Make Yourself At Home: 3 Important Things To Remember

As an expat, it’s vital to take conscious and careful steps to address your inherent desire to belong and allow yourself to feel more “at home” in Singapore. In some cases, this requires physical adjustments; many times, it will require a financial investment. But in all instances, the journey toward stability begins with a change in mind-set. It requires the conscious understanding that “home” can only be created once you recognise your emotional needs and make the bold decision to fulfil them.

- Kim Forrester

The stress of expatriate life is undeniable. One study has revealed that expats are three times more likely to suffer depression, anxiety and other mental health issues than their domestic counterparts. As many expats will attest, a large portion of this distress arises from the feeling you’re in limbo – unsettled and homeless.

For most expatriates, defining “home” can become an awkward and vague process, punctuated with many ifs and buts. According to sociologist Melissa Butcher, feeling settled as an expat can depend on factors such as the strength (and accuracy) of nostalgic homeland memories, the intensity of family ties and the number of previous relocations. In addition, your personal values and preferences, and how readily these preferences can be recreated, are important factors in how much you will feel at home in your host country.

As unique as the definition of home may be to each individual, the importance of acknowledging and addressing the need to belong is universal. There are a multitude of daily stresses for an expat – many of which are completely out of your control. Therefore, it’s vitally important that you acknowledge the choices that you can control and that will bring you a greater sense of security, stability and belonging for as long as you call Singapore home.

Here are three tools to help you create a sense of home, wherever you are.