The Weight of Change and the Courage to Begin Again

Moving to another country means carrying in our suitcases not only clothes and documents, but also dreams, fears, and countless imagined scenarios. Between the excitement of a fresh start and the uncertainty of what is yet to come — like the key to a house we don’t yet hold — a quiet, persistent anxiety often emerges. It feels as if the heart wants to run ahead of time, while life reminds us that every cycle must unfold at its own pace: before opening new doors, we must first learn to close some.

Anticipatory anxiety thrives in these in-between moments: even before events unfold, we already feel them, live them in our minds, and imagine every possible outcome. The mind races ahead, preparing for risks, rehearsing responses — and the body reacts as if it’s all already happening. This constant pre-living can be exhausting, keeping us suspended between what hasn’t arrived and what no longer exists.

Closing cycles is often a silent, profound challenge. It’s not merely about saying goodbye to a house, a city, or a country, but about letting go of everything we symbolically leave behind: habits, relationships, and versions of ourselves that no longer fit our present. And if closing doors can hurt, opening new ones can be just as daunting, for the unknown brings both the thrill of possibility and the unease of uncertainty.

This is where therapy can become a vital sanctuary. A space of pause amid the whirlwind, where we can process farewells, embrace uncertainty, and discover inner resources to navigate life’s transitions. In therapy, we learn that we don’t have to carry the weight of anticipatory anxiety alone; we can explore our fears and hopes, organize our thoughts, and prepare emotionally for the journeys ahead.

Life as an immigrant intensifies this experience: each move demands adaptation, the rebuilding of connections and routines, and a reshaping of identity. It’s a constant invitation to resilience, courage, and patience with oneself. For those interested, I share a glimpse of my experience in this video about immigrant life: https://youtu.be/oF54tLmXqvs

Every ending, every cycle we close, and every door we open offers a chance to reconnect with who we truly are and what we genuinely desire. Moving to another country is, above all, learning to inhabit new ways of being — with courage, mindfulness, and self-compassion. Even when the path feels uncertain, walking it with awareness and support transforms farewells into lessons and beginnings into opportunities.

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