The Self in Transition: Migration as Renewal

Moving to a new country can shake the very core of who we are. On one hand, there is the culture shock: the strange customs, unfamiliar language, and new ways of living. On the other hand, there is the grief of leaving behind what was once home—family, traditions, and familiar landscapes. Together, these two forces create a deep disturbance in identity; The Self in Transition: Migration as Renewal.

This inner turmoil is not unlike what happens in other key stages of life. Adolescence, for example, is a time when young people separate from their parents and begin to form their own sense of self. Even earlier, in childhood, we go through our very first separation process when we learn to exist as individuals apart from our caregivers.

For migrants, the challenge of starting over in a new country can echo these earlier experiences. It feels like a third individuation—a new phase of psychological growth where one must reorganize the self in order to adapt, survive, and eventually thrive.

Of course, migration happens later in life, when identity is already more complex. This makes the process subtle and often more painful. But it also means that, just as in adolescence or early childhood, profound transformation is possible. Migration disrupts—but it also gives the chance to grow into a fuller, more resilient self.

If you feel caught in this difficult in-between state, therapy can provide a safe place to explore it.