Exploring new places, trying new food, immersing yourself in a new culture and making new friends from around the world. Travelling is a time where you feel the most adventurous and brave, but unfortunately it isn’t all positive, feeling homesick is a very common side effect.
When travelling, it is perfectly normal to miss home and those you are used to seeing every day, especially when travelling alone. Going from having a routine and habits to being in a new place with unfamiliar faces and a language barrier, homesickness can creep up on you and may lead to feeling lost, depressed and questioning whether travelling was a good idea. However, don’t let that stop you, because the feeling of homesickness will pass you! You just have to take some steps to fight it and help you feel better.
[pullquote]most importantly, remember that it is very normal to feel homesick from time to time when travelling.[/pullquote]Firstly, keep yourself busy on your travels. Explore the country you are in, see the culture, try learning the language and become immersed in what is around you. By doing this, you’ll keep your mind occupied. You have to focus more on your trip in order to see the reasons you’ve decided to go travelling in the first place. Secondly, stay open minded and don’t be afraid to meet new people. Talking to the locals and other people who are, you’ll soon realize that you’re not the only one who struggles with homesickness which will make you feel less lonely. Also, this is a great opportunity to find out more about other cultures. Thirdly, stay in contact with your friends and family back home. FaceTime and Skype are wonderful opportunities to recharge when you are missing your beloved ones. You could additionally send postcards telling them all the details about your trip. Lastly, if you know it’s likely for you to feel homesick on your travels, especially if you are away for a longer time, pack some familiar things in your suitcase that represent a piece of home.
But most importantly, remember that it is very normal to feel homesick from time to time when travelling. You are out of your comfort zone and away from all your comforts and habits. Culture shock can also make the experience more daunting, especially when the language is different but don’t let that put you off! Think positively and don’t let the feeling of being homesick ruin your trip. When you are back home you’ll reflect on the time you discovered new cultures and your new experiences. Believe me- you don’t want those memories to be clouded because you’re annoyed with yourself that you didn’t make the most out of your time.