Overcoming Homesickness
Look familiar? Every now and then you may find yourself daydreaming about the past but it’s in the past for a reason. Photo from Pexels.
Homesickness happens to the best of us. Unfortunately it’s a feeling we all know a little too well (some of us more than others) of missing your bed, friends, familiar and comfortable staple spots around town, and even your siblings you were itching to get away from. Suddenly everything you’ve left behind has become 10x better than when you left it, and you’re left thinking “did I make the right decision?” And that’s okay. It’s normal to feel a bit uneasy after leaving behind your familiar environment, but it’s also important that you overcome these feelings. Experiencing new places and people, and culture and ways of living is the best way to learn and grow as a being. Sure, it may be uncomfortable at first, but of course it is. Wherever your path may take you it’s unfamiliar and we can’t get discouraged to the point where we give up and abandon whatever dream we were following that sent us to a specific spot. Don’t let homesickness conquer you or affect your decision to travel in the first place. Travel is an important ingredient in our lives. As Jonah Lehrer said, “We travel because we need to, because distance and difference are the secret tonic of creativity. When we get home, home is still the same. But something in our mind has been changed, and that changes everything.” So here are some tips to overcome that unsettling feeling and enjoy your adventure to its fullest potential.
Beat boredom
Staying busy means staying happy. Whether it’s meeting up with new friends, trying a new activity, going to the gym, or catching up on work, remaining occupied will do wonders for your feelings of being homesick. When we’re busy we have less time to think about the things we’re missing out on. Activities give us a new purpose, something fresh to be entertained and hopefully, excited about.
Expand your network
A lot of times feelings of being homesick stem from missing close connections such as family or friends. It can be hard to be away from the people you love, but at the end of the day you know what they say, “Distance makes the heart grow fonder” right? Some journeys are meant for you to take alone and think of the amazing stories you’ll have to share with them after. Meeting new people is always an amazing experience and who knows, they might end up being much more important than you would have ever imagined.
Take a break from social media
Sometimes ignorance is bliss. In today’s world it is so easy to stay connected and up to date with everyone and everything happening in all parts of the world. But looking at pictures and videos from home will only make the homesickness worse. You’re in a brand new place and should be exploring and embracing the experience rather than sitting down staring at a screen.
Plan ahead
Having things to look forward to is always a good idea. Whether it’s meeting up with people, making dinner reservations, or finally scheduling that workout class you’ve been meaning to try, all of these things help keep the homesick feelings at bay. This can also make your trip feel more organized and inherently, less temporary. Having a schedule can almost make you feel like you’re at home.
Embrace homesickness for a few hours
If all else fails, embrace the feeling (but only for a few hours). Sometimes the best way to get over something is to allow yourself to acknowledge the unpleasant emotions for a form of release and then you can begin to move forward. Facetime friends from home, look at old pictures, and listen to music that brings back those nostalgic memories. Wallow in the sentiment, but once you’ve got it out of your system don’t look back.
If you struggle with homesickness and have any tips and tricks to cope with it, tag @theedgemag to share.