Inbetweenship: Navigating the Space Between Belonging and Not Belonging
Inbetweenship is a topic that has become deeply dear to me over the years. As a Chilean who moved to Sweden and has lived in various parts of Europe, I’ve lived the contrasts firsthand: the vibrant, expressive, community-oriented rhythm of life in Chile against the quieter, more structured, and individualistic ways I’ve encountered here.
These shifts have brought wonderful discoveries—greater resilience, broader perspectives, unexpected joys in hybrid identities—but also painful ones: the ache of not fully belonging anywhere, the subtle grief of distance from family and familiar cultural cues, the constant inner negotiation of who I am in this ”in-between.”
Through my own journey and the stories I’ve heard in therapy, I’ve come to see inbetweenship not as a problem to solve, but as a rich, complex human experience. Many of us who live between cultures carry this quietly—feeling at home in moments, yet always a little displaced.
I’m genuinely curious about how others navigate it in their current daily lives. If you’re an expat, immigrant, or someone living cross-culturally in your host country, what does it look like for you right now?
A few questions that keep arising for me (and that I’m exploring in my work and upcoming project):
What drives one to leave a country? For me, it was a blend of seeking new horizons, professional opportunities, and personal growth—but also an undercurrent of restlessness. How has that initial drive shifted for you over time?
Is restlessness experienced in a positive or negative way in relation to ”settling”?
Sometimes it fuels creativity and openness; other times it erodes the stability we crave.
What are the pros and cons of how you experience your inbetweenship?
The gifts might include deep empathy, adaptability, a unique lens on the world. The challenges could involve isolation, identity fatigue, or the effort of constant cultural translation. What lands on your list?
How do you thrive in ”no man’s land”?
What anchors you—relationships with other in-betweeners, creative outlets, nature, small rituals, or something else?
I’ve found solace in blending elements from both worlds, but it’s an ongoing practice.
These reflections are at the core of the therapeutic work I do. So many clients arrive carrying unnamed weight from this liminal space. Giving it language—inbetweenship, mellanförskap, or whatever resonates—can open doors to self-compassion and new ways of belonging on our own terms.
If this echoes your experience, I’d love to hear from you—whether in the comments, a message, or if you’re ready to explore it together in a session.
Thank you for reading and for the quiet strength you bring to this in-between life.
With warmth,
Paloma Lev
ACT / TFACT Therapist | Specializing in PTSD / Cross-Cultural & Expat Experiences
