The first visit back home | My Relocation Diaries

Summary

The speaker shares their experiences of relocating to Barcelona with their family and the emotional journey of returning to their home country after four months. They discuss the challenges of adjusting to a new life, the importance of maintaining connections with family and friends, and the dilemma of balancing a tight schedule to see everyone with the need for rest and relaxation. The narrative highlights the complexities of planning visits, dealing with the emotional aftermath of leaving home again, and the personal growth that comes from such experiences. The speaker also reflects on the concept of 'home' and the impact of their emotional state on motivation and the importance of managing feelings through open communication and journaling.

Takeaways

• 🏡 The speaker moved to Barcelona with their family four months ago and shares their relocation experiences on their podcast.
• 🗓️ The family decided to visit their home country after only four months, which is sooner than most people who relocate.
• 🎓 The speaker's eldest daughter, Amalia, adjusted to life in Barcelona more easily than her younger sister, Asia.
• 🛫 There was uncertainty about their travel plans due to flight cancellations caused by the war.
• 🌟 The Basque country was a highlight of their trip within Spain, where they enjoyed the local cuisine and culture.
• 🎰 The family played games like Remy Cube and blackjack during their stay in Israel, which was both fun and educational.
• 📅 The speaker had a tight schedule to ensure they could see all their friends and family, which caused some tension with their more laid-back partner, Gil.
• 🤔 The speaker questioned the balance between having a packed schedule and allowing for relaxation and exploration.
• 🧳 Upon returning to Barcelona, the family had to deal with the emotional impact of leaving their home country and readjusting to their new life.
• 🏠 The family spent two days at home doing nothing to recover from their travels before resuming their daily activities.
• ✅ The speaker allowed their daughters to go to the store alone for the first time, which was a significant moment of independence in their new country.

Q & A

How long ago did the speaker move to Barcelona with their family?

The speaker moved to Barcelona with their family exactly four months ago from the time of the podcast.

Why did the speaker decide to visit their home country after only four months of relocation?

The speaker felt the need to recharge by seeing their family and friends, and believed it was important for their daughters who were closely connected to their family and friends back home.

What was the initial disagreement between the speaker and Gil about visiting their home country?

Gil believed they should not visit home so soon after relocating, fearing it would be too stressful during the holidays, while the speaker saw it as an opportunity to recharge and for their daughters to reconnect with their friends.

How did the speaker feel about their daughters' adjustment to their new life in Barcelona?

The speaker mentioned that it was easier for their eldest daughter, Amalia, while their younger daughter, Asa, initially found it harder but started thriving by the beginning of April.

Why did the speaker decide to meet their friends who were traveling to Spain but not to Barcelona?

The speaker wanted their daughters to spend time with their friends' children and saw it as an opportunity to travel within Spain, which was part of the reason for their relocation.

What was the speaker's experience with internal European flights?

The speaker found internal European flights to be easier and cheaper than international flights, with simpler procedures and no passport checks at the beginning or end of the flight.

How did the speaker describe their experience at the Guggenheim Museum in Bilbao?

The speaker found the experience to be incredible, enjoying the unique architecture of the museum itself, although their children lost interest after about 20 minutes.

What was the emotional impact of returning to their home country on the speaker?

The emotional impact was intense, with the speaker feeling a flood of emotions and a renewed awareness of the geopolitical situation in their home country.

How did the speaker's family and friends contribute to their feeling of being at home during their visit?

The speaker's family prepared a welcoming environment, including a specially prepared room, and their friends were generous with their time, contributing to a strong sense of belonging and home.

What challenges did the speaker face in planning their visit to their home country?

The speaker faced challenges in coordinating a tight schedule to see many people, dealing with the heat, and managing expectations versus the need for rest and relaxation.

How did the speaker and their family cope with the emotional aftermath of returning to Barcelona?

They spent two days at home doing very little, allowing the daughters to go to the store on their own for the first time, and gradually reintegrated into their routine in Barcelona.