HOW TO: Dealing with homesickness.

Moving away from home is difficult, whether it is for work, university, down the road or abroad. "Once you remove the homesickness glasses, you'll be able to see everything around you in a new, positive light."(go overseas.com)

So I moved out of my family home the day after my 19th birthday to Switzerland in order to nanny and start my life. At the time I had no idea what I was getting myself into in terms of how I would handle it emotionally. 

I was given the job and moved out within six weeks so I didn't really get to think about what I was doing, I kind of just got on with it and didn't think about the fact I'd be in a foreign country with a different language, currency, culture, etc. 

The first four weeks were hell for me. Every night I would cry and FaceTime my dad saying I was coming home because it was too hard and I didn't know I would last even six months.

But here I am with just fourteen weeks until I return to England for six weeks, then I move to Germany! I'm really excited to be home for summer, see my family, my best friend and spend some quality time with my nephews and little sister who I've missed a terrible amount.

Anyway, I decided seeing as I have lived through it, why not give others a sort of how to guide of what to do if you're feeling homesick or if you're moving out soon and worry you will be homesick..

ONE:

MAKE FRIENDS.

This may seem like common sense but seriously, make friends as and when you can. Having friends is so important when you leave home as they are possibly going through the same situation as you, or have been through it, and will be able to talk to you about you're feelings and how they're feeling. 

Because I am a nanny, there are Facebook groups that are made specifically for nannies in my area and that's how I've made some great friends. By making friends you also have a reason to go out and see wherever it is you're living and explore with them and make great memories.

TWO:

FACETIME/SKYPE HOME.

Whether it's your mum, dad, aunt, best friend, boyfriend, cousin's dog(okay maybe not..) it is important to stay in contact with home and have communication with them because if you are going through a rough time who else is better to talk to?

If I didn't Skype home my first few weeks especially, I don't know what I would have done if I'm being honest, I would have probably returned home as I wasn't given the encouragement out here, it was those at home who told me to keep my head up.

THREE:

WATCH TV.

Okay this may seem a little strange but this is more for people who are moving out of England rather than those who are going off to university as it's slightly different. 

When I lived in England I never watched tv I was either at college, with family or out with friends but when I moved to Switzerland I started to watch a lot more tv simply because it gave me comfort, it was a familiar thing for me and also I got to listen to my own language. 

I have also watched a lot more YouTubers since moving out here, my favourite youtubers are: ThatcherJoe, Zoella, SacconeJolys, Joe Weller. inthefrow, thebeautycrush and Jim Chapman.

FOUR:

MAKE PLANS IN ADVANCE.

By making plans in advance you're giving yourself something to look forward to, this is always best for those days you feel really homesick or just low. I always do countdowns to when I'm going home(109 days) and if I have a trip booked with a friend. 

FIVE:

WALK AROUND YOUR AREA.

Depending on where you live, go for a walk. Even if it's just to look for the nearest shop - it's something. It is important for you to know your surrounding areas, what is close to you, cool places you can visit on days off, local shops etc.

SIX:

MAKE A BUCKET LIST FOR THE NEW COUNTRY YOU'RE EXPLORING.

Obviously this is for those who are moving out of their home country. When I moved to Switzerland one of the first things I did in my notebook was list all the places I wanted to see and explore during my year here. I still need to see Geneva and Lausanne - I will! 

SEVEN:

ENROLL IN A LANGUAGE COURSE.

Going to German lessons really helped, I feel confident when reading German, I just need to be pushed into speaking it. Enrolling in a course really gave me a reason to get out of the house, meet new people and see more of the town I was living in as it was on the other side so I had to find it myself.

EIGHT:

TAKE PLENTY OF PHOTOS OF HAPPY MOMENTS.

By doing this you are able to look back and remember exactly why you moved wherever you moved to. It is a great way to encourage positive thinking as you realize that although you are homesick it doesn't mean you can't have a great time.

NINE:

SURROUND YOURSELF WITH YOUR THINGS.

It is so important that you make your new home your home because you're the one who is returning to it and living in it. For me, it was just making sure my bedroom looked like my bedroom and not some place I was living in for a year. I have photos of family and friends everywhere, candles, my own perfumes dotted around, my books have a place as well as my DVDs and I've made my bathroom really girly. 

If you leave your room to be dull and negative that's how your mood will be, hang up fairy lights or put up some photos!

TEN:

REALISE IT IS OKAY TO MISS HOME.

It is okay to miss home, to feel low and to be upset. It's also okay to cry(heck I have). Missing home is natural, wherever you go in the world you'll always miss home, you can never replace home but if you spend your life missing home and wishing you were there, you'll miss the great moments happening before your eyes, so don't forget to explore and enjoy your life. 

There you have it, ten quick tips of how to help homesickness, hopefully I've helped at least one person!

Until next time..

Natalie xx