Feeling a bit down and homesick

[Ozziegirly]

I've been in Oz now since Nov 2007 - Sydney for a year and now in Adelaide since December.

On paper all is great and there are loads of things I love about living here - standard of living is high, our costs of living are low, love the countryside and the lack of drizzle - I even don't mind the odd 45 degree day.

But I am feeling really quite homesick.

Partly I wonder if it's because the first year seemed like a fun adventure, and now it's more like "forever" and I am thinking "is this it?". But also my best friend in the UK is having a baby, I am missing her, and all my other friends and family - we are just so far here and although my parents are coming over later in the year, it will be at least another year until I can go back.

The daft thing is, I'm sure if I went back, all the same things that made me want to leave would be the same.

I guess really I'm asking - has anyone felt fine about leaving, and then suddenly after over a year felt homesick, but then got over it?!?

Hi Ozziegirly, I think everybody goes through this stage and what you are feeling is quite normal, like you said the first year is like an adventure and now you are settled into "normal" life it hits home that this is it! homesick gets worse when things are happening at home, like your best friend having a baby, it brings it home that you are going to miss out on these things. BUT it does get better, you will make new friend and you will be ablt to celebrate things with them.

I hope this helps and perhaps someone else will come along and express it better than me!!

My mum is comign to visit next week and I know when she leaves that there will be tears and sadness, but then it's back to normal family life.

FWIW - I now live down south and still get homesick at times for my family and friends in the Midlands - even a 3 hour drive seems a long way when you want to just pop in for a cuppa!
This won't help much today but it took me a good year to find 'proper' friends that I was really at ease with. I've now been here 4 years and would be very torn if DH said we could move further north (previously I would have snapped his arm off!!)

Just keep getting yourself out and meeting people and remind yourself of the cold here!!

Not very Mumsnet I know, but

It's hard Ozziegirly, I have done the opposite to you in that I moved from Australia to the UK. I had been living away from "home" anyway for four years before moving to London but I do remember the intense feelings of homesickness, and they do get "deeper" when things are happening at "home", major birthdays, births, even Christmas, after being in UK for 10 years I hate because it brings home how far away very many of those so important to us are.

I hope you are able to move past your feelings, it is really heard, and all the best,

from me too (((hugs)))

heard - hard!

Thanks everyone - I think it's just come as a bit of a surprise as I'm normally such an upbeat and positive person!

DH and I went for a nice drive in the country today though which kind of reminded me why we are living here - I do love it and just need to focus on the good I think.

Plus yes, I think when I start finding proper friends it will help too - I'm a pretty social person but haven't found anyone I have necessarily clicked with yet, but I mustn't give up!

Thank you