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Original poster

My soul aches for England

232 replies

Supertatofortea · 03/12/2023 09:56

I live in another European country

Seeing all the snowy posts and the variety of fun Christmas things to do has made me pine for it more 😢

OP posts:
Tryingmybestadhd · 03/12/2023 11:06

We left England to one of the U.K. countries a few years ago and the only thing that fills me with joy bem I see the n gains it have to travel there is dread 😂!

VanityDiesHard · 03/12/2023 11:08

gingercat02 · 03/12/2023 10:26

We have a lovely covering of snow, and it's very pretty. I'm one of the rare Brits who likes snow and doesn't mind driving in it.
If you are reasonably well-off, Britain is fine. Sadly, if you are poor, it is appalling.

Sadly, if you are poor, it is appalling.

Not as appalling as many countries in the world. We at least have free healthcare and some public services. I don't think we are perfect, but there are far, far worse places to live even if you aren't wealthy.

Unwisebutnotillegal · 03/12/2023 11:10

Ah yes huge inequality, use of food banks, collapsing infrastructure, nhs shambles and an education system on its knees.

englishrose1234 · 03/12/2023 11:10

CalistoNoSolo · 03/12/2023 10:02

My soul aches for England (and the rest of the UK) too, but for very different reasons.

👏🏻

cardibach · 03/12/2023 11:12

JaneyGee · 03/12/2023 10:40

Wow…somebody saying something positive about England!! I had to re-read your post OP. I’m so used to sneering hatred towards this country that I find it hard to compute.

Nobody sneers at the country or hates it. What would it even mean to hate a country?
I dislike the weather intensely between November and late May.
I hate the shit show of a government.

willWillSmithsmith · 03/12/2023 11:13

Tryingmybestadhd · 03/12/2023 11:06

We left England to one of the U.K. countries a few years ago and the only thing that fills me with joy bem I see the n gains it have to travel there is dread 😂!

I’d agree with you if I knew what you meant.

cardibach · 03/12/2023 11:14

inamarina · 03/12/2023 10:47

I know, right? The amount of people I heard complain about the cold, snow and fog in the last couple of days you could get the impression it’s March or April and not December.

Show quote history

What difference does the time of year make to how miserable it makes me? How much it costs to make the house bearable? How much it makes me dread going out to do the things I enjoy?
I don’t moan because I expect it to be any different. I moan because it’s fucking horrible.

RosesAndHellebores · 03/12/2023 11:17

Am I the only one tickled by the fact that the OP @Supertatofortea is pining 🎄 🎄 for this time of year in England/the UK.

I agree with pp's who have articulately set out what a great place the UK is.

Dontcallmescarface · 03/12/2023 11:18

No snow in this little corner of the West Country....it's back to pissing it down.
I know what you mean though, this time of year my soul aches for Australia. I hate the cold, damp, miserable winters here.

DustyLee123 · 03/12/2023 11:19

Snow is lovely when you don’t have to go anywhere in it!

ToWhitToWhoo · 03/12/2023 11:19

Don't most (all?) countries in Europe celebrate Christmas? I know some emphasize Christmas Eve more than Christmas Day, but it comes to the same thing.

And surely the availability of fun activities will depend, in any country, on where one lives? There will be more in a big city, or in the (nowadays rather unusual) type of village where there is a close and active community, than in a remote-ish area where people mostly don't know each other.

As for snow, as far as I'm concerned, it can get in the sea, literally and figuratively! It makes life a nightmare for anyone who either (a) has any disabilities or (b) needs to drive, and it doesn't really make things 'Christmassy'; it probably wasn't snowing in Bethlehem. I always say that, if travelling were easier for me, and if I ever had enough time, money and energy all at the same time, I'd travel somewhere warmer for Christmas. Hasn't happened yet, but one day... (Fortunately no snow so far where I live, though the last few days have been cold and unpleasant.)

Barnowlsandbluebells · 03/12/2023 11:20

I used to feel exactly the same as you when we lived overseas. Being back means life is absolutely perfect. Today's views are just stunning.

Souvenir81 · 03/12/2023 11:22

Supertatofortea · 03/12/2023 09:56

I live in another European country

Seeing all the snowy posts and the variety of fun Christmas things to do has made me pine for it more 😢

I think you are just homesick; it is not that is better or worse than where you live, just that you miss the things you grew up with, the familiarity, friends, home food, family, even crappy weather.

Why did you move away?

Testina · 03/12/2023 11:22

I was enjoying my time at 03:00 with the AA and still have to drive 10 miles today to recover my abandoned car. I’m more tired than soul achey.

5128gap · 03/12/2023 11:26

If you have good health, enough money to meet your needs and some left over to meet your wants, have your family safe and close and/or a group of fun people around you, you might get close to that idealised pre Christmas image. Unfortunately for many people the weather and the cost and extra work of the festivities just adds another layer of stress to already difficult lives. People who think disliking winter and Christmas are 'miserable' are just showing their privelege.

PriOn1 · 03/12/2023 11:26

I’m back in the UK after fifteen years in another country (Scandi) and I’m loving how many Christmas events there are everywhere and all the small things I’d forgotten, like Christmassy bits on TV announcements. Christmas celebrations were good where I was and there was plenty of snow, but there’s something about the familiarity of things I grew up with that is comforting and comfortable in a way I never really felt abroad, nor could I recreate it.

It is what it is, OP. I hope you find something to lift you. If it’s Christmas you want, can you create a Spotify list of all the UK Christmas songs you remember?

Souvenir81 · 03/12/2023 11:29

No snow in the south, just grey sky and a bit of rain

SlightlygrumpyBettyswaitress · 03/12/2023 11:32

Nothing wrong with being homesick.

Xtraincome · 03/12/2023 11:37

We are in a county I don't actually like (UK) very much but everyday something festive is happening nearby which is great. I do love this time of year and find Summer insufferably (not a word) dull. I am all about cold months and big jumpers and hot comfort food.

Lifeomars · 03/12/2023 11:41

The snow did look lovely this morning when I got up, less lovely is the fact that despite the cold I will still have to ration the heating as it now costs me almost three time as much to have the heating on for half the time I used to do. Did a top up shop ( I live alone) the other day and it cost me £22, not even bought stuff to make meals with. I recall when a top up shop used to cost about £15. My standard of living has really dropped and I am nostalgic for the days when I could keep warm without having this constant undercurrent of stress due to the cost of everything. I would love a day like today if I felt warm and cosy, I would sip hot chocolate and lose myself in a book, glancing up occasionally to watch the snow fall.

NamechangeForthisquestion1 · 03/12/2023 11:42

My soul aches to leave England 😥

Jaichangecentfoisdenom · 03/12/2023 11:43

CalistoNoSolo · 03/12/2023 10:02

My soul aches for England (and the rest of the UK) too, but for very different reasons.

^^This. It's what I thought your title meant.

Combusting · 03/12/2023 11:43

CalistoNoSolo · 03/12/2023 10:02

My soul aches for England (and the rest of the UK) too, but for very different reasons.

This summarises my feelings.

MrsMacGyver · 03/12/2023 11:44

Emigrated to Australia 30 years ago. I was constantly homesick for two years, especially at Christmas. Then something changed! Fell in love with Australia and couldn’t bear the thought of leaving! An Australian author, George Johnston once said; something along the lines of ‘when you emigrate/ live abroad you end up with a foot in each country and a home in neither’. I understand how you feel OP it is a physical almost visceral ache. Sending you a Christmas hug x

ItsNotOkItsNotTheEnd · 03/12/2023 11:47

Snowy posts? We have rain here 🙄

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