Living in England, Norway or Germany? How to get help in your own language, whatever the distance and the time zone.
Many Lithuanians live and work far from home: in England, Norway, Germany and elsewhere. I work with them all the time. And I often hear the same thing: “Where I live, there is nobody to talk to about these things in my own language.” Local specialists can be excellent, but they do not always understand our experience, our family histories, and what it means to leave home. This article is for you.
Why life abroad is harder
Living in another country takes a great deal of strength. A new language, a new job, sometimes hard physical work or long shifts, parents, friends and childhood places far away. A person holds on for a long time because they have to, and then insomnia, anxiety and apathy set in, along with a feeling that you no longer know why you are doing all this. Add to that the homesickness we do not always dare to admit, and the guilt of having left loved ones behind. All of this builds up and weighs down your energy. Often a person does not even notice when they started living only out of duty, without joy. This is not weakness; it is a sign that your strength has run out and needs help.
Why it matters to speak your own language
It is easiest to talk about feelings and difficulties in your mother tongue. Even if you speak English or Norwegian well, some things simply cannot be put any other way, and searching for words pulls you away from what matters. I consult in Lithuanian, and also in Russian and English if your family members or partner need it. This is especially important for mixed families, when one partner does not speak Lithuanian but wants to take part in the conversation and understand what is going on.
How remote work goes
You send a clear photo of yourself and briefly tell me what is troubling you. We agree on a time. We talk by phone, WhatsApp or Messenger. During the diagnostics I tell you what I see and carry out the correction. Distance does not get in the way, because for me a photo is a connection with the person. We arrange the time flexibly around your time zone and work schedule, evenings and weekends included. All that matters is that during the conversation you can be somewhere quiet where nobody will disturb you. If you feel that things are hard specifically in the flat or house you rent, we talk about that too, and I advise you on what to pay attention to and what you can do yourself.
When you come back to Lithuania
Many people meet me in person when they come home for a holiday or the festive season. The studio is in Kaišiadorys, at Gedimino g. 109, and Kaišiadorys lies halfway between Vilnius and Kaunas, so it is easy to drop in on the way to your family or from the airport. It is best to arrange in advance, because I see people by appointment only, and during the holidays the days fill up quickly.
Help for your loved ones in Lithuania
Sometimes the worry is not about yourself but about your parents or other relatives who stayed in Lithuania. If they are struggling and you are far away, we can arrange for them to come to the studio, or I can visit their home to check the space. That way you can look after your loved ones even from another country. Many people say they feel calmer living abroad when they know that everything at their parents’ home has been put right and that their parents are not left alone with their worries.
Write or call
The first phone conversation is free, even if you are calling from abroad. You can also write to me on WhatsApp or Messenger. We will find a time that suits your time zone and talk about how I can help.
Live abroad or far from me? Send a photo and we agree on a time.
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