The returner support

You came back home after time abroad… and suddenly everything feels wrong.Your city.Your friendships.Your routines.Even yourself.You start thinking:“I’ve outgrown this place.”But what if the place isn’t the real problem?In this episode, I share a very personal reflection about friendship, emotional patterns, overgiving, identity shifts after traveling, and the uncomfortable realization that sometimes what we’ve actually outgrown… is the version of ourselves we keep repeating.I talk about:Why returning home can trigger deep emotional patternsThe difference between truly outgrowing a place vs avoiding discomfortHow overfunctioning and people-pleasing showed up in my friendshipsWhy changing countries doesn’t automatically change your lifeThe danger of losing connection to your visionHow traveling abroad reveals the ways you’ve been showing up unconsciouslyWhy clarity comes from self-honesty, not escapingThis episode is for you if:You feel disconnected after returning homeYou keep fantasizing about leaving againYou feel frustrated, stuck, lonely, or emotionally exhaustedYou’re questioning your friendships, your lifestyle, or your directionYou know something needs to change… but you don’t know whatSometimes the next chapter doesn’t start with moving somewhere new.Sometimes it starts with finally seeing yourself clearly.Want personalized support for your return journey? Book a free 30-minute clarity call here: Here🔗 Join the 20 days challenge Rise Up : Here🔗Grab the Ebook Deep Dive : HereFollow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner supportHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We love saying “I wasn’t escaping, I was finding myself.”But what if both are true?In this episode, I challenge the false opposition we keep living in:travel vs home, freedom vs stability, escaping vs finding yourself.Because here’s the uncomfortable truth: everyone is escaping something.Scrolling, traveling, working nonstop, relationships, movement, same pattern, different tools.This episode is for you if:You’ve lived abroad or moved countries and still feel restlessGoing back home feels heavy, small, or triggeringYou don’t know what you’re chasing anymore, just that something feels “off”You’re tired of choosing between extremesWe talk about:Why travel and escape can coexistWhat “home” actually means (and why places won’t fix it)Why your home country is often your shadowThe urge to leave as a trauma response, not intuitionHow staying with inner conflict creates real clarityWhy belonging requires being seen, not disappearingThis is not about convincing you to stay or leave.It’s about stopping the escape long enough to hear what you actually want.Want personalized support for your return journey? 🔗Book a free 30-minute clarity call: Here🔗 Join the 20 days challenge Rise Up : Here🔗Grab the Ebook Deep Dive : HereFollow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner support Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome to The Returner Support Podcast, the podcast for people who came back to their home country after a long time abroad and realized that nothing is simple anymore.I’m your host, Anaïs Ruel, life transition expert, and yes, probably the friend who says the things no one else dares to say during this phase of your life.In today’s episode, we talk about something most people avoid at all costs:How to never waste your return back home.This episode was inspired by a sentence I heard at a business event:“Never waste a good heartbreak.” And immediately, I knew, the same applies to returning home.Because returning to your country is a heartbreak.And like any heartbreak, it comes with grief, shame, anger, loneliness, and the urge to escape.In this episode, I share:A very personal story about a relationship that ended, and how I avoided feeling the painHow distraction, busyness, and “fixing yourself” is often just emotional avoidanceWhy December was one of the heaviest months for me, and what it revealedHow grief shows up as anger toward friends, places, men, and even your own countryWhy running to another country too fast is often emotional bypassingThe dangerous belief that “I shouldn’t feel this way”Why returning home brings up old wounds you thought were healedHow places hold emotional memory, and why your reaction is data, not a problemWhy your country is not the issue, your filter isHow grief softens your lens and changes how you see people, places, and yourselfI share reflections inspired by the book Belonging, including this powerful idea:Grief is the current that carries us into our next becoming.This episode is not about fixing your life.It’s about feeling what you’ve been running from, so you don’t repeat it everywhere you go.Before you move again.Before you blame your country.Before you blame yourself.Want personalized support for your return journey? 🔗Book a free 30-minute clarity call here: Here🔗Grab the Ebook Deep Dive : HereFollow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner support Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

You did everything “right”.You settled.You have friends.A job.A life you once dreamed of.And yet… something feels off.In this episode of The Returner Support Podcast, I speak directly to those quiet months after the move, whether you’re back in your home country or you decided to stay longer somewhere else. Not the honeymoon phase. Not the one-year milestone. But that in-between moment where the excitement fades and heavy emotions show up.I share my own experience of feeling deeply unfulfilled despite having “everything to be happy”, and the pattern many returners and long-term travelers repeat:when it gets uncomfortable, we leave.Again.We talk about:Why sadness often appears after things stabilizeThe urge to escape instead of staying with what we feelHow travel can become an emotional avoidance patternWhy it’s dangerous to make big life decisions when you’re emotionally lowThe difference between living “fully” and constantly chasing noveltyHow to stop trying to fix yourself and start listening insteadA simple journaling practice to create safety with your emotionsThis episode is an invitation to pause.To stop questioning your entire life just because you’re having a hard season.To sit with sadness instead of running from it.If you know someone who’s back home after years abroad, or stuck in the “should I stay or should I go” loop, share this episode with them.And if you want deeper support, I currently have limited 1:1 coaching spots.DM me on Instagram and let’s talk.Follow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner supportHosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, I share one of the most surprising lessons I’ve learned from the book The Easiest Way to Stop Smoking , and how it applies directly to returning to your home country after living abroad.What the author says about quitting smoking is exactly what we need to understand about going back home: it’s all about changing your associations, breaking the old brainwash, and deciding who you are now.For the first 8 minutes, I talk about the core lessons of the book:Why quitting is not about willpowerWhy you don’t need to “avoid thinking about smoking”Why the withdrawal phase is just old reflexesWhy you should celebrate your life getting better instead of feeling deprivedHow identity (“I’m not a smoker anymore”) is the real switchThen I show how we do the exact same thing when we return home.I explain:The stories we tell ourselves about our country (“I can’t do that here…”)How we associate “abroad” with freedom and alivenessWhy feeling free abroad wasn’t about the place, it was about being presentHow I felt trapped even in Canada, proving it wasn’t the country but the situationHow last year I decided to return home with a different identity: open-minded, less judgmental, fully myselfHow being grateful for both your time abroad and your time at home changes everythingHow being back home is like withdrawal: triggering because of old conditioning, not because something is wrongAnd why reacting differently creates a completely different realityI share how “introducing the new me” at home changed my entire life: I set boundaries, chose myself more, said no without guilt, and even spoke on stage, because I stopped pretending.I break down the poker analogy from the book: you already have the winning cards.People around you may try to pull you back into who you were, but your skills, growth, and transformation from living abroad are still there.And finally: when you miss your time abroad, celebrate what’s good in your life right now.Use it as proof of how much you’ve evolved, not as a sign to run away.This episode will help you return home without losing yourself… and maybe even help you fall in love with your life again.Follow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner support Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this episode, I get real about something I’ve been feeling lately, the pressure to have everything figured out. After returning from an inspired event and two months in the US where I felt at peace, I noticed how easy it is to slip into control mode: trying to plan every detail, solve every uncertainty, and force clarity to come faster.But here the thing, when we try to control everything, we leave no room for life to surprise us.In this podcast episode, I share how the first step is simply to accept where you are: that you miss your time abroad, that life feels a bit “meh” right now, that you don’t have all the answers. And from that place of honesty, you can start to get obsessed again, in a healthy way.Get obsessed with yourself, with your life, with fun. Remember what you were obsessed with abroad, the freedom, the curiosity, the aliveness, and bring that same energy here. If you came back to be closer to family, get obsessed with those moments together. If you want to rebuild your life, make it your mission to enjoy the process.I’ll also share why releasing control is the secret to feeling inspired again. Instead of predicting how your week will go, plan for life to surprise you. Ask yourself:How can I bring more fun into my day? What’s one thing I can do differently today, just for me?Maybe it’s watching the sunrise, finding a new spot to watch the sunset, or saying yes to something unexpected. Because this season isn’t about having it all figured out, it’s about falling back in love with your life, one spontaneous moment at a time.Want personalized support for your return journey? Book a free 30-minute clarity call here: Here🔗Grab the Ebook Deep Dive : HereFollow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner support Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Welcome back to The Returner Support Podcast, the only show dedicated to the real experiences of returning to your home country after a long time abroad. Today we’re diving deep into one of the toughest challenges many returnees face: living with family again and navigating the emotions, expectations, and old patterns that come up.In this episode, I share my personal story of returning home after years abroad, living with my parents, and confronting feelings of anger, resentment, and unworthiness that had been buried for years. I’ll take you step by step through how I processed these emotions, grieved my past experiences, and ultimately transformed my relationship with my family by showing up as myself and creating the love I needed within.You’ll learn:How being back home can trigger old emotional patterns and unresolved memories.Practical strategies to give yourself the support, love, and validation you didn’t get before.How to navigate family relationships without losing your peace or identity.The power of vulnerability and self-awareness in transforming your relationships and your life.Why your time abroad was proof that you are lovable, worthy, and enough, and how to carry that into your home environment.Whether you’re living with your parents, struggling to feel understood, or simply trying to reintegrate after a long time abroad, this episode is your guide to transforming your family relationships and reclaiming your emotional freedom.Resources & Links:Follow me on Instagram for coaching inquiries and support: @The returner support Interested in 1:1 coaching, Book a free 30-minute clarity call here: HereTake a deep breath, pour yourself a drink, and join me as we deep dive into the journey of returning home, feeling seen, and finally giving yourself the love you deserve.Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

We’ve all been there, scrolling through Facebook groups for returnees and feeling our chest tighten with every post: “It’s impossible to make friends here.” “I feel so stuck.” “Life will never feel exciting again.”In this episode, I unpack what’s really happening beneath those reactions. It’s not just about the negativity of those posts, it’s about the quick stories our mind creates when we read them. I share why we make these instant associations (like “If they can’t find love, I won’t either”) and why these stories often have nothing to do with us.We talk about the missing context behind people’s experiences abroad and back home, and why understanding that matters. Then, we go deeper, because this isn’t really about social media at all. It’s about the relationship you have with your home country. And just like in love, when that relationship changes, everything else changes too.If you’re ready to shift how you see your return and stop letting other people’s stories shape your own, this episode will help you see the bigger picture, and reclaim your power to write a different one.Want personalized support for your return journey? 🔗Book a free 30-minute clarity call here: Here🔗Grab the Ebook Deep Dive : HereFollow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner support Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Most people fall back into an outdated version of themselves the minute they return home after living abroad.I know, because I used to be one of them. Every time I went back, I slipped into old patterns, complaining, criticizing, settling for environments that didn’t make me happy, while secretly longing for the life I had abroad.In this episode, I’m sharing:Why we tend to fall back into our old selves when we returnThe same reason New Year’s resolutions don’t stick3 steps to stop repeating old patterns and start creating a future you’re excited aboutIf you’ve ever felt like your best self only exists abroad, this one’s for you.Ready to go deeper? Join The ReturneeHood: A 21-Day Experience, an experiment to keep the magic you felt abroad alive, stop slipping into old habits, and create a future that feels fully yours. Join here → The ReturneeHoodWant personalized support for your return journey? 🔗Book a free 30-minute clarity call here: Here🔗Grab the Ebook Deep Dive : HereFollow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner support Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

Have you ever gone back to a place you once lived, only to feel like old versions of yourself suddenly show up again?In this episode, I share what I discovered while revisiting a place from my past, and how that experience can mirror what you might feel when you return somewhere familiar after years away.We’ll talk about:Why younger versions of you might resurface when you revisit old environmentsThe hidden beliefs and patterns that can come alive again (like people-pleasing or proving your worth)How to use these moments of discomfort as an opportunity for deeper self-awareness and growthIf you’ve ever wondered why going back to a familiar place feels so different than you expected, this episode will give you perspective, and remind you that these experiences can actually strengthen your relationship with yourself.Want personalized support for your return journey? 🔗 Book a free 30-minute clarity call : Here🔗Grab the Ebook Deep Dive : HereFollow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner support Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

If you’ve been telling yourself, “I don’t know what I want for my life,” or you feel lost about what to do after your time abroad, this episode is for you.We’ve been taught to ask the wrong questions, society often frames it all around career: What job will you do? Which degree will you choose? But if you don’t have that answer, it doesn’t mean you’re lost.In this conversation, I share my own story from when I first returned home. I had a plan, but I still felt unsure and kept looking at what others had done to find inspiration. What I really needed to do was pause and ask:What do I already know about myself and my desires?Who is the version of me that lives the life I want?How does she think, act, and make decisions?We’ll explore how to shift from chasing job titles or certifications to becoming a match for your ideal vision of life, whether that’s more travel, more connection, or a deeper sense of purpose.You’ll also hear practical examples (including from relationships) and why the better question isn’t “What did you do after your time abroad?” but “What was your process to figure it out?”By the end, you’ll walk away with a new approach to designing your life after living abroad:Get clear on what you already know about yourself.Imagine your ideal life and the version of you who’s living it.Learn from people who are thriving, not just what they did, but how they became who they are.It’s time to stop asking “What should I do?” and start asking “Who do I need to become?”Want personalized support for your return journey? Book a free 30-minute clarity call here: Here🔗Grab the Ebook Deep Dive : HereFollow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner support Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

This episode is for the ones who came back home after living abroad, and now feel stuck, confused, disconnected… or like something magical got left behind.But what if you’re not stuck?What if you're just repeating a story you unconsciously decided a long time ago?In this raw and honest episode, I’m inviting you to zoom out and realize:You get to decide how your return feels.How it looks. How it moves. How it evolves.I share how I unknowingly created limiting stories when I returned to my country, like “home means responsibilities,” “I have to go back to school,” or “my family only gets me when I’m far away.” These stories shaped how I showed up… until I chose to change them.Here’s the breakthrough:💡 The story you’re telling yourself is what’s keeping you stuck.From dating apps to family relationships, I show how the same patterns play out in different areas of life, and how rewriting the story changes everything.You’ll learn:Why “home” doesn’t have to mean “the end of freedom”How putting “abroad” on a pedestal keeps you disconnected from the magic you already haveWhat really happens when you stop shaming parts of yourself to fit inHow to shift from “I don’t belong” to “I get to belong on my terms”The ripple effect of healing your relationship with your country, and how it transforms your relationships with love, money, family, career…I’ll also walk you through the powerful truth that how you handle your return is how you handle every transition in life.This episode will challenge you. Empower you. And remind you:✨ You are the magic. Not the place.Want personalized support for your return journey? Book a free 30-minute clarity call here: Here🔗 Join the 20 days challenge Rise Up : Here🔗Grab the Ebook Deep Dive : HereFollow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner support Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.

In this raw and honest episode, I share what’s been unfolding since I returned to the US, and how, within just one week, this transition has already become a mirror for deeper healing.I open up about the triggers that have resurfaced, especially around people-pleasing, usefulness, and the belief that I need to earn love and belonging. I realized I’ve placed my experience in the US, and even my host family, on a pedestal. But what happens when that pedestal starts to crumble?Using the exact method I applied when I returned to my home country, I’m approaching this move with curiosity, self-awareness, and compassion. I walk you through how I lean into discomfort instead of avoiding it, and the powerful insights that emerge when I do.One of the biggest questions I’m sitting with right now is:👉 If I stop performing or being “useful,” will I still be accepted and loved?I also share a simple practice that helps me reconnect with my body and emotions, allowing me to stay grounded and meet what’s really there, beyond the patterns.This episode is for anyone who’s navigating a transition, facing old wounds in new places, or wondering how to show up authentically without fear of losing connection.Want personalized support for your return journey? Book a free 30-minute clarity call here: Here🔗 Join the 20 days challenge Rise Up : Here🔗Grab the Ebook Deep Dive : HereFollow me on Instagram for daily insights and support: @The returner support Hosted on Ausha. See ausha.co/privacy-policy for more information.