One of the things that doesn’t get talked about enough in expat life is the emotional load many mums are carrying in silence. It's not just the logistics of moves, schools, visas, and routines, there’s the emotional side of it too. Being excited and grateful for the opportunity to live abroad, while also feeling nervous, lonely, or overwhelmed by what daily life actually looks like. While we're managing our own emotions, many of us are also supporting our partner’s career, holding our children’s feelings and emotions, and trying to create some sense of “home” in an totally unfamiliar place. And then there's the tug of family back home and carrying the guilt of not wanting to sound like we’re complaining about seemingly glamorous life. It’s a constant balancing act, and it’s a lot to hold, especially when most of us keep all of that to ourselves and just "keep calm and carry on". So if you’re an expat and this resonates with you, I just want you to know that I see you. And if you know someone else who's an expat, please be kind. As incredible it is to have opportunity to travel in this way, it’s not always what it looks like on the outside.

I'm not sure if this is technically a 'promote my community' post, but here goes: My community is for Expat Mums and I want it to feel like we're meeting for coffee, sharing stories and supporting each other. So in my classroom, I have a section called "Been There, Know That" which is basically a data base for all our collective knowledge and wisdom from the places we've lived. So it could be a good dentist in Amman, a hairdresser in KL or recipes we've collected along the way. 🧑‍🍳 This recipe is one of my sister's favourites. It's a flourless, sugarless chocolate cake. It uses ground almonds and dates for sweetness. It's more of a brownie texutre and is yummy with fresh cream and raspberries. My sister always cuts it up in to bite size pieces, freezes them and eats them as daily (reletively healthy) treats. I also make them into Santa's hats at Christmas! I have no idea where I got the recipe from, other than to say "a friend along my travels", which is why I decided to share recipes in my community.

I have SOOOO many things I am planning to include in my community in 2026. But for today, I'd like to introduce my Postcard Pause weekly email. Remember postcards? I used to love sending them, and still do. But it's so expensive and the designs are what they used to be. So, I'm making my own! My postcard pause combines travel with a moment of mindfulness. One sentence delivered to your inbox to give you pause and at the same time, inspring you with beautiful locations around the world! No long winded explanation about the pause, no pitching for business, just a postcard and a pause! Fancy signing up? Here ya go.... https://www.raisingchange.uk

One thing I’ve learned after years of living internationally is that “expat” means very different things to different people. 🌍 For some, it's the stereotypical partner contracted through work, "trailing spouse" international schools, constant moves, and a very defined “expat bubble”. ♥️ For others, it’s falling in love with someone from another country and slowly building a life somewhere that wasn’t originally meant to be permanent. 💻 Then there are the global nomads, who take their work with them and move by choice and adventure. 🎖️ There are military families too, often centred around bases rather than local communities. 🎒 And of course, there are backpackers, long-term travellers, returners, repats, people who never planned to stay and people who never planned to leave. All of these experiences come with different challenges, different privileges, and different emotional loads, but there's a silent knowing between them. Whether it's questions of belonging, identity or "is this good for the children?" we get it. I always think it’s worth saying out loud that there’s no “right” way to be an expat, and all are welcome in my community! Are you, have you been or do you dream of being an expat?

Let’s spread the love! IN THE COMMENTS BELOW…. For #FriendFriday, recommend a Skool group or program that is not yours that you think would be valuable for the group. Then, send your friend a message letting them know you mentioned them here. 😊 Provide context and not just the link, please.