6 Tips for Homesickness & Living Abroad
Homesickness often is associated with missing home, but it can also be triggered by a new environment, change in routine, and lack of familiar social support structures. Moving to Japan was no easy task. Among the weight of ensuring the moving process went smoothly and obtaining items for the new place I’d call home, homesickness crept up in my mind. Just as unnerving as an uninvited guest, homesickness did not care if I was ready for company.
Mountain viewing is my favorite pastime.
The concept is simple, it’s a distress of being away from home, but what comes with it can be unsettling and not so simple. Some may suffer with depressive, anxious, withdrawn, and even lack-of-focus symptoms as the waves of deep nostalgia hit.
Living outside of the States for two years, homesickness has come, gone, and reappears from time to time. Fortunately it’s not as frequent. I’m able to address it with healthy coping skills and consistent self care habits. Continue reading for my tips on overcoming homesickness.
1. Get comfortable with the uncomfortable
There might be an aspect of your new town that makes you uncomfortable. Perhaps it’s something you’ll have to endure more often than preferred. For example, coming from a spacious state like Texas, overcrowded small areas in Japan heightened my anxiety. Which is common in the city of Tokyo and it took a while to adjust to.
What helped was immersing myself into the fast paced and crowded city. Going into packed trains and shops. Over a couple of months, it barely phased me. Anytime I find myself needing to visit the city, or any area similar, I can handle it with ease. So find that discomfort, conquer it, all while gaining a new skill.
2. Create your safe space
Slowly make your home, a home. Get cozy with it. Find what makes a place feel safe and relaxing for you. Of course, upon arrival this may not be the first thing you jump to do. After the settling in process, gather items to help make it feel more like your home.
For me, that didn’t occur until a few months post arrival. The basics were enough for me to get by, but I got the sudden urge to add some of ‘me’ to the place. I added elements of my favorite colors and textures. Pastel pinks, greens, blues, white, light wood, and silver metals. I finally put up my mandala tapestry in the bedroom and that made such a positive difference!
3. Join foreigner & local meet up groups
Forming new friendships can help the loneliness you may experience. They may even become your second family! A great way to learn a new language while still being comfortable, is joining a language exchange meet up. A perfect casual way to gain a new skill while having fun. Take your new friend group beyond studying, and enjoy drinks at a bar, seasonal festivals, picnics, and more.
4. Eat food from your culture
It’s comforting to find people like you. There’s bound to be people from your culture in your new environment. Maybe not easily accessible, perhaps via a social media group page? If you find a restaurant that serves food that you grew up with, enjoy its food when you’re feeling a bit homesick.
Sometimes we’re not all so lucky, so if you have some home-chef skills, cook up a nice traditional meal. That’ll hit the spot. Share it on your instagram to connect with friends and family.
5. Taking care of your mental health
Set up a reliable routine that you can stick to throughout the week to ease the stress of what to do with your time. Do things you love, treat yourself when you can. REST REST REST, especially if you’re dealing with jet lag from a long ways trip.
Checking up on your mental health is vital. It can be as simple as reflecting on how you’ve felt this past week, talking to a close friend, or family member. If you have access to a therapist, even better.
6. Make the trip back home
Sometimes you can do 100 tips and tricks to ease the discomfort of homesickness and it still won’t work. That’s completely okay. Not everyone is suited for living abroad. Sometimes the new country or city, isn’t best for your needs. If living overseas is still your desire, research areas that would be best for your living style.
If home is your choice, start planning a safe trip back home. Make sure your financials are in check, start shipping items as early as you can, and spend the last few moments with friends or coworkers you’ve made during your stay, and make some final positive memories.
My partner and I discuss how we cope, what we miss about the States, living like Japanese locals & more.
