Homesick!
 

Ok, i hold my hand up! I am very homesick! :o

Anyone else feel the same way? (Ive been in Perth for 4 and 1/2 months)

You know the months (years even) prior to emigration I couldnt wait to come to Australia and start a 'new life'.

I had a holiday about 10 years ago and loved it. But that was a holiday.

The reality is somewhat different.

Yes I wore the 'rosie glassies' (hope thats right expression) and life looked so wonderful.

The reality is....

Yes Australia is beautiful...in fact stunning.

But you cant pop round to your Mums for a brew and a chat. Nor can you call round at your best mates for a chat and a laugh.

I feel very isolated.

The time difference (7 hours in front in Perth, soon to be 8) does make a difference. When its evening here most family and friends are out working or at weekend just out ( I know I always was) Its difficult to syncronize.

Anyhow apologises for feeling so gloomy anyone else feel like this?

TF

Re: Homesick!
 

oh tigerfeet,

firstly you dont have to apologise to anyone on here, you obviously need to chat.

i camn only imagine how you are feeling and am sure you must feel very low. everyone seems to say that with time it does get easier.

i just want to say try to keep your chin up, look forward to summer, but i'm sure there'll be loads on here who are already out in perth who might come to your rescue and help lift your spirits.

all the best and i hope you feel better soon, i'll send you some karma to help you on your way :)

debbie x

Re: Homesick!
 

Hope in time this feeling passes for you.....i dont really know what else to say
except here's a great big cyber hug for you
<<<<<<<<<<<HUG >>>>>>>>

Re: Homesick!
 

9 months in.. and yep still get the odd twinge.. my brother was here last week (totally unexpected visit) and when he left.. god did I want to get on the flight with him...until he let slip, he was moving away from home as its a bit boring there now.. its not the same as when I left..

basically, everyone has moved on.. its not the place I left..

I am presuming.. it will be the same for you as well... people and places move on.. ditch those rose coloured glasses and remind yourself why you wanted to come to aus...

Re: Homesick!
 

Thank you Debbie for your karma, Issa for your hug and sloake for sharing your thoughts. It means a lot.

Thankyou again,
TF

Re: Homesick!
 

Just wanted to send you some karma, many years in Oz I felt "isolated", hard feeling to describe, on the outside had a good job, friends, husband but something felt missing.

Been back in UK 18 months, planning to return to Australia at some point but the longer I am here and the more settled I have become.

When I remember those "feelings" I got over there for homesickness, I am not sure if I could cope with them again and if moving back to Australia is such a good idea.

Chin up :o

Re: Homesick!
 

TF I can only reiterate what i put in the other thread and also agree with everything everyone has said ...

take it from someone who knows ... nothings changed back here in the uk ... all the reasons you left for will no doubt still be here ...

Keep you chin up and i'm sure in a month or two you'll start to feel a little better and you'll be on here telling us how you can't believe you ever felt down ;)

Re: Homesick!
 

YES I AM HOME SICK.
But do i want to go back to live in England, no no no no no no no no no no no no no NO NO
MAKE FRIENDS WHISTLE A HAPPY TUNE BUY SOME ONE A BEER, ME!:beer:

Re: Homesick!
 

You wouldn't want to be in the uk. It is raining, it is cloudy, a 12 year old girl had her face slashed with a knife in the middle of a lesson because she tried to stop someone else being bullied, and in no time at all you will have a best friend to pop round to out there. Don't know what to say about missing your mum as I don't have that kind of relationship with mine but I know how much I am going to miss my daughter.

Big hugs to you and I hope you are feeling a little more connected with Aussie life soon.

Annexxx

Re: Homesick!
 

Hi TF

Have you tried meeting up with other BE members who are in Perth. I'm not sure whereabouts you are in WA or your circumstances but there's a coffee morning advertised on here for expats.

I do feel for you. I have some wonderful friends here but no family and although I'm quite a way from getting to Oz right now I am a bit nervous of starting again and leaving my mates.

Just think, by the time I get to Perth (if) you can be the one befriending me.

Suzy x :)

Re: Homesick!
 

Hi Tiger Feet,

You're experiencing what I expect everyone goes through - we're flying out on 25th November with the kids on a one way ticket and admit to feeling very happy / nervous / S**t scared in equal amounts!

Where abouts are you living and do you have any kids? We are hoping to settle around Secret Harbour - if you're local to there and want to associate yourself with a nuthouse, you're more than welcome to hook up with us before christmas!

Chin up - get that kettle on!

Jules x

Re: Homesick!
 

Do you know that I see my mum and sister almost every day and there isn't a day that goes by whereby I try to imagine what it will be like not having them in my life and there are times when it almost causes me to stop breathing because I know that I am going to miss them sooo much. But, then I try to imagine my life as it is now and in the future, staying here in this country, and that makes me even more breathless. I love my mum and sister dearly, and all my friends that I will be leaving behind, but I try to concentrate on my reasons for contemplating why we embarked on this journey in the first place and I realise that we are doing the right thing.

I hope that your homesickness, which is perfectly normal and understandable, passes soon and that you make new friends that can fill the void you so obviously feel right now.

A big cyber hug for you to make you feel a bit better.

Take care

Sarah

Re: Homesick!
 

thankyou so much for all your response.

I have to say I never really gave homesickness a thought before we came to Perth and maybe thats why it has hit me so hard.

I am guilty of taking my Mum, brother, sister. aunty, nana for granted, as well as my best mate.

As with myself and everyone on here we have to live our dream.
Although I feel down in the dumps now I know in my heart things will get better. I have to believe that.

I have an aunty who said 'if it doesnt work out you can always come back...' At the time I shunned the comment thinking 'how negative, it will work out'

I now hear her words ringing in my ears....

And you know what?

She is right.

But I know I have to give it time. I know that for my own peace of mind.

Bless you Jules, Sarah, Suzy and Merlotsmum

TF
xx

Re: Homesick!
 

:( I gave you a hug and was nice to you too :( Only joking :D

Re: Homesick!
 

couldnt agree more anne! have seen the girl in question today, she's in the hospital i work, poor little thing, her face has been stapled!!

Re: Homesick!
 

Anne, I don't normally do cyberhugs but will send you one 'cos you are always nice to everyone.

suzy x :)

Re: Homesick!
 

well said Anne - i can relate to much of what you say - jacs x :)

Re: Homesick!
 

bloody hell :(

Re: Homesick!
 

My remedy for homesickness is to go home on a holiday. Seriously, we went home less than 12 months of us being here and it was the best thing ever. We had a fantastic time, still very fresh in my head ( we were home in may/June) and it didn't seem so emotional since we had only left home the previous august. We were missing the usual, family, friends, your local, (I'm Irish what can I say, our local is up there with family and friends), but when we got home the things we were missing so much, were not such a big deal after all. My point being, that I feel if we waited longer than this to go home we would have built up all the things we were missing. We had agreed to go home within our first year and therefore had budgeted for it, and I would love to go home at Christmas or even next year but I know that will not be financially feasible. If we had qualified for the world cup my husband would have miraculously found the money to go home but lets not go there. I hope you feel better soon, it doesn't last forever, but it does take some time to re-adjust, I think we forget sometimes what a massive move we have all undertaken, we have up rooted our lives, from everything that is familiar and trekked to another continent as well as the other side of the world. And while we have all done it with the best intentions, that doesn't mean that it isn't be tough at times. Thankfully I haven't experienced too much homesickness, mind you I did cry my eyes out on Christmas eve and new years when all my family rang me, ( and my sister thought it was a good idea to play Mary Black down the phone) but thats to be expected.
Personally, I love it here and thankfully all has gone really well so far, we have bought our own home and I am about to open my own business, ( I am a beauty therapist), all in 14 months of being here. But I do hope you feel better soon, and I must say, while I don't post threads often, I do log on regularly, and reading everyone else's posts can really help make you feel better if you are having a down day.Take Care. PS didnt mean for this post to be so long..... Deirdre

Re: Homesick!
 

There was a chap on our local radio today saying that teachers have enough "power" to disipline children and bringing back the cane is a bad thing that encourages this kind of behaviour in children, what planet are people like this on, that poor child. Andy

p.s. sorry to hijack your thread Tigerfeet, wishing you all the best.

Re: Homesick!
 

Sending you some positive vibes :) . Sorry you're feeling so bad. Do you have company through the day, or are you at home on your own? That will be me in a couple of months when we come to Perth I'm sure :rolleyes: . I'm coming over for a week or 2 in November if you want to meet up for a coffee and some company?

I hope you get through this and soon be the one who can give advice to others (ie. me) when they get homesick too.

It's hard to pick yourself up when you get so low, but we're "rooting" :D for you. My brother told me when he emigrated to the States that when he was homesick he found that if he kept busy it distracted him from it. But then he is a man :rolleyes: :D .

TJ

Re: Homesick!
 

Oh Anne...

this is so sad..... :(

thankyou for your support,
TF

Re: Homesick!
 

I hope migrating goes well for you ......your great relationship with your family is a very tough thing to leave behind....it can not be replaced.......in fact I "personally" could not imagine there is anything more valuable on the planet than that.........well thats besides the point and you must do what your heart and what your gut feels is right or you will never know......life is just a journey anyway.......don't ever let anyone steal your dream....good luck

Re: Homesick!
 

I cant imagine what being homesick is like and no doubt I will find out if/when its my turn.

All I can say is to make the most of your surroundings and your family and when you are finally settled and sipping a cold beer and you see your family content, then you know you have done it, given your family a successful new life.

A job well done. :)

Re: Homesick!
 

I felt homesick for England when I was 8 and we moved to Australia. Then over the years, I got over it but pictured England as this magical place. I came back twice on holiday (21 and 23) and then moved back to England in 1999 aged 24. I now wish I'd stayed in Perth. I think alot of it is, missing my close family (my family here, are down in Bristol & living in Australia so long, kinda distanced us from them somewhat). Anyway, I like England alot, and I am proud to be English but I miss Australia and I am equally proud to be an Australian citizen. :o So it is a catch22 position with me.

I am stuck here at present due to a loan and credit cards. But I want to move back next year and hope we can afford to apply for a visa for my partner by then.

Have I worn Rose Tinted glasses when remembering Australia???? hell YES! Going back on holiday will be vastly different to living there and within 6 months I will probably be whinging! But the grass will always be greener on the other side!

Maybe you should try meeting up with other ex-pats - because that way you are all in the same boat.

Goodluck :D

Susan

Re: Homesick!
 

Just wanted to say thank you so much for all the support I have recieved and its comforting to know Im not the only one to feel this way.

Also thankyou to the many pms I recieved, had quite a few and I will reply to them all soon.

This week I have busied myself applying for jobs, (only admin/office) and I feel a bit more positive, hopefully hear something soon.

Thank you again, bless you all, :)

TigerFeet

Re: Homesick!
 

Sorry to hear that you are suffering TF.

Things always seem worse this time of year. As soon as the weather improves it will get much better.

I know how you feel about your Mum! I thought that I could cope without the nagging she did.... would do anything to listen to her harping on over a game of pool now in a village pub whilst we check out the eligible men for her :D

I hope that you soon find a close friend to you as this can make things a lot easier. In the mean time we are more than happy to lend you a cyber shoulder to lean on when you need.

Re: Homesick!
 

Hi woodyinoz and thanks for your support. :)

Just as I was reading your post my Mum has just text me! The message was to see if I am ok and send her love. :)

Thanks for your cyber shoulder too. I have days when I feel really good and positive and then days when I really do just want to go back to UK.
Im feeling good today though, I feel positive about the jobs Ive applied for. Hope Im successful. (Fingers xed!)

TF

Re: Homesick!
 

I'll be keeping my fingers crossed that you find a nice job with lovely people who will treat you well and turn into good mates. :D

Re: Homesick!
 

Hi Tigerfeet.

What can I say apart from "I understand". Everything you say you feel...I have felt at one level or another. :(

Go into the Moving Back site, check out a post I did called "Does it ever stop aching". That was me at 5 months in.

It's now 15 months in. I've dealt with homesickness to such violent extremes I thought about packing our bags on a daily basis. I've endured the death of my Dad, and the guilt ridden burden I carry of leaving my widowed Mum alone in the UK.

One thing stands above everything else: WE ARE STILL HERE!! :D The feelings get easier to cope with day by day. It's like grief in a way, they never go completely, you learn to adapt and live with them. Your feelings will hopefully become more bearable with time, I hope they do.

Don't give yourself a hard time over it, you've been through so much emotion just to get here, now you have to deal with the stress of re-building your life. Not an easy task. It is an incredibly hard things you have done and I'm sure, just like all of us here, you didn't expect it to be easy in any way, shape or form. It's just that none of us can ever understand just how hard it is until you actually do it!

Good luck to you. I hope it works out for you and you start to feel better soon. :D

Re: Homesick!
 

Hi TF
Sorry to hear you're feeling so low. There are a bunch of us meet up every Thurs at the Dome at Hillarys (or the tables across from it if its sunny) around 12-12.30ish. Everybody is welcome to come along. Hope you can make it tomorrow or sometime soon.
Yvonne x

Re: Homesick!
 

I sincerely symapthise with you.... to give you some background...

I lost my Mum 30th August 2004, we were still in the Uk. Unfortunately it was a sudden death, and came as a MASSIVE shock to us all... especially as the day it happened, we were out celebrating at TGI fridays, with the kids, that wed finally got our visas...

Anyways, shortly after the funeral, and the wake at my house, i turned to Debs and said lets just ****in do it babe !!!

So we did.. and you know, if im real honest with myself, if NOT for the fact we moved here on the pretence that for once in our lives we were gonna be selfish, then we wouldnt have survived..

I can agree with you on the popping round mates and family bit, but then its like anything in life, to get what you want or get away from soemthing you dont want, there is unfortunately a price to pay...

In all of our cases, which is why BE works so well ;) at times ... is we can all have a bitch, and a belly ache and get reassurance when needed... but the fact is, at sometime in the past present or future we will all be home sick in one shape or another.. thats LIFE

You have done what you set out to do, stay firm, and if all else fails, be true to yourself, if nothing else, self worth andhonesty will rule the roost. :)

God Bless Steve

Re: Homesick!
 

:)
excellent post steve, glad its working out for you

Re: Homesick!
 

tHANKS :)

Re: Homesick!
 

Just wanted to send you a hug too Tigerfeet - at least you know that there's other people in the same boat and that it usually does get easier. I can understand it must be really hard for you feeling homesick but as I'm still here I can't offer you a cuppa but I'm on t'internet a lot so just msn me if you feeling lonely and fancy a chat. Nice to see you've been given loads of encouragement on this thread :)

Good luck with those jobs you've applied for.

Kath x

Re: Homesick!
 

I think it takes a long time to get settled somewhere. I have been in Sydney for almost 10 months now and I still feel homesick but it is better than 6 months ago!

A big help to me was meeting some people off this place BE...some of those guys have become such good friends and are there for me which is just what I needed.

Too, people back home do move on, my best friend is now moving to Malayasia so she defo will be moving on...

The best advice I can give is to take each day as it comes, don't think of where you are staying as being there forever, it isn't...it maybe but not right now, just chill....give yourself about 2 years...a long time I know but not that long...

Re: Homesick!
 

wise words !

Re: Homesick!
 

You may find some of my observations under "Is it homesickness" in "The returning to the UK" forum chime with yours. I have been keeping a bit of a diary of my thoughts during the couple of weeks I returned to the UK. I was hoping it would cure my homesickness and that after an October in the UK I would be rushing to get back to the sun. Alas not so.

Re: Homesick!
 

Tf, you may miss family but friends are where you make them. Go out of your way to chat to others, evenings out and coffee will follow. Your lucky to have been given the oppertunity to try a new life in Australia. So try not to be down and look ahead with positive thinking......hope it all works out
kerry xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx

Re: Homesick!
 

Sorry to hear your so homesick my youngest son lives in Sydney and i miss him so much we hope to move to oz next summer and if we lived closer i would have you round for a bit of TLC and a hug hope you feel more settled soon Janet