When the mobile life puts your life in turmoil, traditions and rituals take on a new significance. For November 2019, FIGT focuses on the theme “Traditions and things that preserve our identity.”
Moving in general, and moving abroad in specific, brings our lives into turmoil. Things that have been taken for granted such as access to familiar foods, stores, or locations. Time difference to friends and family might challenge communications with loved ones and language issues might impact the ease of building up a new social network.
In these difficult times, traditions and artifacts from our home culture allow us to find comfort and to settle in more easily. Over time, some of these traditions (and collection of local artifacts) might change and be enriched by new experiences which make the global life so colourful and satisfying.
A move is often perceived as a chance to 'Marie Kondo' our lives, but we need to be careful to preserve, and to cherish, traditions, artifacts, and experiences as they are a piece of ourselves. We hope you enjoy our content this month and find some inspiration.
To access the content: Please join us on Facebook, LinkedIn, or Twitter. Video content will be available for the month and then archived to the members’ only section of this website.
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From this month's social media
Related articles
Expat Living: What Does It Take To Make You Feel At “Home”?
As part of adapting and adjusting, most expats find some combination of strange and different alongside the familiar and comforting, even with the fundamental of our traditions: food. Jonelle Hilleary reminisces about the quest for home foods among expats living in a country with few options.
From FIGT resources
New School Year, New Self-Care Routines
Health and wellness coach Stacey Arsenault explains the 5 dimensions of self-care: physical, intellectual, emotional, spiritual, and social. She reminds us to ritualize self-care, to make it part of our routine. Although targeting students, this article is relevant for anyone entering into a new phase of life.
VIDEO: What is 'family' culture shock?
Family members go through culture shock at different paces. “Expert expat” Robin Pascoe suggests that the ritual of family meals is a powerful way to help family members get back on the same page.
Proactive Steps for the Holiday Blues
It’s common to get acute homesickness as the holidays roll around. Barbara Berthiaume, MSW, explains why that is and gives practical tips to navigate the special holidays, especially in a new country, to avoid the brunt of the holiday blues.
