The Reality of Living Far from Family: How Expats Cope with Milestones and Moments

May 28, 2025

There’s a certain ache that comes with living far from the people you love. And as expat women in Dubai, we’ve learned to carry it quietly — through missed birthdays, late-night video calls, and the sting of being absent from moments that matter.

Big life milestones don’t stop just because we’re abroad. They just look different. Sometimes they happen on FaceTime. Sometimes we celebrate them weeks late, or with new friends who’ve become family. And sometimes, we quietly grieve them while the world keeps spinning.

1. Why the Distance Hits Harder During Big Moments

It’s one thing to live apart from your family day-to-day. It’s another when something big happens — good or bad — and you’re not there.

Your sister gets engaged and you watch the ring reveal over a shaky WhatsApp call
Your dad turns 70 and you miss the party, the cake, the hugs
Your child hits a major milestone, and no one from back home is around to witness it

In those moments, the distance feels impossibly wide.

2. The Guilt, the Grief, and the Emotional Whiplash

No one talks enough about the emotional layering that comes with this life. You’re happy here — fulfilled, even. But you’re also sad. Guilty. Torn. That’s normal.

You might feel:

Guilty for not being there
Resentful that you have to choose
Frustrated when people back home don’t understand your life here
Lonely, even in a room full of people

Living abroad often means carrying joy and grief in the same breath.

3. How Expats Cope (Without Going Numb)

There’s no magic fix for missing your family. But there are ways to soften the sting:

Create your own rituals: Mark milestones your way, even from afar. Celebrate your mom’s birthday with your kids, make her favorite dish, light a candle.
Invest in your chosen family: Friendships in Dubai can become lifelines. Lean into them.
Stay emotionally connected: Voice notes, photo albums, letters. Don’t underestimate the little things.
Let yourself grieve: Missing out is a loss. It’s okay to feel that. Give it space.

4. You’re Not Alone in This

Every expat woman we’ve met has a story of a milestone missed. A wedding watched from a screen. A funeral attended in spirit.

You’re not selfish for choosing this life. And you’re not broken for finding it hard sometimes. You’re human.

5. A Community That Gets It

One of the most healing things is simply being surrounded by people who understand.

At Coffee With An Expat, we’ve built a space for those quiet moments in between — where you don’t have to explain why you’re teary after a call from home, or why you’re hosting a solo birthday dinner for your dad in your Dubai apartment.

This is your reminder: connection matters. And you don’t have to carry it all alone.

If you’ve been navigating life abroad without a circle that truly gets it, maybe this is your sign to find one.

Join our community at Coffee With An Expat to connect with like-minded women who’ve been through the journey! 💛