How to shake homesickness?

[IHopeYouStepOnALegoPiece]

Moved from home last October, only a 1h50m flight away so planned to go back regularly. Obviously that hasn’t happened at all so far.

I grew up in super close proximity to my parents, saw them all the time (3 times a week) now haven’t seen them in 7m and likely to be at least 2 or 3 more.

They’ve both retired this week after years of talking about it and from jobs that made them unhappy, it’s brilliant and I’m so sad I’m not there to celebrate with them. DB and I had talked about taking them to their favourite super fancy restaurant and celebrating them when they finally did it and now they have and I’m really sad I’m not there.

I miss my friends, my old job, what was my normal...I don’t want to move back, I don’t feel like I’ve lived here yet what with lockdown but I would like to pick everything up and bring it here.

It hasn’t been the easiest of transitions, with lockdown I haven’t made any friends really, winter was crap and some other stuff has gone on. Now things are looking up and I’m excited to finally live and explore in this city but I’m having a sudden pang of homesickness and it feels ridiculous. I’m less then 2h away, in normal circumstances...not like it’s the other side of the world but man it feels far today.

Bumping for any advice

Ah it's tough op. We moved to Australia a few years back for dh's work (back in the UK now). As soon as I got there I wanted to come back, I too was very close to family and the pull was so strong! Luckily for me Dd was 1, so I got stuck in to attending toddler groups, I just threw myself in to it, made a real effort to make friends, arranged play dates, went out everyday, started conversations with strangers!! It got to the point where I still missed family but I created an enjoyable life for myself with good friends. You've really got to put yourself put there. Once you've found a good group of friends you'll feel more of a connection with your new home. Good luck

Thank you MooLoo I definitely think some friends would help! I don’t do putting myself out there v well but I think I need to!

I'm irish and finding Comhaltas in Britain has helped me as I'm learning trad music.. and school is a great place to meet other moms and volunteer and get started in stuff... you just have to get involved... but yeah! Covid really has made it a long way to Tipperary!

No I didn't like to put myself out there, it's the total opposite of me!! However, I just thought it's a case of sink or swim, if I don't go all out then I'll end up lonely with no friends so I made myself make a real effort even though I found it really difficult. I'm sure you can do it too op, good luck!

Thanks both!

Things are slowly starting to open up her so I’ve looked at some cooking classes and group meeting ups and I’ll do language lessons when they’re in person again.

I’ll just grin and bare putting myself out there

Bumping this again for any more advice/a handhold/a virtual hug in the absence of a real one (man I miss hugs)

Today’s a bit tough and I don’t want to bother anyone other then a bunch of strangers in MN

Ah strangers are friends you haven't met yet!😊

But how do I make them friends!

Im the exact same!

Nov 2019 moved to Ireland from the UK to live with my partner and have found it very difficult just like you, as im too very close with my family,

I've made majority of my friends through my partner, you slowly get there..

What was your reason for moving?
Many friends at your work?

Thank you for replying, sorry you feel similar!

I’m a nanny and in London had a huge network of nanny friends and although I’m also a nanny here there is no network as it’s just not a city that uses them so I’m really missing that interaction

I moved for a change of scenery and I’m just not sure how I feel about it now!

Hmm,

Good for you taking that jump! It’s so hard and you don’t ever really feel too prepared for the loneliness and the homesickness :(

Have you made 1 friend at least? That could introduce you to more people?
You always think it’s gonna be easy to make friends but it’s so much harder as you get older!

Very hard adjusting lifestyle from a city too to a smaller place, I had the exact same. I went from London to the countryside, hard hard adjustment!

Just got to figure out the pro’s and cons and whether it’s worth it - I’m still trying to decide 😂Good on you though giving it a go x

I'm.in the exact same position. We moved in October 2019, expecting to be able to flit back and forth. Unfortunately, as soon as spring hit and I was thinking about going back for a visit, lockdown struck. I haven't been home or seen my family in person since we left. I have friends here, so I don't have an issue with that, I just want to see my family. We could move back if the travel doesn't open up but neither of us want to live in London or Kent again. Apparently it's an absolute shithole, worse than before, and it's like living in the fucking purge.