Living abroad: building a life here · worksheet 52
The big stages of life often have their rituals. Migrations, much less so. Yet marking a departure or an arrival helps you say goodbye, keep a bond and start to inhabit a new place.
Before you start
- What it is for: To mark a departure, an arrival or a migration anniversary, making room for your emotions and giving meaning to the transition.
- About 15 minutes to prepare; the ritual itself can last anything from a few minutes to an afternoon.
- Rituals help close one stage and open another: a farewell, an arrival, an anniversary, a return.
- It can be very simple: a dinner, a letter, planting something, a walk through a meaningful place.
Prefer paper? Download the PDF to print (with a page for psychologists).
What to do with your results
Note what the ritual changed: often a feeling of calm or of a “chapter closing”. The last question helps you inhabit your new place.
If you find it hard
A ritual doesn’t have to be big: a letter, a meal, a photo are enough. Choose what makes sense to you.
For psychologists
The PDF also includes a page for the psychologist: how to run the exercise in session, points to watch and scientific references. You are free to use it with your clients.
For psychologists: aim, audience and duration
Help the person create personal rituals to mark a departure, an arrival or a migration anniversary, to make room for emotions and give meaning to the transition.
Before leaving, after arriving, returning home, repeated departures, grieving a loved one who stayed behind. Duration: 15-20 min in session; the ritual itself, outside the session.
References
Bhugra, D. & Becker, M. A. (2005). Migration, cultural bereavement and cultural identity. World Psychiatry, 4(1), 18-24.
Stroebe, M. & Schut, H. (1999). The dual process model of coping with bereavement: Rationale and description. Death Studies, 23(3), 197-224.
These worksheets do not replace therapy. If you are in distress or having suicidal thoughts, call your local emergency number (112 in Europe; 3114 in France, free, 24/7).
Free worksheet for non-commercial use: you may share it with credit to the author, without modifying it (Creative Commons BY-NC-ND 4.0 licence).
