Why am I so exhausted?
Moving is not just a physical act – it’s an emotional earthquake. Your brain is processing constant new information: language, habits, faces, rules, unknown systems. It’s on high alert all the time. Even simple tasks, like shopping or using public transport, can feel overwhelming. This ongoing mental strain drains your energy, even if you're not “doing much.” Emotional exhaustion is real – and completely normal.
Why do I constantly feel uncertain?
In your home country, you were navigating life almost automatically – knowing how things work, what to expect, what’s “normal.” But now, that inner compass is gone. Everything feels unfamiliar. From cultural cues to simple social interactions, you’re constantly second-guessing yourself. This creates a lingering sense of uncertainty and self-doubt that can feel paralyzing at times.
Why can’t I relax, even though I’m finally ‘safe’?
Even when the danger is gone, your body and mind may still be in “survival mode.” You’ve likely made huge sacrifices and faced enormous stress to reach this point. That tension doesn’t simply disappear overnight. It takes time, patience, and support to teach your body that it’s okay to breathe again – to trust safety and peace.
Why is it so hard to meet new people?
Forming real connections takes more than just proximity. You’re not only trying to meet people, you’re trying to rebuild your sense of identity in a new culture. Add language barriers, social norms, and your own inner pressure to “fit in,” and it’s no surprise that socializing feels heavy. But you’re not failing – you’re adjusting. And with time, small, meaningful connections will come.
And yet – through all of this, you are growing.
Even in exhaustion, you are learning resilience. Even in uncertainty, you are discovering strength you didn’t know you had. Every moment of discomfort is a quiet act of courage. You are not behind. You are becoming. Give yourself time, give yourself grace – and know that this journey, with all its weight, is shaping a version of you that is softer, wiser, and stronger than ever before. You're not just surviving – you're transforming.