#85 When an expat goes back- but it's not the same

Have you ever gone back to a place where you once lived, only to feel both comforted and strangely disconnected?

In this solo episode of This Expat Life, I share my recent experiences of returning to Rio de Janeiro and London, two cities that were once deeply important in my global journey. What I found was a mix of nostalgia, distance, and clarity about how much I’ve grown since living there.

Together we’ll explore:

✨ Why revisiting a former home can feel both familiar and foreign

✨ The role of nostalgia and why it’s not always the best reason to move back

✨ How to know if “going back” fits your current chapter

✨ What it means to create an inner home when your sense of belonging is scattered across countries

✨ Why accepting all parts of yourself (even the shadow sides) is the foundation of true belonging

If you’ve ever returned to a previous home or are thinking about it, this episode is for you.

Links & Resources:

📸 Connect with me on Instagram: @amandamaxime https://www.instagram.com/amandamaxime

💌 Share your reflections with me: info@amandamaximecoaching.com

✈️ << Doors to this live round of The Co-Pilot are closed now, but you can join the self-paced edition - and you'll get an exclusive invitation to join the next live cohort. Sign up here! https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/join-the-co-pilot

🌐 More at: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com/

About This Expat Life

While life abroad is often amazing, it is not only rainbows & butterflies - as all experienced expats very well know. From the pleasures of drinking from fresh coconuts to dealing with a personal crisis, This Expat Life opens up space for all facets of life abroad. And more importantly: what you can do to thrive in it.
Certified coach, former diplomat and forever globetrotter Amanda Molenaar dives into the good, the bad & the ugly of expat life. Expect hands-on tips, deep dives, and relatable stories by fellow expats. Whether you're about to take off on your first international adventure or have been repatted already: This Expat Life is your place to find real understanding and to grow from the inside out.
Find more about Amanda and her programs here: https://www.amandamaximecoaching.com.