‘Home away from home‘ is a phrase defined as a location which one feels comfortable. I am certainly sure that at some stage of your life, you have heard of such phrase or even implemented ‘home away from home’ in your conversation.
Based on a personal experience, I thought the term was only right to be used when going on a long-term holiday. However, I was wrong. ‘Home away from home’ can be used for numerous occasions, ranging from holiday homes to relocations.
Personally, I understood the meaning of ‘home away from home’ when I was faced with a relocation. Packed with suitcases of memories from a place I will forever call home it was time to start a new chapter. Even though I had experienced studying abroad this time was different! This time I was moving with my family.
I was stubborn to accept reality, and for this reason the first few months were the hardest. At the time I was commencing my second masters; which I thought this would be a good distraction. The days would go by and I was still living in denial. As time passed, people kept saying that you get use to places! However, I was still missing home. I was still missing my friends, and my surroundings.
A year later, I began to acknowledge that I had a commitment to fulfill by completing my masters. Even though I was studying in my birthplace I was eager to go back home. I kept telling myself one day closer towards graduation; and one day closer in getting a job!
As the days would go by my routine consisted of studying and video-calling my friends. My parents were very concerned and kept insisting that I should go out and meet people. However, I was refusing to leave the house, yet to make new friends. I recall my dad saying “you are old enough to make your own decisions. Finish your degree and you can work wherever you like!” So be it, I told myself I will find the strength in me.
I must admit, I did follow my father’s advice. Two years later, having graduated from my masters I told myself “Well, this is home away from home”. While flying back and forth during my vacations, I understood that being away from home meant places might change, but memories wont. Familiar surroundings will always remain and true friendships will last a lifetime.
Even if ‘home away from home’ is a temporary or a long term relocation make sure you accept the adventure and the new beginning. During my experience, what I have learnt the most is that ‘this is not the end; and I can always go back home’.
So if you are relocating here are a few personal pointers which can ease the relocation:
1. Keep positive
Photo by Lidya Nada on Unsplash
2. Make your move easy and stress-free
Photo by Erda Estremera on Unsplash
3. Give yourself time to accept that you are away from home
4.Find comfort by keeping busy or building a routine.
Photo by Emma Matthews on Unsplash
5. Take advantage of technology (just like I did) by calling and video chatting your loved ones!
Photo by Neil Soni on Unsplash
6. Enjoy your new chapter and remember this is ‘home away from home’.
***This is a WTM Community post, it does not reflect the views and sentiments of Woman This Month or any of its publications. WTM Writer’s Program is a community of budding writers looking for a platform to grow and implement their passion for writing.
