do difficult things’. This may seem obvious, but just thinking about it can have a huge impact on you. Grab your journal and jot down some challenging things you’ve accomplished. How did you feel afterwards? Remind yourself that you can do anything you put your mind to!
- Try EFT tapping pressure points while saying: ‘I can overcome any challenge. I can do difficult things’. You’ll be working with your subconscious mind and acupressure points at the same time. This is a simple method a lot of people use to build resilience.
Or
- Use affirmations. Writing them down and posting them where they can be seen also helps to focus your subconscious mind.
- Use affirmations. Writing them down and posting them where they can be seen also helps to focus your subconscious mind.
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Feelings:
- Discomfort
- Frustration
- Resistance
- Curiosity
- Moments of connection
What to do:
- Remember your ‘why’. Revisit your journal and your intentions, everything you hoped to experience when you first set out on your journey. Have you checked anything off your wishlist? Think back to how you were ready to take on the new and the uncomfortable in order to grow and expand.
- Shift your perspective. Focus on something good that’s happening at work. Try writing down or thinking about the things you love about being in Barcelona: discovering a delicious local dish, learning Spanish and Catalan, whatever it is that brings you joy! Focusing on the positive can help you stay grounded and compassionate with others.
- Build connections. Sometimes our assumptions about people don’t reflect who they really are. The best way to shift from the ‘us vs them’ mindset is to make friends. Reach out to colleagues or classmates. Ask questions about their culture, values and way of life. Connecting through curiosity and openness makes it easier to understand differences and lowers stress.
- Be kind to yourself. You’ll make mistakes – a language mix-up, a cultural misunderstanding, an awkward interaction. Be compassionate with yourself. These challenging moments are part of the learning process, and growth comes through them.
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Feelings:
- Connection
- Confusion
- Hesitation
- Vulnerability
What to do:
- Honour your journey. Pause and check in with yourself. Are you ready to move forward? If not, go back to your journal, reflect on the phases you’ve been through and ask for support from people you trust. Give yourself the time you need to process.
- Give yourself permission. Ask yourself: ‘Am I allowing myself to belong?’ Reflect on where you might be holding back – are you still avoiding connection because it feels unfamiliar? If so, consider your original intentions. Are you allowing yourself to realise them?
- Honour your values and identity. What parts of your culture and identity matter most to you? Write them down or reflect on them. This is what makes you unique. What would you like to contribute to this new culture? Find ways to bring these aspects into your new environment. You’re a bridge between cultures – bring in what makes you you.
- Engage with openness and curiosity. Share who you are while being open to others’ experiences. By contributing your unique perspective, you can help create a richer, more inclusive environment for yourself and those around you.
