Homesickness is nothing to be afraid of or ashamed of. It happens to everyone and is quite normal when making even the smallest transitions like going on holiday. But the most common challenge is dealing with homesickness when moving due to permanent change of environment. So here are some ways to get through it as painlessly as possible.
Don’t run away from homesickness
Admitting you are suffering from homesickness is already half the solution. It will allow you to be truthful to yourself and others around you making it possible to get help. If you repress what you feel, it will only pile up and overflow your senses making you sadder.
So, accept your current state and don’t be afraid of it – it can happen to anyone, but with some work, you will overcome it successfully. Don’t let it define you by talking to your family and friends, allowing new people into your life and getting to know the place you moved to. Being proactive is the key to feeling like yourself again and accepting your new home.
Let new people in
While staying close to your old friends is fine, it doesn’t mean you can meet new people. Usually, with homesickness, people feel closed off to new relationships since they are tightly holding on to the life they left behind. But building a new circle of friends will help you with transition and chase away anxiety, loneliness, and even depression.
Start a new hobby that will get you among people, go to after-work drinks with your colleagues or simply introduce yourself to your neighbours. Having people you can talk to and hang out with will get you more easily settled in and accepting the new place.
Be active
Being active is a great way to stay healthy and overcome any psychological barriers that prevent you from liking the new place. Go walking in the park, run in the evenings or join the local gym. It will give you a better sense of your new environment, but also help you clear your head from negative thoughts.
Isolating yourself from the world will only make the homesickness worse and make you feel like an alien. So get out of the house more and go to the movies, festivals, restaurants, and exhibitions. Immerse yourself in the local cultural offer and you will adapt more quickly to the new neighbourhood.
Make a pro-list
Lists are great resources for dealing with worries, insecurities, and changes in your life. They also help you take action about something and resolve it practically. This time around, make a list of all the good things about the movie. It may be hard to come up with anything right away so let it sit for a while and be ready to write down what comes to mind.
Concentrate on the little things, as well, like how beautiful new street looks in the fall or the bird sounds in the morning. After a while, you will notice that the list has started to grow and you will feel more optimistic and prevent homesickness to define you.
Let an agent do their magic
Homesickness starts early with buying a new home so hiring buyers agents right from the start may help you eliminate some of the stress. Look for agents who know regulations, procedures and may also have a team that will help you with renovations and permits. Be as detailed as possible about what you want so you could find a place that will resemble your old home more. But also, look for the things you missed having at your old home like a closer doggy park or bicycle trails. That will make the transition easier and soften the homesickness a bit.
Lastly, being away from familiar sensations can disrupt your balance and make you sad. This is how homesickness affects people making it hard for them to accept their new life. But with time and understanding, you will open up to the new possibilities and fall in love with your new life. Just don’t be afraid to take a step forward.
