How to Get Over Homesickness

When taking a long trip or moving to a new place being homesick in inevitable. No matter how excited one is about traveling, seeing new things and meeting new people, it's only normal to miss the people and things we feel comfortable around. When homesickness happens, no matter if it is after one week or one year, it can be difficult to get over. However, provided that the decision to move or travel is still correct for you, homesickness can be overcome.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• telephone
• a little extra money
• addresses and phone numbers of friends and family

1. Prepare. If you know in advance about an extended trip or move, prepare for your homesickness. Take little things to remind you of the place and the people you are leaving, such as pictures, a favorite regional food, or a reminder of an inside joke. Displaying personal items in easy to see places will remind you of good memories and friendships and you will feel less alone. Also, if it is possible, plan early for visits. If traveling far from your family, holidays are important times to return if you can. Although it is a hassle to travel during these peak times, reliving traditions and feeling close to your loved ones will help you through the rest of the time away.

2. Indulge Yourself. Instead of being hard on yourself for feeling down in your new place, indulge some of your wishes. If you are missing a special person, spend a little extra time and money on telephone calls or letters. Reconnecting with an old friend or family member will help you feel less alone and forgotten. If you are far from your usual routine or lifestyle, splurge on food or activities you used to do there. This will help you recover a little of the feeling of security and happiness you felt.

3. Take a Trip. Take the time to plan a trip to a place you always wanted to visit near your new home, or set off one morning to a place you've never heard of. Either way, you will discover new things. As you travel, look around at the new people and scenery and remind yourself why you are there in the first place. Instead of thinking about the relatively new feeling of homesickness, try to recapture some of your initial feelings of excitement and expectation of all the things you will see and do.

4. Try Something New. Invite a classmate or colleague out for drinks with you in a cool looking bar you've never tried. Sign up for a class in local dancing or crafts. Try a new sport that's available in your area. Or sign up for anything, as long as it's something you've never done before. By moving out of the circle you have in your new place, you will at once expand your possibilities of meeting new people. Not only that, but by staying busy you will have less time to think about how badly you feel.

5. Share your Adventure. Start a blog or post all your pictures online. Instead of sending long update emails to your friends and family, who might get overwhelmed with the sheer size of them and unfamiliar names and activities, post your new adventures online and send out the address. Let your loved ones come to you to see what you've been up to. After reading a funny story of something that happened to you, or seeing the great pictures of your last trip, they'll be sure to send messages and ask questions about your new life, providing you and them lots of stuff to talk about.

Tips & Warnings

• These steps are not intended for people with depression or anxiety. They are meant for people who are confident in their move or trip and who still feel certain that it was the best decision.
• If you are not sure you made the right decision in moving, you might not overcome your homesickness.

[1960texan]

on 12/1/2008 Good tips. It always helps to have a sense of adventure.