Today I paused.
To be honest, I cried a little.
After a conversation with a long-term friend from Israel. She said something very direct, perhaps even a bit harsh.
Not with bad intentions, but in that straightforward Israeli way that normally wouldn’t surprise me.
But right now, during this time of transition, it landed differently.
It touched a tender spot.
And suddenly I found myself thinking…
“Wait… am I being too sensitive?”
“Why did this shake me so much?”
“Where are all my tools—my CBT, my emotional regulation, everything I teach others?”
Then I took a breath.
- I’m not overly sensitive.
- I’m simply readjusting.
- I’m navigating between emotional languages.
🚦Between two cultures—inside one heart
After many years in Australia, I grew accustomed to kindness delivered gently, often softened with humour sometimes and subtlety.
My friend, being Israeli, speaks from a place of honesty and blunt care something I genuinely appreciate and identify with.
But when our inner world is shifting, even familiar tones can feel unexpectedly sharp.
It wasn’t what she said.
It was where it landed inside me,
in a moment of vulnerability and transition.
Not a failure of resilience, an adjustment of the nervous system
Cultural re-adjustment is a real psychological phase.
CBT teaches that it’s not the trigger but the interpretation that fuels the reaction.
💛 Self-compassion shows that kindness to ourselves speeds emotional recovery.
So instead of…
❌ “She was too harsh, and I couldn’t handle it.”
I moved toward…
✔️ “Her communication reflects her culture. I’m in transition. It makes sense it felt difficult today.”
What I reminded myself
🟡 It’s okay to feel differently when shifting environments
🟡 It’s okay that even as a therapist, I’m also human
🟡 I’m allowed to bring with me the empathy of Australia and the authenticity of Israel and blend them into my own voice
Because growth isn’t choosing one over the other.
It’s integrating both.
So… was I too sensitive?
No.
I was genuine
I was aware
I was adapting
That’s not weakness.
That’s strength while evolving.
Moving forward, I choose…
💫 To allow emotion without apologizing
💫 To pause, breathe, and reframe
💫 To carry Australia’s compassion together with Israel’s direct honesty
💫 To be more human than perfect
So….
In times of transition,
we don’t lose ourselves
we re-root ourselves.
And if it feels shaky right now…
it’s only because something new is being formed.
🧡 Have you ever been triggered in a moment of change by someone whose words usually wouldn’t affect you?
I’d love to hear your thoughts 👇
#transition #selfcompassion #betweenCultures #emotionalAwareness #CBT #growth #honesty #expatlife
