The good news is that there are some simple remedies that can help you get through the homesick stage of moving. Here are our tips for dealing with homesickness after a move.
Tips for Dealing with Homesickness After Moving
Get back to your routine
Moving completely throws your schedule and routine out of whack, so if you are also battling the homesickness of moving to an entirely new community, this can compound your anxiety. It helps to get back into your routine as soon as possible. Go to bed and wake up at the same time as you’re used to, grab your favorite cup of coffee, read the morning paper, take a jog, eat your meals at the same time – whatever you were used to doing before the move, make an effort to get back into that routine to bring some normality and structure back to your life.
Mix the old with the new
In addition to getting back into your routine, it’s also helpful to introduce a few new things to it, as well. Your routine might be slightly off if the new place, so rather than feeling sad about what has had to change, embrace the opportunity to incorporate some fresh things into your daily life. Being proactive and purposely adding new elements to your routine inspired by your new community will help you feel in control, as well as excited.
Get involved in your new community
If you are feeling disconnected after leaving behind a place you loved, don’t waste any time before getting involved in your new community. Dive right in by signing up for local activities and organizations to start getting to know people. This will keep you from feeling lonely and help you feel more at home in your new neighborhood quicker.
Explore your new neighborhood
A brand-new neighborhood can feel daunting at first, but instead of focusing on how unfamiliar it all is, take control and start exploring. Look at it as an adventure. Play tourist at first to see all the main attractions, then start digging deeper to get to know it as a local. Try new restaurants, check out the museums and art galleries, go see a show at the theatre, and check out some local small businesses. There are all kinds of interesting things to discover in a new community.
Find something to be excited about
Instead of focusing on what you’re leaving behind, find something to be excited about after the move. Maybe you’re excited about decorating your new home or the new job you just relocated for. Whatever it is, shift your thoughts to that any time you start feeling sad about what you moved away from.
Keep in touch with friends and family
One of the hardest parts of a long-distance move is leaving behind friends and family. Thankfully, technology has introduced some wonderful ways to easily keep in touch. Video calls, such as through FaceTime and Skype, can offer that immediate, visual connection. You can also try handwritten letters for a more old-school, charming approach that will make you excited to check your mail every day. It may be worth scheduling regular road trips back home, too, to really ease your homesickness and help you ease into the new place.