Feeling Far Away From Home: My Personal Ways to Cope

As I sit here, surrounded by unfamiliar sights and sounds, my mind often wanders back to the comforts of home. The phrase 'I'm far away from home' is one that has become all too familiar to me lately. But even in the midst of this adventure, there are ways to bring a sense of home with me.

One of the simplest yet most effective ways I've found to feel closer to home is by carrying sentimental items with me. For instance, I packed my favorite shoes - running shoes, hiking shoes, flip-flops, and black flats - in a sheet protector and brought them along. Reading cards from loved ones when I'm feeling homesick makes me feel just a little bit closer to them.

Another way I've found comfort is by creating a sense of routine. I try to find a local coffee shop wherever I am in the world and indulge in a cup of freshly brewed coffee. There's something universal about the smell of coffee beans and steaming milk that instantly brings me back to home.

When I'm feeling particularly far away from home, I remind myself of the little things that make life more comfortable. Like crawling into my own sheets every night - even if it's just in a hostel room - or savoring a taste of something familiar like Birthday Cake Oreos.

Of course, there are moments when I miss the consistency and familiarity of my 'normal' life back home. But as I look around at the incredible sights and experiences this adventure has brought me, I'm reminded that even though I may be far away from home, I am exactly where I need to be.

As I embark on this next phase of my journey, with eight different beds, five flights, and five cities across four countries in the next nine days, I take comfort in knowing that there are ways to bring a piece of home with me. And who knows? Maybe one day I'll return to find that home has become a new adventure altogether.

Im far away from home