Marzena Szybiak / Coaching & Personal Development

Today in Poland people celebrate Śmigus-Dyngus - an Easter Monday tradition where people gently (or not ;)) splash each other with water. It symbolises cleansing, letting go of the old, and stepping into something new with fresh energy.

And this idea of renewal really stayed with me this week.

Because real change often feels exactly like that a shock at first. Unexpected, uncomfortable, sometimes even something we resist. But at the same time… refreshing, awakening, and necessary.

As an expat coach, I see and feel it this all the time. Moving to a new country, starting over, rebuilding routines, it’s not just exciting, it’s also confronting.

You’re constantly invited to let go of who you were and step into who you’re becoming.

Recently, I experienced this in a very physical way.

I spent a few hours in a 1:1 breathing session with Pavla here in Malta, based on the Wim Hof Method. Through breathwork, I slowed down, connected back to myself, and created space to feel.

And then came the ice bath - inside a freezer, filled with ice. :)

That first moment of cold felt like a shock to the system… just like change often does.

But when you stay, when you breathe through it instead of escaping, something shifts.

You realise you’re capable of more than you thought.

You feel stronger, calmer, more present.

This is why I believe so much in experiences like this.

Because sometimes, to grow, we don’t need more thinking, we need to feel, to experience, to move through discomfort in a safe space.

If you’re navigating change, feeling overwhelmed, or simply curious to explore your limits in a supportive way, this kind of work is something I truly recommend.

And if you want to know more, just reach out 🤍 😊

“We gave them everything they needed to relocate… so why is it still not working?”

I’ve heard this from managers more than once.
And honestly, it makes sense.

Because on paper, everything is covered:
flight, apartment, paperwork, onboarding.

But relocation doesn’t happen on paper.
It happens inside a person.
New country.
New rules.
New version of yourself.
And quietly, in the background:
the pressure to deliver, fit in, and not struggle.

If you’re an expat:

What you’re experiencing is not a sign that something is wrong with you.
It’s part of the process.
Relocation can feel like:
losing your reference points
questioning your identity
not feeling fully “yourself” for a while

Before trying to fix it, try to notice it.

What feels unfamiliar right now?
What do you miss more than you expected?
Where could you use support, even a little?

You don’t have to rush this phase.

If you’re leading international teams:

Support doesn’t end when the contract is signed or onboarding is done.
That’s actually when the real work begins.
People don’t struggle because they are not capable.
They struggle because they are going through change.

Small shifts can make a big difference:
-Make it safe to not have all the answers
-Talk openly about adjustment, not just performance
-Check in as a human, not only as a manager

When people feel supported, they settle faster, and contribute more naturally.

What I see again and again:
Relocation works best when we stop treating it as a task
and start seeing it as a transition.

If you’re working with international employees or going through this yourself, I’m happy to connect.

I support expats and organizations in making this transition more sustainable, human, and effective.

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Moving abroad is exciting.

But nobody talks about the other side of the expat experience.
The moments when:

• you feel like you don't fully belong anywhere
• your identity starts to shift
• you question your decisions
• you feel alone even in a crowded city

Living abroad changes you.

And sometimes we need support to understand who we are becoming.

That is why I created the WWW Programme for Expats.

A 12-week coaching journey designed to help expats reconnect with themselves and build a meaningful life abroad.

We explore three powerful questions:

WHO are you right now?
WHY do you want change?
WHERE do you want to go next?

Because moving abroad should not mean losing yourself.
It should mean discovering who you truly are.

If you are an expat looking for clarity and direction, feel free to reach out.

📩 [email protected]

📞 +356 99544026

Last Monday, I turned 41. 🎂😃

March 9 is more than just a birthday for me.

It’s a moment to pause, breathe, and reflect on the journey so far.

Over the years, I’ve learned that life is not about having everything figured out.

It’s about having the courage to keep moving forward - even when the path is uncertain.

I’m grateful for every lesson.

Every challenge.

And every person who has crossed my path.

Each experience has shaped me into the woman I am today:

stronger, wiser, and more aware of what truly matters.

At 41, I choose:

- growth over comfort

- purpose over fear

- gratitude over doubt

I’m excited for everything that is still ahead,

the dreams yet to be realised,

the people yet to be met,

and the moments yet to be lived.

Chapter 41 has just begun. 👏

Sometimes the bravest decision you can make is choosing yourself, your values, and your peace - even when it means starting a new path.

You don’t truly understand expat life until you live it.

I don’t just work with expats.

I am one.
I feel it.
I understand it.
And I live it every day.

Living abroad is not only about relocation or adapting to a new country. It’s about what happens after the logistics are done. When you are expected to perform, deliver, and stay motivated while quietly carrying cultural disorientation, identity shifts, and a constant sense of being “in between.”

Many expats look successful on paper.
Functioning. Capable. Reliable.
But internally tired, blurred, disconnected.

I also know what it’s like not to be able to spread your wings. To work below your qualifications. To take roles far from your interests or potential. To be the one who “brings, carries, cleans” not because you lack skills, but because you’re new, foreign, and trying to survive. That experience slowly erodes confidence and ambition.

You won’t find this in relocation reports.

But it shows up later as disengagement, burnout, and silent turnover.

I am not a motivational speaker.
I am not a trainer doing one-off sessions.
I am not a perfectionist.
My English is far from perfect.

But

I am an ICF PCC-certified coach and a business psychologist.
And my mission is simple and practical:
to support expats by coaching 1:1, helping them grow personally and create a win–win for the businesses they work for.

I help expats move from survival mode to grounded, intentional functioning so they can think clearly, make decisions, grow personally, and contribute at their real potential.

For employers this means:
– healthier, more resilient international employees
– stronger engagement and performance
– reduced burnout
– support that goes beyond relocation and compliance

Expat support is not a “nice to have.”
It’s a strategic investment in people who carry more than their job description.

If you work with international talent - this matters.

31st of December 2025 - As an expat, reflection isn’t just about goals ...

It’s about who you had to become to live in a new place.

Before jumping into plans for 2026, here are some questions to pause with:
Looking back at 2025:

What was the hardest part of living abroad this year❓

When did I feel proud of myself, even if no one noticed❓

Where did I push myself too hard just to fit in❓

What did I learn about myself by being away from home❓

When did I feel lonely and what did I really need❓

What am I tired of carrying into another year❓

Looking ahead to 2026

How do I want to feel living abroad next year❓

What do I want to stop proving and to whom❓

What kind of support would help me right now❓

What boundaries would help me feel calmer and safer here❓

What does “belonging” look like for me today❓

If I was a little kinder to myself, what might change❓

Living abroad changes you.

Sometimes, just slowing down long enough to notice that is enough.

And if reflecting alone feels heavy, you don’t have to do it all by yourself.

Quiet conversations can help - when and if you’re ready.

🏆 I did it. I’m now an ICF Professional Certified Coach (PCC). 😁

This isn’t just a milestone for me, it’s the story behind it that truly matters.

There were evenings when I was exhausted after work, still needing to show up fully as a mum, and then somehow find the energy to study, practice, and coach. There were mornings when I doubted myself, wondering how to balance everything without losing myself in the process. And there were moments when the only thing that kept me moving was the belief that the future I’m building will help others, not just me.

But today… I can say with pride and relief: I passed my final ICF exam and earned my PCC credential 😊

To reach this level, I completed:

❤️ 125+ hours of accredited training

❤️ Over 500 hours of real coaching with real people

❤️10 hours of mentor coaching

❤️ A rigorous performance evaluation and knowledge exam

❤️ A commitment to the ICF Code of Ethics


What does this mean?

It means my coaching is not just a hobby, it’s a craft grounded in global standards, ethics, presence, and deep respect for every person I work with.

But it also means something personal:

That despite the chaos of life, motherhood, work, responsibilities, and supporting others… I didn’t give up on my dream. I found a way to make space for it. And I’m grateful for this and proud of myself 😊

My mission is simple:

To support people with honesty, integrity, and compassion to help them find clarity, confidence, and direction in moments when everything feels uncertain.

If this is the path life is giving me, I’m ready to walk it fully :)

Here’s to the next chapter and to all the people I hope to help along the way. 🌱

When Your Life Starts to Boil… Pause.

The quote in the image hit me hard today.

You cannot see your reflection in boiling water.
And you cannot see the truth when your mind is boiling with stress, fear, or anger.

This happens to me too.
Even after years of living abroad, coaching expats, building a new career, a business, a family - I still have days when everything inside me is boiling.

Pressure. Expectations. Doubts.
And suddenly, small things feel big, and decisions feel impossible.

As expats, we carry a lot in silence.
We don’t always have our families close.
We figure things out alone.
We push ourselves because “we chose this life,” so we think we should handle it all.

But I had to learn:
When I’m overwhelmed, I don’t see clearly. I react instead of thinking. I worry instead of solving.

This is why I’ve learned to pause.
To step away.
To breathe.
To let the water calm before I move.

And I share this because I understand.
I’ve been there.
I still go there sometimes.

And if you’re feeling stuck or lost right now, you’re not weak - you’re human.

Clarity always comes.
Not when you push harder, but when you give yourself a moment to stop the boiling inside.

If you need support while navigating your expat journey - you know where to find me.

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🌍 Being a Mum Abroad - the Unspoken Side of Expat Life 🌍

Living abroad as a mum isn’t always the beautiful adventure it looks like from the outside.

It’s rewarding, yes, but it’s also deeply challenging.

You rebuild your life from the ground up:

new routines, new friends, new systems, new ways of belonging.

You juggle parenting, work, emotions, and adaptation, often without the familiar support network you once took for granted.

Some days you feel proud and empowered.

Other days, you just miss home and your free time.

Both are okay.

Over time, I’ve learned a few things that help me stay grounded:

👍 Building small daily rituals that bring stability and comfort.

👍 Reaching out and connecting with other expat parents, even when it feels awkward at first.

👍 Letting myself feel everything: pride, homesickness, gratitude, and exhaustion - without guilt.

👍 Remembering that this journey is not only for my child, but also for me - to grow, to adapt, to evolve.

To every parent building a life far from home: I feel you. ❤️

You’re doing much better than you think. 👍

🌍 The 2 AM Questions Expat Asks Themselves 🌍

Relocating is exciting, but it can also leave you with doubts in the quiet of the night.
If you're an expat, you may have thought:

❓ "Am I really building connections?"
Surrounded by people, but feeling alone? Building friendships in a new culture takes time, but your tribe is out there.

❓ "Is my career moving forward?"
The job market here works differently. The question isn't about your skills—it's about positioning yourself right.

❓ "Should I stay or go?"
This one keeps you up at night. It's okay to question your decision, but make sure you're reflecting on your long-term goals, not just reacting to a tough moment.

❓ "How do I find balance in this new culture?"
The way people work and live here challenges everything you knew about balance. Finding your rhythm requires both strategy and patience.

Remember, doubts aren’t failures—they’re signs that you're truly integrating into your new life. The key is navigating them with intention and support.

💬 What doubt is weighing on you right now? Message me. You’re not alone.