Always on the outside looking in feeling
#1
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 41
Always on the outside looking in feeling
Read an interesting article this morning on the BBC website about migrants to Oz (yes I know this is the Canada thread) about this feeling of even if you've been settled for years in your new country you can always feel a bit detached – on the outside looking in on something you can't fully understand.
Like to hear from any Brits in Canada that have this feeling of never really belonging and how do you deal with it?
Like to hear from any Brits in Canada that have this feeling of never really belonging and how do you deal with it?
#2
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
Read an interesting article this morning on the BBC website about migrants to Oz (yes I know this is the Canada thread) about this feeling of even if you've been settled for years in your new country you can always feel a bit detached – on the outside looking in on something you can't fully understand.
Like to hear from any Brits in Canada that have this feeling of never really belonging and how do you deal with it?
Like to hear from any Brits in Canada that have this feeling of never really belonging and how do you deal with it?
Next!
#3
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
I feel like I belong but since I don't have any family or history in Canada I know I will always feel British and I am happy with that because that's part of my identity
#4
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
Read an interesting article this morning on the BBC website about migrants to Oz (yes I know this is the Canada thread) about this feeling of even if you've been settled for years in your new country you can always feel a bit detached – on the outside looking in on something you can't fully understand.
Like to hear from any Brits in Canada that have this feeling of never really belonging and how do you deal with it?
Like to hear from any Brits in Canada that have this feeling of never really belonging and how do you deal with it?
#5
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 556
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
That feeling isn't just for people moving to another country. I had that same feeling when I moved from London to a small village in Bedfordshire. Most of us adapt and settle in to a new stage of life.
#7
BE Forum Addict
Joined: Nov 2003
Location: Formally Scotland. Now Bay of Quinte...Ontario
Posts: 2,466
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
Pretty much the same for me. No family or previous history either, however was pretty long in the tooth when I moved over here. This may explain why I think of myself as a 'Scots Canadian'...but happy to be here in Canada and have now accepted it as 'home'.
#8
Part Time Poster
Joined: Jan 2004
Location: Worcestershire
Posts: 4,219
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
Read an interesting article this morning on the BBC website about migrants to Oz (yes I know this is the Canada thread) about this feeling of even if you've been settled for years in your new country you can always feel a bit detached – on the outside looking in on something you can't fully understand.
Like to hear from any Brits in Canada that have this feeling of never really belonging and how do you deal with it?
Like to hear from any Brits in Canada that have this feeling of never really belonging and how do you deal with it?
To put into context snow was a half day novelty for most of my childhood and more than three consecutive days was amazing, days that were over 25c well you had to drive south for that or get on a plane, now I have both every year guaranteed
#10
Every day's a school day
Joined: Jan 2005
Location: Was Calgary back in Edmonton again !!
Posts: 2,667
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
"You can take the boy of of Essex but you will never take Essex out of the boy"...funnily enough i felt the same when id lived in a different part of the UK so not really a Cananda thing...ill never be an 'insert nationality here' Canadian.
#11
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 41
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
#12
Slob
Joined: Sep 2009
Location: Ottineau
Posts: 6,342
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
Read an interesting article this morning on the BBC website about migrants to Oz (yes I know this is the Canada thread) about this feeling of even if you've been settled for years in your new country you can always feel a bit detached – on the outside looking in on something you can't fully understand.
Like to hear from any Brits in Canada that have this feeling of never really belonging and how do you deal with it?
Like to hear from any Brits in Canada that have this feeling of never really belonging and how do you deal with it?
I'm from Brighton. Technically I belong there but it doesn't feel like it when I go there. I know my way around but I'm not part of it any more. I didn't belong when I lived in France, Epsom or various bits of London.
I don't think any of my close neighbours are from Gatineau. At least three are not even Canadian-born and quite a few are Ontarians. It doesn't seem to make the slightest difference to anyone.
What I have noticed over the last few years is that when I'm not here I wish I was. Sure, there are things I don't understand. It would be the same if I moved to Glasgow or Birmingham.
#14
Forum Regular
Thread Starter
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 41
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
Thanks for all the replies so far.
Feel quite reassured as we're about to move to BC.
I guess I don't feel like I belong where I am now and that's why I explored moving away in the first place. The England I knew and loved has disappeared anyway.
I suppose what I was getting at is it too strange or too big a move to last
Feel quite reassured as we're about to move to BC.
I guess I don't feel like I belong where I am now and that's why I explored moving away in the first place. The England I knew and loved has disappeared anyway.
I suppose what I was getting at is it too strange or too big a move to last
#15
BE Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2002
Location: Ottawa, Canada
Posts: 556
Re: Always on the outside looking in feeling
Never felt the need to belong. I moved 3 times in my life and if had to choose one it would be the most recent, here in Ottawa where I have lived for the past 48 years. The place I was born in and lived for 22 years is just a memory and I expect some place I would not feel at home in or even recognise.