Homesick Timeline
 

Just sharing some thoughts for those newly arrived or about to emigrate - the unpredictability of so-called home sickness, and how long it takes to get a perspective.

We've been here nearly 2 years now (arrived Feb 04 this stint), and are flying home for xmas on Sat. Reviewing some pics and video to take back and share, a lot's come into perspective.

To be brief, for the first couple of months it was all new and exciting, so busy sorting our jobs and lives out it was a blur. For the next few months the mrs got VERY homesick, and we had to soldier on to stay out here. 10 months in, our first xmas here, and despite contrary feelings about not sharing with friends and fam, we had a great time, and the next 6 months were awesome. After family visits in April, things took a downturn, the winter set in and we had an epic battle completing our house build. Since then it's been stressful and difficult, but now we finally have a base of our own, we're looking forward to returning in the new year for all the things we're going to make the most of.

SO

For those a few months in and struggling, there's 2 simple options - go or stay. Going I reckon is a waste of time and money unless you're certain it's been the wrong move, you have to fight through to get sorted. But don't think it gets any easier. 6 months ago we both wanted out, so many things irritated and ate away at us. Now we're pretty happy, settled, and thoroughly looking forward to a long hot summer.

Life here is like life anywhere - it depends on job, home, friends and family circumstances. Two years in and we're no wiser as to how long we'll be here, but I'd say stick it at least for that long to give it a proper go.

Here's to a cold wet xmas in blighty, with long time friends and a roaring fire for warmth, and then it's back for sun, surf, all day picnics and sunday sessions. Best of both worlds.

N

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

Thanks for sharing that as it is easy to forget that homesickness isn't usually an immediate thing and it can come and go.
Have a good Christmas.
Nicky

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

We've been here over 2 and a half years.
Had good times and bad, including me breaking my back last year and spending 10 weeks in a full body brace.

Never been homesick for a second!

We've never even contemplated going back for a holiday etc.
There are plenty of other places we want to see before returning to The UK.
Barring very bad news from Scotland, (God forbid) we may go back to see what's changed in 5, 10 years but it's never gonna be on our list of priorities.

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

That a scottish thing? Chippie fitted some doors last month, hadn't been back to Glasgie in 27 years, felt no need.

Actually we are going back for bad news, very ill grandfather. Otherwise it'd be a much needed chillout xmas in the sun.

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I'm with Scossie on this one - not one minute of home sickness in the last 16 months :D :D

Wouldn't dream of going back!! My wife who is very close to her mom and dad misses them terribly but still would not go back.

Life is what you make of it and yes there are some differences but just get on with it and make things work the way you want them to.

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

Sorry to hear of your Grandfathers illness...

As for lack of homesickness being a Scottish thing....
I don't think so. I reckon everyone is different. Some get homesick, some don't.

We are just fortunate that we love it here and though we will always love Scotland, Australia is our home now.
I suppose that if you feel you are home, you can't be homesick.:)

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

yea same here too. We have been here a year in Feb. Neither of us have experienced any homesickness or even thought about home, we certainly have no plans to go back there for a long time yet!

Laura

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

Now that hits the nail on the head.

That's pretty much where we're at. I wouldn't be that strong and say I love it, but I'd say we're happy here right now, feeling quite fortunate, and at the same time appreciate England much more.

A nice mind set to be in.

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I think homesickness hits people for different reasons. I have days of missing home, but it is not UK I miss but my family as at the moment we are all split, I do think that if me, my husband and children were all together then I wouldn't have the days where I feel low. I am really looking forward to the day we all live in Australia.

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

Amanda...how are you...you arrived safely I am guessing??(sorry for hijacking thread!)

Carol

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

Exactly!! I've never had homesickness in all my travels, cos wherever I'm living I make it my home (pizza boxes on the floor, old underwear in the sink, beer can pyramid on the coffee table, you get the idea).

Seriously, wherever I am, (and now of course the wife, and the dog), then thats home. I may miss certain people from time to time, but then I just pick up the phone and call them (at 4 am their time :p )

I've no intention of returning home to N. Ireland or Scotland in the near future. Maybe in 5 or 6 years just to see all the distant relatives and see whats changed.

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

Sorry, the above is my by now traditional post under the wifes login when I get home, before I realise the wifes left the PC logged on under her username :rolleyes:

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

Well we've been here 3 months and I can honestly say that right now I'm homesick. I wasn't until a couple of days ago.
It's a combination of things: my sh!t work situation, hubby being up on the sunshine coast while i'm here with the MIL, Libby being ill so broken sleep for me, my bro in law and wife currently on holiday in England (from Australia) and going to see my mum :( and a couple of other things.
However I do believe that I need to get this over and done with, the right decision was for us to move to Oz and although I'm a bit homesick at present I am well aware that we made the right decision. I think once Christmas is out of the way I'll be back to my old self again.

Marie

Re: Homesick Timeline
 

Been here 2 1/2 years Hubby doesn't EVER want to go back (1/2 scottish does that count?) I've never missed Home but have missed Family and friends. Had parents out twice and will be out again in Feb. Sister coming out Boxing Day so we havent actually spent that long away from family.

Some friends that moved here just before us have been back twice. Pip put it well " the first time I went "back home" to visit the second time I missed home and couldn't wait to "return home" to Australia.

Australia is my home.

Marie, I think you will feel better when you have your own place. No matter how great a relationship it can get hard living under the same roof ( I should know my parents came for 3 months). It's also hard to make real friends if you can't invite them over etc. It's just my opinion but we stayed with friends for a few weeks and we are still very good friends. They also had other friends stay with them and she constantly complained and had to ask them to leave and find their own place before it ruined their friendship.
My husband also worked away (in Sydney) when we first got here and I actually Moved into our first house just me and the kids and Hubby came home to a new place already furnished etc! I felt very lonely but knowing it was the start of our new life and it was our place (we are still renting after 2.5 years) stopped me feeling at all homesick. We got invited out more once in our own place and kids at school we rarely have a weekend to ourselves now.

Louise