Moving away from home can be tough. Here are some things you can do to cope if you’re feeling homesick.
Depending on the reason you’re moving out, leaving home can stir up different emotions. For some young people, it can be an exciting and liberating experience. For others, it can be a stressful transition to make or even be unplanned. It’s good to know there are things you can do to feel better if you’re missing home. Here are a few things you can do to cope with feeling homesick:
- Give yourself time: it may take you some time to adjust to your new surroundings. Give yourself a few weeks to get used to things and form a new daily routine.
- Find balance: after moving out, you may feel the urge to go home a lot. It’s important to do what’s best for you while meeting your other responsibilities (attending class, going to work, etc.).
- Keep in touch: schedule phone calls or video chats with friends and family to stay connected and give yourself something to look forward to each week.
- Be kind to yourself: make sure you’re getting enough sleep, eating nutritious food and getting enough exercise to take care of your physical health. You can try meditating, going for a walk outside or taking a warm bath to take care of your mental and emotional health.
- Make yourself at home: decorate your new living space with things that will make it feel more like home. You could bring a favourite pillow, blanket or other item from home. If it’s in your budget, you could go shopping for some new items to help you settle in.
- Put up pictures: put up photos of loved ones in your new living space to help you feel closer to friends and family. You can also set the backgrounds on your devices as photos of loved ones. Displaying posters of things you enjoy can also help you feel more comfortable.
- Get involved: put yourself out there and make new friends in your area, volunteer your time at a local charity or join a club that interests you.
- Stay busy: pick up a new hobby, watch a new TV show, apply for a job or try a new workout routine to keep your mind preoccupied and off of missing home.
- Get support: if you’re struggling with being away from home, you can reach out to a parent/caregiver, friend or resident advisor (if you live on your post-secondary school’s campus). You can always call a Kids Help Phone counsellor at 1-800-668-6868.
Moving away from home can be hard. By making your new space feel like home, staying in touch with loved ones and getting support when you need it, you can adjust and get through feelings of homesickness.
