Moving, for me, didn’t only mean physically leaving a place but also saying goodbye to my loved ones.  

Feelings of sadness and a deep melancholy filled my body. I moved from Brussels, the multicultural capital of Europe to the calm rural area of Limburg, in the northeast of Belgium.  

Saying goodbye to acquaintances, friends and family made some scary thoughts pop up in my head. Will I ever see them again? Will they eventually forget me in the future?  Would I feel at home in my new environment? 

A move can be a true life lesson. It’s a journey full of discoveries. Every step is a new challenge, and every encounter is a chance for growth. It is a journey filled with new experiences and personal development where letting go of your past becomes a vital lesson. It takes courage to look at the future optimistically and step out of your comfort zone. You have to be brave to leave behind everything you are used to and to embrace the unknown. This is how I met new people and did my best to find myself in unfamiliar surroundings. It was a process of independence and emotional growth in which I became stronger, more experienced and more confident. In the end, the move didn’t only bring new surroundings but also a new chapter in my life.  

‘Home’ wasn’t defined by physical places anymore but by a feeling of connection with loved ones. Memories are the only things that are left but even though you are far away physically, those connections keep living on in your heart. Negativity and pessimistic thoughts only make it worse, but optimism can help get you through the darkest times. Facing every challenge with a smile is the key. 

 Translated from Dutch by: Lynn-Macy De Smet