Category Archives: need to belong

Three fundamental human needs (Part 4): Can we be both autonomous and connected at the same time?

I think this is a question that many people struggle with from time to time.  The apparent conflict lies in thinking in terms of being autonomous/ independent versus connected as if these are two opposite ends of a continuum. If … Continue reading

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Three fundamental human needs (Part 2): How well are you fitting in?

Last time I wrote about one of our fundamental needs – the need to belong. There are a number of secondary needs that result from that. Wanting to fit in is a consequence of our need to belong.

Posted in expats, language, need to belong, perspectives, self-awareness, self-compassion, social exclusion | Leave a comment

Three fundamental human needs (part 1): Need to belong and why I might be having difficulty making Dutch friends…

“Life in a foreign country is a dance of submission and resistance. Self-knowledge comes in small repeated shocks as you find yourself giving in easily, with a struggle, or not at all. What can you do without? What do you … Continue reading

Posted in Automatic processes, autonomous, competence, Dutch, expatriates, expats, language, motivation, need to belong, reciprocity, relocation, social support | Leave a comment