Do You Ever Feel Like You Don’t Fully Belong Anywhere? Here’s Why That’s Okay
If you’ve ever moved abroad—or even spent significant time in a culture different from your own—you might have experienced a strange kind of in-between feeling.
You visit your home country, but something feels off. The streets are familiar, the language is second nature, yet you feel like a visitor. At the same time, your new country was exciting and challenging, and shaped who you are—but there were many moments when you felt like a complete outsider.
“So, here you are. Too foreign for home. Too foreign for here. Never enough for both” ~Ijeoma Umebinyuo
So, where do you truly belong?
Your Identity Shift
Moving abroad doesn’t just change your location—it reshapes your identity. You’ve adopted new habits, perspectives, and sometimes even a different way of thinking. You have gotten to know people who look different than you, operate from a different playbook, and have an alternate understanding of time, money, and relationships. You’ve probably even taken a new look at your home country and now see it through a different lens.
Needless to say, the version of yourself that existed before you left has evolved.
But that also means you might not fully fit into the places, the relationships, and the categories that once defined you.
And that’s okay.
Why Not Fully Belonging Is a Strength
Instead of seeing this as a loss, consider the unique advantages of being someone who straddles two (or more) worlds:
You have a broader perspective. You understand different ways of thinking, which makes you more adaptable and open-minded.
You connect across cultures. Instead of feeling tied to just one place, you develop the ability to build meaningful relationships with people from diverse backgrounds.
You define home on your own terms. Rather than belonging to a single location, you create belonging through the experiences, people, and values that matter most to you.
Finding Peace in the “In-Between”
Belonging isn’t always about geography—it’s about connection. You belong where you feel seen, valued, and understood. You belong where you can express your truest self. And most importantly, you belong wherever you choose to build a meaningful life.
Instead of searching for a single place to call home, consider this: What if belonging isn’t about where you are, but about who you are becoming?
Have you ever felt like you don’t fully belong anywhere? Share your thoughts in the comments!