Living Abroad: Do You Ever Truly Leave Your Home Country Behind?

Living abroad is something many people dream about. New culture, new food, new experiences, and a completely different way of life. But once you actually make the move, you quickly realize that leaving your home country physically doesn’t always mean leaving it behind completely.

As someone who moved from Canada to live in Palma de Mallorca, this is something I’ve thought about a lot.

There are many things about life in Spain that I absolutely love. The food culture, the warm weather, and the ability to buy fresh fruit and vegetables from local farmers almost all year long. I love the music scene here, and I’m surrounded by the DJs and producers whose music I’ve always enjoyed. The Spanish language is beautiful, and Spanish people have such a vibrant, passionate energy that I really resonate with.

In many ways, Mallorca feels like exactly where I’m meant to be.

But that doesn’t mean I’ve left Canada behind.

Even after building a life abroad, I still have strong ties to the country where I grew up. I visit home every year—sometimes even twice a year—and every time I land, there’s a feeling of comfort that’s hard to describe. It’s familiar. It’s part of who I am.

Living abroad also comes with practical realities that many people don’t think about before moving.

For example, I still maintain financial connections to Canada and I file taxes there as well as in Spain. That means I work with two accountants—one in Canada and one in Spain—to make sure everything is handled properly. Many expats discover that their home country still plays a role in their financial or legal life even after they’ve settled somewhere new.

And honestly, I don’t think that’s a bad thing.

Having roots in more than one place can be a beautiful part of the expat experience. You build a life in a new country while still carrying pieces of where you came from.

For me, Mallorca is where I live, work, and grow my business. It’s where I spend my days creating nails for clients, working on productions in TV and fashion, and enjoying a lifestyle that feels aligned with who I am today.

But Canada will always be part of my story too.

I don’t think living abroad means choosing one place over another. Sometimes it simply means expanding your world and allowing yourself to belong to more than one place.

And if you’re someone who has moved abroad, or is thinking about it, you might discover the same thing: leaving home doesn’t necessarily mean leaving it behind.

If you ever find yourself living or visiting Palma de Mallorca and we cross paths—whether it’s at a café, a music event, or during a nail appointment—feel free to say hello. I always love meeting people who have their own stories about living abroad or building a life in a new country. After all, one of the most beautiful parts of expat life is realizing that while we may come from different places, we often share the same curiosity about the world.

Peace & Love,

A