If you thought moving abroad was scary, you’ve clearly not tried moving back home. So how can you easily adjust to life at home after living abroad?
It takes a lot of courage to step up and start a new life in a different country. But the transition when you come home can be equally as terrifying. Ever heard of reverse culture shock? Not fun. It’s the mix of boredom, bitterness and blandness when you return to a life that doesn’t quite fit you as well as it used to. However, returning home doesn’t have to be a life sentence to the mundane. See this adjustment as a new adventure full of possibilities. And let those opportunities take time to come your way. After all, settling into your life abroad took time (years in my case). Need more advice on settling in? Try these five helpful steps that will have you looking at your move back home as an exciting chapter of your journey.
1. Reach out to friends and family
You’ve not returned home to become a hermit. So first and foremost, reach out to old friends and family. This is not the time to be shy. You were brave enough when you first moved abroad. Now is the time to be brave again. You’ll be surprised at how warmly people respond to a friendly message out of the blue. So think about the people you’ve missed and the people you would be interested in reconnecting with. It’s as simple as asking how they’ve been or inviting them for coffee. And if you end up finding the meet-up a little uncomfortable, at least it’s afforded you some distraction for an afternoon.
School friends, university chums and extended family – they all received pleasant texts and visits from me when I came home. This process of reaching out began before I even landed back in the UK. I was phoning friends and organising dinners for the weeks after I arrived in my town. Seeing my friends and family made my adjustment after living abroad a lot easier. Plus, it reminded me of how great the people I left at home are. And this isn’t to say that I’m not excited to make new friends now that I’m back. Bring on new work colleagues, theatre friends and random strangers who may come my way. But your past friends can be a huge reminder of why home is so beautiful.
2. Get reacquainted with past places
It’s time to get nostalgic. Take a walk around town. Get reacquainted with the streets that you used to know. And remind yourself of just how wonderful your home can be. Living in another country can help highlight the contrast between where you used to live and your life abroad. You might see stark differences in the architecture, the types of shops along the roads or the natural landscape. There is no better or worse, only distinctions. The differences you observe can truly showcase the forgotten beauty of your home. Refamiliarising yourself with areas from your past will make your adjustment to home all the easier. You’ll begin to wonder how you ever left it in the first place.
I didn’t realise how beautiful rivers could be until I came home. I love the way the little boats chug past, chasing ducks out of their paths. Every time I run along the gentle canals, I have to stop and appreciate the simple beauty of my home. That’s not to say I didn’t see a river while I was away. But now I can see the subtle differences between all the beautiful things I’ve witnessed. And I value the one in front of me right now so much more because of my travels abroad. It’s beneficial to return to old pastures and see how much has changed, not physically, but in your perception of them. Appreciation will help you to adjust to life at home after living abroad.
3. Get a job
Boredom is dangerous. Don’t get me wrong; it’s nice to have a duvet day now and again. But months of being a couch potato can wear very thin. You can take on some new hobbies now that you’re back. You finally have the chance to visit some of the places you never saw before you left. Your trips away might have inspired you to see more of your home country. However, unless you’ve got a secret fortune tucked away, your funds will be blown pretty fast. This leaves you with only one option. It’s time to get a job.
Don’t feel the pressure to sell your soul to corporate. Part-time, full-time, freelance or volunteering – any type of work will do. Getting some work once you come home from living abroad can add some structure to your life. This is even more true if you were working while you lived abroad. It’ll help the transition be oh-so-much smoother. Even if your new job is mindless number-crunching, it might allow you to meet new people or discover new passions. Don’t get bogged down if you don’t end up on the career path of your dreams or struggle to find a job. Keep busy and try to pick up some purpose once you return from your adventures abroad.
4. Start a bucket list
I bet you travelled a lot while you were away. Why can’t you do the same now you’re back at home? Perhaps, you’ve already visited the Pyramids of Giza in Egypt or the Taj Mahal in India. But have you seen the wonders of the world that exist on your very own doorstep? Maybe you’re back in the UK, like me, and can’t wait to ride on the London Eye for the first time. Sometimes being a local means you never truly appreciate the landmarks in front of you. Coming back home gives you a newfound sense of wonder, allowing you to appreciate these spectacles for the first time again. And it’s not just places that can land a spot on your bucket list. Think about the things you want to achieve that might have been difficult to accomplish while living abroad.
Now that I’m back in the UK, my list of things to do seems to be growing exponentially. I want to see Stonehenge and visit the Roman Baths and hike up Snowdon. Before I left the country, I remained pretty static. But now I’m back, I’ll be making a real effort to explore my home country. Additionally, I’ve got new goals that I’ve set for myself. Yes, that’s right – I will finally be learning how to drive. The language barriers in South Korea meant that this was a plan I conveniently put off. Coming home doesn’t spell the end of hopes and dreams. Use this opportunity to create new bucket lists and explore the wonders that are a little closer to home.
5. Know when it’s time to leave again
Choosing to move abroad again isn’t quitting. It’s completely fine to return home after living abroad and realise you’d rather be travelling again. Do what makes you happy. If you’ve tried steps one to four and you’re still having trouble adjusting, you might have outgrown your life at home. Perhaps, your adventure abroad isn’t quite as finished as you supposed. Don’t be afraid to pack your bags again and try a completely new country. Never let anyone tell you that it’s time to settle down.
I’ve been at home for about a month now. Honestly, I long to travel again. Daydreams fill my mind as I imagine where my next adventure will lead me. And worse than that, I continually think about revisiting the countries I’ve already seen. Most importantly, I wish to see my friends who are spread across the globe. Soon it’ll be time for me to leave again. Knowing that my visit home isn’t permanent has helped me to adjust better. The fleetingness of being back makes me cherish these moments all the more. And I find myself striving to experience everything I can while I’m back here. Being honest with yourself and realising your adventures aren’t over will help you to appreciate this part of your long-term journey.
Awkward adjustments
It might take you months to adjust after living abroad. It could be a matter of days. Don’t be surprised if it’s never. There’s no rush when settling back into your past life. However, these simple steps can help make the transition much easier. Meeting old friends and seeing past places can expose you to any sneaky reverse culture shocks early on in your readjustment. Rip the plaster off so to speak. Experiencing the differences between your home life and travels abroad can be jarring. Yet it can also demonstrate the beauty of your home. And if you’re still yearning for this beauty, try starting a new bucket list. Go and see the wonders lying just outside. Or fill your spare moments with a job. Returning home is made all the more easily by filling your time with work and bringing some structure to your time. Lastly, know when it’s time to quit. There’s no rule saying you have to stay at home. And there’s certainly nothing to say your past life is right for you. Whatever, you choose to do, this blog is here for you.
Why not get some inspiration for your next travel destination with this post?
Discover more from Nic-Nac Travel Pack
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.
