Homesickness is something that everyone goes through at some point in their lives. Many kids first experience it when they have their first sleep over, but most people don't fully experience it until they leave home and go off to college. I was one of those kids.
When I first came to California, I was so excited and everything around me seemed so amazing!
However, my mom had gone with me, and it felt like a vacation at first. (We were staying at hotels while looking at apartments for rent, and trying to find decent housing for me before my class started.) It wasn't until the last few days that I realized "Omg.. My mom isn't going to be stay here with me. I'm going to be on my own!" Most people would be over-joyed at having relief from their parents. I, however, was dreading it. Now I would have to pay the utility bills, buy my own groceries, and pay the rent! These are things that I never imagined having to do, certainly not things I was looking forward to.
It wasn't just that, I think what made my homesickness worse was the fact that we were on different sides of the CONTINENT. 3,000 MILES AWAY! When I thought about how I wouldn't be able to come home on weekends, and I wouldn't be able to come home even on Thanksgiving, it just made the entire thing worse. Here I was in a huge city, and I didn't know a single person. I went into a panic.
Now I've been here in Southern California for over two months, and I can positively say that I've gotten used to life here, and I do miss my family, but I'm not crying in a corner about it. These are a few things that have helped me, and I wanted to share them with you! Hopefully I can help people that are going through something similar. :)
1.) Find an activity to do when you miss your family. Maybe you like to paint or sew? You can always send your creation back home so a part of you will be with them. Or go out and explore the area. I ended up finding a hobby, and for me, this was BLOGGING. <3 It takes up most of my free time, and it's something that I deeply love! This also helps you from focusing on home too much.
2.) Make sure you have a friend. For me, this is my room mate! You will be homesick much more often if you're lonely. Having some friends provides a distraction from feeling bad, and it also gives you people to talk to about it who can comfort you and make you feel better. Without friends, I don't think I could have made it as far as I have. I would have missed everyone back on the East Coast!
3.) Call Mom, Dad, Sis, Bro, Cousin, Grandma or whoever and keep in touch. It's important to accept that fact that you aren't home anymore, so keep your calling limited! Calling too much will make you feel part of the happenings even though you're not, and will eventually lead to more homesickness. When I spoke to my parents everyday, I thought more about them, and then missed them even more.
P.S.
Keep a positive attitude! Think of all the great things that are happening right now. Maybe you're away at college or starting a new life? (like me!)
Focus on making a new home instead of missing an old one. And if you're only gone temporarily try to enjoy what you are experiencing now. When you return, you will not want to look back and see that all your time was spent in misery.
I'm only here until December- so I'm trying to make the best of it!
I wish anyone else going through this the best of luck!
Sincerely,
Margaret
xoxo
