Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: How to deal with melancholy
• Method 2 of 3: New social circle
• Method 3 of 3: What is homesickness

Homesickness is an inevitable consequence of moving to another location, especially if you've never done it before. Emotional problems caused by homesickness should be taken seriously. If you are homesick, acknowledge the importance of your feelings and understand why they are visiting you. Accept that getting used to a new place is difficult and that it will take you time to make new friends. So that homesickness doesn't get in the way of your new life, take action.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: How to deal with melancholy

1. 1 Enjoy your freedom. It sounds awful, but this is exactly what will help you to get rid of the feeling of longing. Moving to a new location gives you the power to decide how you spend your free time. Start paying attention to yourself. This must always be remembered, and in a new place it will be easier to take care of yourself. Here are some tips to help you enjoy your privacy:
   • Go in for sports. Raise your heart rate every day by any means. Running will allow you to get to know your area. You will find out where you live and it will become more comfortable for you to be there.
   • Bring something with you so you always have something to do. If you keep a journal, always carry it with you. Place a book or magazine in your bag. Reading or writing in a journal is a great way to keep your head occupied and express your thoughts.
   • Do what you always wanted to do. Skydive, and if you're not ready, head to an art museum. Remember what you wanted to do for a long time. Now is the perfect time for that!
2. 2 Think good. Being alone in a new place doesn't mean being lonely. A person who has no company does not automatically become lonely. Remind yourself of this (out loud if necessary). You can also tell yourself the following:
   • I won't always be alone.
   • I would like to be somewhere else today, but everything will work out here too.
   • Everyone feels lonely from time to time.
   • I am strong, I can survive it.
   • There are people in this world who think of me, even if they are far away.
   • Now I spend time alone with myself, and I need to do this more often.
3. 3 Find alternatives to your usual activities. If you miss the coziness of the cafe you used to visit in your hometown, or you don't know how to find a reliable car mechanic, think about what you liked in those places. Look for similar options in your new city. If you start looking for a new cafe for yourself, it will become clearer to you which places you like.
   • For example, you might realize that in coffee shops you need daylight, but in a new city, you mostly walked in places where there was little light. Perhaps you can find a bright spot with a comfortable armchair, and this coffee shop will become your favorite place. In addition, you can get to know the baristas (and they probably know a lot about the city you have moved to) and see new areas.
   • Remember that in order to get used to a new place, you need to learn a lot about it. Look for something new and try everything that the new city has to offer you: sports clubs, restaurants, nightlife, public transport. You will inevitably compare everything to what you are used to. This will help you feel more comfortable in a new place and find replacements for the places that you went to before.
4. 4 Connect with relatives on specific days. Try to call home once a week on the same day. Perhaps this will not be enough for you, but this way you can sooner take up your life in a new place.
5. 5 Place reminders of dear people and places around. Subconsciously, it will be calmer for you to be where something reminds you of your hometown. Even if the reminders of home make you homesick, you will still be more comfortable in your new place. Place pictures of friends, relatives, or objects that have been in your room that you have seen often all over the place.
6. 6 Write a paper letter. Send a letter to a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. The recipient will be pleasantly surprised and you will enjoy the writing process immensely. If your friend is ready to keep up the correspondence, continue to send each other letters. One letter a month will allow you to keep in touch, put your thoughts on paper, and you will eagerly await a response.
7. 7 Have goals in front of you. If you wait for something, it will be easier for you to maintain a good mood. If you want to do something in your hometown and you have the opportunity to go there, plan your trip in advance. It will calm your nerves, set you up for the future, and remind you of home.

Method 2 of 3: New social circle

1. 1 Remember that changing your social circle is more difficult than a city. You will find a new hairdresser sooner or later, but making friends is much more difficult. Allow yourself to miss the people who were in your life before you moved, and remind yourself that there is no perfect replacement for them. However, these thoughts shouldn't make you feel disappointed in your new life.
   • Understand that in a new city you can not only find new friends, but also start communicating with completely different people. Take action! If you miss some people a lot, call them in the evenings and talk about the events of the day.Gradually, you will have more topics as you will have fun and conversations will become fun and positive.
2. 2 Connect with people who live in the same place as you. There are probably people in your new city who want to get to know you, even if you can't believe it yet. You may have common interests and similar experiences. Look for new people who are somewhat similar to you. For example:
   • If you went to a large university and moved to a big city, you will most likely be able to attend alumni meetings. Look for these activities.
   • If you have moved to another country, look for compatriots.
   • Take a chance. There are sites where you can meet people with the same interests as yours, or just chat with someone new.
3. 3 Accept invitations. If someone calls you somewhere, agree! Don't feel like you need to befriend this person as soon as possible. You will likely meet a wide variety of people, and not all of you will be able to get close. However, you can enjoy socializing, and the more often you meet people, the easier it will be for you.
4. 4 Have dinner at home and cook your country's national dish. This is a great way to remember your usual food and chat with new people. The tradition of eating with friends dates back to long before writing. Invite people you want to get to know better and prepare food that means a lot to you. Tell new acquaintances about your homeland.
5. 5 Volunteer. Volunteering will help you immerse yourself in a new world, find new connections and better understand your place in a new city. Whatever your interests, you can find opportunities to do what you love and meet people who share your views.
6. 6 Try to spend more time with other people. Surround yourself with new people you know. There are many ways to expand your social circle without a lot of effort. If you are a student, remember that you have a large number of opportunities to meet people and move in new circles. To make it easier for you:
   • Search for lists of student organizations. They are usually found on university websites.
   • Explore the bulletin boards at the university. You may be able to attend events that you never knew existed. During their studies, students have many ways of self-expression, from music to KVN. Surely something more interesting will take place every week.
   • Sign up for a varsity sports team. This will allow you to chat with new people and get to know the city better.
   • In the cafeteria, ask permission to sit at an already occupied table and greet everyone who is already sitting there.

Method 3 of 3: What is homesickness

1. 1 Know what triggers homesickness. If you have moved to a new location, especially for the first time (for example, due to study or military service), you will miss what you had before. Know that not having people and places where you feel loved and safe can have a profound effect on how you feel about reality. Homesickness is a longing for the comfort and safety of something you're used to, including your usual schedule and social circle.
2. 2 Know that homesickness goes away. As with all emotions, homesickness can vary in intensity. Don't be surprised if you suddenly feel the urge to be at home. This is all perfectly normal. Your mind and your body simply react to changes in the external environment.
3. 3 Don't be surprised at the intensity of your emotions. Homesickness can have a profound effect on the body and mind. Seek help from a therapist if you cannot deal with the sadness yourself. In particular, look for an increase in the following symptoms:
   • Anxiety
   • Sadness and nervousness
   • Obsessive thoughts about home
4. 4 Tell someone about your feelings. If you went to university, moved to the other side of the country for work, or were sent into the military, you will have someone to talk to about adaptation anyway. If you find it difficult to choose such a person, talk to someone who has experienced a similar move. Failure to acknowledge the presence of longing can heighten your feelings.
5. 5 Meditate. Ask yourself the question, "What am I missing?" Perhaps you miss the kind of person you were and are not yet used to a new version of yourself. New situations force a person to reflect on himself, and this is useful. Discoveries about yourself help a person develop and become more mature.