New Moon Coaching for Expat Women

On the cold night of the crescent moon, a pitch-black shadow cuts through the sky. Befana, an ancient old woman from Italian folklore, watches from above and laughs. She laughs at our rush and our breathlessness. We, tiny humans, hurry as if a gold medal awaited us at the finish line.

But as expats, we often feel this rush more acutely. We are in a race to “arrive,” to “belong,” to finally feel settled in a land that still feels slightly borrowed.

If we listen beneath the old woman’s laughter, an unexpected truth lies hidden: instead of fumbling along a tightrope, we could dance in a circle. In the expat journey, we often mourn what we left behind, forgetting that what “dies” is simply a point that merges with the next one being born.

The old year dies. The old woman gathers it in her arms and becomes a flame. She burns with past anxieties, the unspoken words in a new language, the embarrassments of cultural misunderstandings, and the broken shards of who we used to be. The purifying fire reduces it all to ash.

But for those willing to dip their hands into the coal, the ash reveals the gifts: a new project, a hidden desire, or the courage to finally start that business in our new country. The Befana reminds us that we enter every new cycle renewed, like the phoenix.

What are you carrying that no longer serves you? We would do well to sweep away the “trash” of old expectations with a broom of straw. You cannot dance through your new life if you are weighed down by the versions of yourself you’ve outgrown.

Last night, I left a small refreshment for the Befana: a glass of ruby-red wine and spiced cookies. I begin this year with an open heart and projects to realize. And all the pain I am not yet ready to let go of? It has a role to play in this dance. Whether it marches to a waltz or languishes like a tango, it is all part of the music of my new home.

What are you carrying that no longer serves you? What is one tradition that helps you feel at home, wherever you are? Let’s share our stories in the comments.

Hi! I’m Cristina. As a European woman living in Colorado, I get the struggle of building a meaningful life abroad. I help expat women finding a sense of belonging wherever they are. If you’re curious to learn how I could be of service to you, book a free call clicking the button below.