Kicking the Homesick Blues to the Curb

Homesickness.

The sneaky thing that is never far away when you don’t live close to home. Lately I have been feeling quite homesick, I blame it on the non-existent summer we are having here in Iceland. Especially when I see pictures of everyone back home enjoying the sunshine, it makes it quite hard to not wish I was back there.

Skyping with my sisters over the weekend, (who were about to head off to float the river, one of my favorite summertime activities) it was all I could do to not break down crying. Why is it that when you are growing up all you want is to just leave your hometown, but once you do you realize how amazing it was growing up there?

I grew up in a really small town (population size 5,000 small) and dreamed of the day I would leave my town and travel the world. Here I am doing just that, so why do I find myself aching for the comforts of home so much?

This is not meant to be a negative Nancy type of post, this is real life feelings that I know come with the territory of living abroad. I am not one to let things knock me down for long though and when I am feeling down I have a few tricks I turn to that usually help put a smile back on my face.

Tips to Attempt to Beat the Homesick Blues

1. Plan a day full of tourist activities in our area. This is on the agenda for me tomorrow, I think a visit to Hallgrímskirkja Church for some of my favorite views of Reykjavik is needed. And if your visiting Reykjavik ever I highly recommend a visit to Hallgrímskirkja Church!

Hallgrímskirkja Church
2. Do one of your favorite hobbies. When I am feeling homesick writing down my feelings helps me get my thoughts out, and sometimes it turns into a blog post :) Other times I try out a new recipe or read a good book. Turning to one of the hobbies that I enjoy comforts me and helps push those sad homesick feelings away.

3. Do an exercise that you enjoy. For me, going out for a run along the sea reminds me of how beautiful Reykjavik is and it gives me a chance to clear my mind. Those post work out endorphins help as well.

Iceland, Esjan, Reykjavik

My favorite running path comes with a view that is pretty incredible.

4. Talk to someone who makes your laugh. We all have that person that no matter how down we are feeling can put a smile back on our face. A conversation with my best friend back home always cheers me up and makes home feel like it isn’t that far away.

5. Pamper yourself. Taking a hot bath, enjoying my favorite treat or even a nap, treating myself to something a little extra helps cheer me up. I think a spa day at the Blue Lagoon sounds like the perfect way to treat myself, don’t you? :)

Blue Lagoon, Iceland
6. Make plans with someone in your new area. A lot of times my homesickness hits me when I am feeling lonely. Making plans with my new friends reminds me that I have met some wonderful people here and am not alone.

7. Cry. Maybe not the most helpful advice, but sometimes I just have to cry it out and move on.

8.Watch one of your favorite shows. Watching one of my favorite shows, like Parks and Recreation, takes my minds off things and is always good for a laugh.

rs_500x250-140109091101-tumblr_mxodppKVSk1syeot2o1_500via
9. Tell those close to you how you feel. I often feel like my friends and family back home forget about me a bit. I know this isn’t the case but since they have my blog to keep them in the loop they feel like they know what is going on with me, but I have no idea what is going on back at home. Letting my family know how much it means to me when they take the time to call or email me always results in us talking more which makes me feel less homesick, a win win.

10. Remember why you moved there. Sometimes it won’t be easy but you moved to this new place for a reason. Whether it is a new job, significant other, or school it was something important enough for you to leave your comfort zone and start a life someplace new. Reminding myself of how happy I am to finally be living in the same place as H and the awesome job I have helps put those homesick blues to rest a bit.

If all else fails look at pictures of puppies, Azora’s face always cheers me up:)

Azora PoolIf only life abroad was glamorous trips, delicious new foods and non-stop fun like the movies make it seem. Sadly this is not the case but reminding myself of this amazing journey I am on and getting myself out of my funk helps me feel better.

We all have our own things that work to cheer us up, I hope some of these tips that I use help you if your ever feeling homesick.

Question of the Day?
How do you deal with homesickness? And tricks that work for you?

July 7, 2014 by
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  • http://www.rhymeandribbons.com/ Amanda @ Rhyme & Ribbons

    Pictures of puppies always help :) Sorry ti hear that you’ve been feeling a bit blue. I know that getting myself involved in an activity, even if it’s just reading, can usually distract me enough for the time being. xx

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Yes, distractions are always good. I am a sunshine girl all the way so looking out my window seeing rain all the time makes me miss the beautiful Oregon sunshine. Our trip is coming at a good time to beat off the homesick blues:)

  • http://letuswanderlust.blogspot.com/ Carly @ Let Us Wanderlust

    I can relate so much to your feelings! I felt so homesick while living abroad - at times worse than others, but at least I knew when I was heading home so that always made me get the most out of my time abroad and to cherish it. I know exactly what you mean about family/friends knowing what your doing because of the blog but having no clue what they are all up to! I felt left out at times because I wasn’t in the loop :( I think talking to your family/friends and letting them know how much you love to hear from them, just as you suggest, is a great idea! I hope the homesickness lessens somewhat soon! Do any of your family have plans to visit?? Also, I grew up in a very small town too - 1500 people!! And I could not wait to leave and live in a big city and travel the world. And now I’ve lived in the big city and travelled all over and I live in an even smaller town now - 900 people. I couldn’t be happier! How weird is that?!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      It is so difficult, whenever I talk to anyone back home they are always telling me how they love reading my blog, it makes it feel like I am still there. But I am not, and I don’t get a blog to read about everyone else! So difficult sometimes. Thanks so much Carly:) I know my family would love to visit, just quite expensive and difficult with the little vacation time we get in America. Hopefully soon though, I will be going home at Christmas and am already looking forward to that. Small towns are so wonderful!

  • http://www.lifesajournee.com/ Elicia Shepard

    I love 8,9,10!! Watching a funny show always helps. I like modern family. Telling those close to me that I am struggling really seems to help to & like you said then results in us talking more. Lastly, #10 remembering why we came. Remembering that 95% of the time it’s incredible & will all be over before we know it really helps me!!! Knowing to soak up every moment helps keep it all in perspective.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Modern Family is the best! It is difficult telling those close to you how you feel can be really tough but I find that it often helps. Yes, so agree, soaking up every moment really helps!

  • http://hemborgwife.wordpress.com/ Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife

    Good luck and I promise it gets easier and easier as time goes on.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thank you Bailie :) Did you have any issues with homesickness when you moved to Sweden? I find summertime the most difficult, I miss the sunshine!

      • http://hemborgwife.wordpress.com/ Bailie @ The Hemborg Wife

        I totally did! When I found it hardest was at night when I was trying to fall asleep and all of a sudden I could let my mind wander and think about what my family was doing at home. As your life in Iceland becomes normal and everyday the homesickness pangs will really lessen though. Just keep remembering that you being in Iceland does not mean you are not a part of your family anymore and that when you do see them again it will be easy and wonderful but also that you are doing what is good for you and you cannot live life for anyone else but you.

        • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

          Thanks so much Bailie! Those are some wise words, it does at times feel like I am not apart of the family since I am so far away so I will keep this in mind.

  • http://prettythingandco.com/ Madaline

    For me I just embrace the homesickness and recognize that it is part of “it”. Then I make myself leave my apartment and embrace life. Getting away - like a mini trip helps. My family and I aren’t great long distance communicators (they are my best friends though) so I really don’t talk to people back home that often - it sounds terrible but this really really helps. I also do this with my husband when Im in the usa and he’s in Italy - we don’t talk so much and in some odd way this helps.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Same here, long distance communicating is not my best trait or my families either. It can be so difficult! Leaving my apartment is usually the first thing I have to do to cheer myself up a bit!

  • http://bristolinmypocket.blogspot.co.uk/ Sara Rose

    I miss the little things like floating the river during the summer!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Yes! Floating the river and sitting outside drinking late into the night listening to the crickets, oh home sweet home.

  • http://thethingsiamcrazyfor.wordpress.com/ Camila

    I completely agree with all of these! I think getting yourself busy, whether it’s going out, pampering yourself, watching a show, blogging, it’s just a great way to enjoy life and not think of it! Also I think physical activity really helps, I mean it’s science or something right? And completely true about the crying thing, sometimes you just need to feel sad a little and then move on, maybe you’ll feel better after crying for 20 minutes and it’ll unload the pressure!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Yes! Going for a run is one of the best things I can do when I am feeling down. And sometimes crying is just the cure!

  • http://www.tothedayslikethis.com/ Sammy @ Days Like This

    Homesickness sucks! Sometimes when I am homesick I just want to be by myself and have a good half a day of being sad! I usually look at photos and send a zillion messages to my sis telling her how much I miss her… Get it all out!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Ugh my sisters are what I miss the most! My youngest sister had a hard time talking to me much at first, she said it made her too sad. Talking with them though definitely helps.

  • http://www.cubiclethrowdown.com/ Rika - Cubicle Throwdown

    Ooooooh, I am totally feeling homesick right now. It happens about once a year around this time. I usually go back for a couple weeks in the fall (can’t go any later because I don’t own pants or shoes anymore after living in the Caribbean for two years!) and I can tell when it’s getting close to go because I start crying when I see pictures of my friends at home eating at my favorite sushi restaurant :) I totally agree that a spa day is a great distraction though!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Oh I am dreaming of my favorite sushi restaurant as well! I am missing the warm weather at home right now. A spa day sounds like a great distraction.

  • Lu Bowen

    I completely empathise with you on this one! I moved from South Africa to London 6 years ago, it took a good 3 years before I finally felt like this was my home and even now, I still get nostalgic and home sick for South Africa and the life I had there. Next stop for me will be New Zealand with my boyfriend and I am dreading the home sick side of moving again (fingers crossed it isnt for a few years yet!). Good luck with all your activities, I hope your home sick blues fade soon!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I have been told from many foreigners that it takes two years here to feel like it is home. I am hoping that it happens at some point. I hope your homesickness won’t be a problem next time! Thanks so much Lu!

  • Micah Lambert

    I agree! I am studying in London this month. I have wanted to go to London my entire life, but I still feel homesick for California! Distraction helps me through it :)

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      It is funny how things like that work. I really miss the summer sunshine! Distraction really does help :)

  • David Eusted

    Kit, great to hear you pulled yourself out of the blues! The blues are way over-rated. You needed a kick in the butt, as you know we didn’t raise you girls to ever feel sorry for very long. You are doing what you want and we are all proud of you and enjoying your adventure via your blog with stories and photos! You are on holiday and go enjoy it every day! We are looking forward to hearing about holiday in the warm sun! Remember to always choose to be happy! You’ve learned a lot about yourself in the last 25 years! We will see you at Christmas and hello to H. Love, Dad

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thanks Dad:) Hard being on your own away from everyone. I may be 25 but still need my Dad! can’t wait for my visit at Christmas. Love, Kit

  • http://voyageofthemeemee.com/ Amanda MeeMee

    It’s a natural thing, but, it’s good that you have back-up plans for when it does! :) I’ve always been a HUGE homebody. I literally cried all the way up through the 6th grade because I missed home so much. When I moved in with Pete, it was the first time I’d lived on my own and I cried for months, no joke… and my mom only lives 20 mins away! haha

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      I am glad you understand where I am coming from! Why must we grow up!

  • http://www.chicadeedee.com/ Dannielle @ Chicadeedee

    I get so annoyed when people just think I’m on a constant vacation. Yes, I live in a different country, but I’m still just living my life. Thankfully I’ve got weekends off and England has gives a lot of holiday days :) Keep on seeing the positives!

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      It really is so annoying when people just assuming that since you live abroad you are on a constant vacation, so not the case! Thanks girl, all the European vacation time really helps!

  • David Eusted

    Kit, you are doing great and getting to experience something you wouldn’t if you were still in Oregon. Now is your time in life to do this, before you have more responsibities and more tied down. You can get dog anytime, but that will change how you think about travel as well. Find that neighbor, who would love to have their dog ran and make a new friend. I remember well living far away when I was young and that was long before modern media, that allows instant communication. Lots of hand written letters in those days, because all calls were long distance. Do something fun every day this week, while you are waiting for H. to be on holiday with you on your great planned trip. Have fun, take lots of pictures and see all you can! love, Dad

  • http://speaking-denglish.com/ Alex, Denglish Speaker

    Sometimes you totally have to cry it out and it’s 100 percent ok. I think the fourth of july makes being away pretty hard - seeing all these photos of people having insanely good weekends. This is all great advice though. You’re finding the positives where you are, which is most important.

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Thanks Alex, as someone who has been abroad way longer than me I am glad to hear it is okay to just cry it out!

  • http://englishgirlcanadianman.blogspot.ca/ Holly Nelson

    Ahhh homesickness, the thing we all get so often! It helps writing about it too, I think. You are so lucky to live so close to the lagoon - bliss! But, you are right that when you are there it becomes less exotic. Niagara Falls is positively commonplace for me now! Feel happier soon xxx

    • http://unlockingkiki.com/ Kaelene Spence

      Writing about it really does help me feel better. And I agree, when you live so close to something it losses the extra wow factor. Thanks Holly:)