Hi guys, to start with I thought I would introduce myself. I’m Amanda and you can visit my blog Classic Grl at https://www.classicgrl.com. I write about family, life, love, adventures and everything in between. When I moved from Australia to the UK, I wrote about it on my blog.
After living in the UK for a little over a year, I sometimes feel surprised when I get homesick. I feel happy living here and love my little family, but at times it all gets to be a little too much.
I haven’t seen my family since they visited last year in September and at the moment we have no set plans to see each other. At the moment, I am just over 23 weeks pregnant with my first baby and it is has been so hard not being able to share this terrifying and beautiful experience with them. My mum and older brother are hoping to visit in October when the baby is due, but no flights have been booked yet. And it’s unlikely I’ll get to see my dad or younger siblings any time soon.
My older brother recently celebrated his 25th birthday my family back in Australia had dinner together. I received an email from my mum telling me how they had a lovely time, but when they went to take a family photo, my brother said “There’s one missing…”. I accidentally opened the email while I was at work - cue me sitting at my desk trying to blink back tears - my hormones being all over the place at the moment probably doesn’t help.
I’m not going to lie, leaving behind everything I had ever known to be with my partner was the hardest thing I have ever had to do. I didn’t realise just how hard it was going to be until I was on the plane. I miss them so much every single day. But I wouldn’t have things any other way because my partner is my best friend and my world (sorry for being so soppy!)
So while I am feeling a bit homesick, I thought I would share with you some ways that I connect with my friends and family in Australia. Hopefully these things will help if you are living overseas and missing the ones you love:
Skype - this is an obvious one - Skype is a fantastic way to keep in touch with friends and family overseas. I am lucky enough that we all have iPhones too so we generally use FaceTime instead of Skype. It is so special to be able to talk to my friends and family on a video call and see their smiling faces.
Whatsapp - I keep in touch with most of my friends and family through Whatsapp. We can’t always talk on Skype/FaceTime because of the time difference or because of life getting in the way, but we are always sending each other instant messages and photos using this great little app.
Email - when I first arrived in the UK, I would email my mum and sister often. We don’t as much now because there are so many other ways to keep in touch, but I received an email from my mum last week. It reminded me just how special it is to receive a slightly longer message and it really meant a lot to me.
Write a letter - while there are so many ways to keep in touch online, I’ve always felt that receiving a letter or a card is much more special. Obviously it takes much longer to arrive, but it is something that your friends or family can keep and read over and over again.
Send a gift - I always try to send a gift to my friends and family for their birthdays, mother’s day, father’s day and Christmas if I can manage it. With a baby on the way, this has been a little bit harder recently. But it is a lovely gesture and I know my friends and family really appreciate it - it helps to remind them that I’m thinking of them.
Make them something - if you’re the crafty type like me, try making something to send to your friends and family. It is winter over in Australia at the moment so I’m thinking of making a lovely warm scarf to send to my best friend. I’m also in the middle of making a cross stich picture for my little sister.
Call them - it may not be the same as seeing them in a video call on Skype or FaceTime, but if you surprise your friends and family with a phone call every now and then I’m sure they will love hearing your voice. I add credit to my Skype account when I want to call my family.
I hope this post has been helpful and has given you some ideas if you are living overseas and are away from your loved ones. Remember these tips when you want to remind your friends and family that you love them and are thinking of them.
These are great tips!
ReplyDeleteAgreed! Amanda did a great job with this list.
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