Navigating the Festive Season as an Expat: Reflection, Connection, and Growth for the Year Ahead

The festive season is a time of joy, celebration, and connection for many. Yet, for expatriates, it can also be a season tinged with nostalgia, loneliness, or a sense of disconnection. As the year draws to a close, this unique period offers expats an opportunity to reflect, forge new connections, and set the stage for a fulfilling year ahead.

The Unique Challenges for Expats During the Festive Season

Living abroad comes with a world of opportunities, but the festive season can amplify feelings of being away from home. I am lucky to live 'close enough' (in distance, time and money) to be able to travel back to my home country for this season, but that is not the case of many other expats, for one reason or another. If that is you, during this period you might find yourself missing family traditions, favourite holiday foods, or the comfort of familiar surroundings. At the same time, navigating cultural differences in how holidays are celebrated in your host country can add to the challenge.

Rather than viewing these feelings as obstacles, I challenge you :) to see them as invitations to create something new. As an expat, you have the chance to blend traditions, embrace diversity, and craft a festive season that feels authentic and meaningful to you, no matter where you are.

Intentional Reflection: Learning from the Past Year

As it marks the end/beginning of a cycle, the end of the year is an ideal time to pause and reflect. For expats, this reflection can hold even greater significance as you navigate personal and professional growth in a foreign environment. Find a few minutes (yes, you can find them if you plan for them! be intentional! :) ) and consider asking yourself these questions:

• What moments brought you joy? Reflect on the highlights of your year, whether it was a personal achievement, a new friendship, or a small moment of peace. Both big as well as small things deserve to be noted and celebrated! Open your agenda and look.... (or maybe your photos). You could even do/update your Wheel of Life.
• What lessons did challenges teach you? Living abroad often brings expected and unexpected hurdles. What have you learned about yourself, your resilience, or your values?
• How do your values guide your priorities for next year? Use this time to reconnect with what matters most to you, both personally and professionally. Review what your core values are and check if they need to be updated as you move forward.

Reflecting on these questions will help you gain clarity on what worked, what didn’t, and where you want to focus your energy in 2025.

Cultivating Connection: Blending the Old and New

One of the most rewarding aspects of being an expat is the ability to build community in diverse and unexpected ways. As I have recently seen, it is also one of the biggest challenges of living abroad. Hence, during the festive season, consider the following:

• Create your own traditions: Bring together a mix of old favourites and new discoveries. For example, you might prepare a traditional dish from your home country while incorporating local festive customs. Maybe an almond paste filled 'Bolo Rei'? That would be a mix between Portuguese and Dutch traditions, and I can see it working ;P
• Reach out to your community: Whether it’s joining a local event, hosting a gathering, or simply connecting with neighbours, the festive season is a time to foster relationships. Meet-Up, for example, often has groups with quite a few events during the season.
• Stay connected to loved ones back home: Technology makes it easier than ever to share moments with friends and family across the globe, even if they’re miles away. Plan some calls, brief or long, with those you talk all the time or those you rarely see. When an in-person meeting is not possible, I always meet a group of old friends online; we catch up and share both our joy and challenging moments... (often with some family members hanging in the background) ;)

If you choose to embrace a mix of the familiar and the novel, you can create a festive season that feels truly your own, no matter where you are...

Planning for a Balanced and Fulfilling Year Ahead

As you reflect on the past and connect with the present, take some time to look forward. The transition from one year to the next is an opportunity to set intentions and design a life that aligns with your values. Consider these steps:

• Set meaningful goals: Focus on goals that balance both your personal and professional aspirations. For example, you might aim to advance your career while prioritising time for self-care or family. And remind yourself why these are important goals - ask: 'Why do these matter for me?', then ask again why (your answer) matters... Write it down somewhere. This will help you keep your motivation throughout the year.
• Prioritise well-being: As an expat, maintaining physical and mental health is key to thriving abroad. I know how easy it is to forget these... :( Make sure you commit to habits that nourish you, such as regular exercise, mindfulness, or time in nature (I even include my Netflix time here). Spending time with others is great, but we all need (different amounts) of 'Me-time' too!
• Seek growth opportunities: Whether it’s learning a new skill, deepening your cultural understanding, making new friendships, or exploring a side project, find ways to challenge yourself in 2025.
• Enhance your mindset: Our inner chat is crucial in determining how likely we are to succeed in any challenge. So, consider: which of your current values and beliefs (and fears?) do you want to get rid of and which new ones do you want to embrace in 2025? How will you align your goals with your actions and mindset?

Whether you are celebrating SinterKlaas, Christmas, New Year (or Ōmisoka in Japan), Hannukah, Kwanzaa or simply the Winter solstice, the festive season is a time of transition, and for expats, it’s a moment to embrace both reflection and renewal. By choosing to honour your unique experiences, connecting with others, and setting meaningful intentions, you can turn this season into a springboard for a purposeful and fulfilling year ahead.

So, as the holiday lights twinkle and the year comes to a close, take a moment to pause. Reflect on your journey, celebrate your growth, and step into the new year with clarity and confidence.

And, if you want some extra support, you can simply join my "Designing Your 2025: A Masterclass to Craft an Intentional Year" on 9 January 2025, and I'll guide you through a step-by-step process to set you up for success!

Let's all have an amazing year! :D