After Expat Life: Looking Back at the Last 15 Years

Shop My Outfit: 

Dress//Reformation (similar dress under $30)  Top//J.Crew (also love this top from Asos)

Shoes//Castañer  Handbag//Zara (similar handbag)

Watch//Skagen (under $80)

It was actually my mom who got me thinking last week how much my life has changed just this year. Moms are good for that. For those who may not know, I finally moved back to my hometown of Dallas after living abroad as an expat on and off for the last 15 years. It’s become such a part of who I am that it’s hard to remember life before.

If you’re interested in my expat life,  I’ve written blog post about the pros and cons of expat life, how to deal with feeling homesick, how to fit in with the locals in Switzerland, and more.

I thought I would look back how much my life has changed after 5 months of moving back home and leaving my expat life behind – just for the moment.

The biggest life change…

Is probably that I got married. We had an intimate garden ceremony with family, which turned out better than I could have expected. We plan on having that big traditional wedding in the future, but since my husband is Swiss we had to start with this ceremony first so he can join me in Texas.

If you want to see what I wore and details about the day check out this blog post!

How Have I Been Adjusting? 

Honestly, better than I thought I would. I have a new job that keeps me busy and I love being just a phone call away from my friends – rather than a plane ride. In the beginning, I was so excited by everything like I was discovering my own culture again.

Being able to have nearly anything delivered to my door (hello Amazon prime and Amazon pantry), falling in love with the phenomenon that is Trader Joes and having stores be open on a Sunday was all new to me. Believe me when I tell you that stores open on a Sunday is quite a luxury.

There is so much variety when you live in a big city in the States – you have everything at your fingertips and I don’t think many truly appreciate this convenience.

Now that it’s been 5 months and things are not feeling so new, I’m finally coming to the realization that I’m not living abroad anymore.

To be honest, it feels weird.

I miss easily hopping on a train to see my parents, I miss the amazing cheese and bread that you can find at any store, and I miss walking around the center of Zürich (a place that has become my home for over 10 years).

I’m happy to be home. It really was the right time to make this big leap, but I know it won’t be my last adventure abroad. Once you grow up this way, you can never quite leave it.

If you would like to know more about my time spent abroad or have any specific questions for me let me know in the comment section below!