Expat Life: How To Make A Home Abroad Feel Like Home
We’ve discovered that one of the most common causes of ‘homesickness’ is being overwhelmed by the sensation of unfamiliarity that surrounds you – particularly in your new home abroad. Your surroundings have abruptly altered, and you now feel out of place wherever you go. This might lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation as you yearn for ordinary objects, people, and places where you feel safe and know what to anticipate.
Your surroundings have abruptly altered, and you now feel out of place wherever you go. This might lead to feelings of loneliness or isolation as you yearn for ordinary objects, people, and places where you feel safe and know what to anticipate.
If you don’t have even the tiniest of these “comforts” in your new home overseas, it will only make it more difficult to acclimatize. As a result, it’s critical to strive to create a sense of “home” for yourself in your new circumstances.
We make a conscious effort to display tiny parts of our own nation as soon as you formally move into a new house. It’s surprising how much these simple adjustments may help us feel better when homesickness sets in.
Looking to make your new home in a foreign country more reflective of your roots and reduce homesickness? Look no farther than these surprisingly straightforward suggestions…
1. Décor
Although it may appear trivial, the importance of aesthetics in your home should never be overlooked! Hanging a famous London ‘Red Telephone Box’ canvas artwork in your bedroom, for example, may provide you with several times where you wake up and proudly grin at it. Choose a print of a renowned monument, animal, or scenery from your home country and proudly exhibit it!
If that’s not your thing, look up some motivational phrases to hang about your house to give you a pick-me-up when you’re down, or pick a popular pattern, color scheme, or flag from your home country to use on throw pillows, blankets, or bed sheets. You don’t have to go overboard; even a tiny splash of “home” may make a big impact.
You may even use this opportunity to be creative! There are a variety of DIY craft blogs available to assist you in creating original home décor to fit your interests – and you’ll feel accomplished knowing that you created it yourself and that it genuinely expresses who you are!
2. Food
What better approach to make yourself feel at ease than to keep your favorite snacks and meals on hand in your kitchen cabinets in your new home abroad?
When you visit your hometown, stock up on your favorite foods or, better yet, discover a local business that sells the foods you love!
Purchase a recipe book or ask your mother for her secrets, and have some easy-to-prepare dishes on hand for when you miss the flavors of your homeland. Food has the ability to transport you back in time!
3. ‘You’ Zone
We all know that the colors, forms, textures, and indoor climate of our homes have a subtle but ongoing impact on our mood and psychology. As a result, feeling like an outsider in your own house can lead to stress and sadness.
It is critical to establish a living place for yourself when relocating to a new nation. Somewhere you can go whenever you need to be alone, spend time doing activities you like, and reflect on your international travels.
Set up a calm yoga space in your flat, or set up an office area in your bedroom with inspiration and mood boards. Anywhere that makes you feel happy and peaceful is a winner!
4. Photos
We believe that a house isn’t truly a home unless our loved ones’ faces are proudly exhibited for everyone to see! There is nothing more relaxing than pausing to reflect on happy experiences. New visitors may inquire about the photographs, which can lead to an easy dialogue, and we can begin to upload photos of my new adventures overseas to effectively connect our two worlds.
5. Smells
Is there a scent that transports you back to your childhood? Take some time to recall your childhood memories or events in your own country, and pick out a few scents that stand out to you. Whether it’s fresh lavender pouches in your drawers, taper candles, or freshly cut flowers in a vase in the kitchen, you should make sure that anytime you spend time there, you’re surrounded by soothing fragrances.
6. Entertain
Building connections in your new home abroad is one of the best ways to combat homesickness. Make sure your living space fits nicely with your new and lively social life! Make any visitors feel welcome by creating inviting spaces and making the position of host as simple as possible for yourself. Make sure you have plenty of coffee, tea, and easy-to-grab snacks on hand, and you’ll be the ‘Monica from Friends’ of your new town in no time!
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