Why Homesickness Might Be the Weirdest Goal You Need to Chase.

‌Homesickness is my best friend — it doesn’t treat me well but it’s still the best companion I could ask for.

Trust me when I say that I know homesickness too well. My qualifications? I’m 18 years old and so far have lived in 6 different cities/countries. Last year, I moved out my parents house alone, packed my bags, and boarded the plane that was going to lead me halfway across the world. I’ve never dreaded a one-way ticket as much as I did then, but the promises of a blank start in my life that stared back at me in the form of that plane ticket kept me hooked on curiosity.

My upbringing has been a huge blessing to me and it’s equipped me with specific life lessons that not everyone has experienced. My wish for this blog is to see how these moments in my life that I choose to share in vulnerability, can appeals to someone’s heart and encourages them to take the initiative to provide themself with the life they’ve always wanted.

For my dear friends out there, whose current priorities lies in exploring this beautiful world, but is weighed down by the intimidation of all the new firsts, potential failures, and the overwhelming sense of homesickness — this is for you! Keep reading, I promise (or really, really, hope) that you can take something away from this.

It’s almost been a full year of being abroad in a new country all by myself and my report of how it’s been so far, looks like this:

• Countless of nights crying from missing home
• An increased sense of gratitude
• (So much…) jealousy over my local friend’s physically present support system
• A newly established matured mindset
• A newfound love followed by a sense of overwhelming pride for doing things independently

It’s impossible for me to fully sum up the flurry of emotions this last year has been, but for what it’s worth, I found that none of the loneliness and homesickness that I’ve experienced even comes close to the immeasurable growth, fulfilment, and pride I’ve gained. This decision to uproot my life took a lot of strength and faith on my end, and I can ensure you that it won’t be any different for you. BUT don’t misunderstand this intimidation for a sign to just not make that decision. I’m not saying the move is going to be easy, nor am I promising immediate satisfaction with your new life. What I am trying to help you understand is that with every journey comes its own sets of pros and cons but despite that, uprooting your life to pursue the dream life you’ve envisioned for yourself will make you grow in such a special and personal way. I promise you that it’s scarier to stay stagnant in life, than to make that risky leap of faith to pursue the life you’ve always envisioned for yourself. I would much rather choose to chase after my imaginations than stay in one spot for the rest of my life.

There’s this thing called the the ‘Comfort Zone Trap’. The idea is that as people, we have the tendency to stay in familiar and safe situations because it aids us with this sense of security and ease that appeals to us so comfortably. But really, what happens is that we’re shortchanging ourselves. We’re holding ourselves back from challenges or risks, which in itself are opportunities for personal growth. It’s an easy mindset to spiral in, and I definitely don’t blame you! The leap of faith to set your journey off is rightfully terrifying but it’s trapping us in a life lacking new possibilities and growth. Comfortability does not equals growth. Many of us fall victim to this — whether it be consciously or unconsciously. But this fear of change isn’t going to make it any less prevalent in your life. Change is something that follows us through our whole life. The best thing we can do is take control of the changes we can make in our life, to better ourselves and our journey. Don’t let the comfort of the zone blind your finishing line. As humans, our life is all about constant growth and new experiences. Don’t pass on the opportunities because you think life is easier in the place we feel safe. Staying stagnant doesn’t allow us to evolve. The comfort zone can be a quiet prison and it chains us back from claiming our full potential.

If you still can’t bring yourself to break the pattern of stagnation for your present self, do it for your future self because where you are right now, your future self will be there too if not for breaking that pattern. Don’t you think it’s scarier to stay stuck and frozen in a routine, in a life that no longer excites or challenges us? Every day that we are given, is an opportunity to implement a new change that will lead us to becoming the person we’re meant to be. As humans, we’re given the ability to form complex thoughts and aspirations because we’re meant to pursue them. Our life span is longer than insects or fishes because we’re here for a larger reason. We are not meant to live like we’re a character in Groundhog Day. Truly, I tell you, the fear of the unknown can make us hesitant to step into new beginnings but the world is too big, and life is too short to stay in one place forever. You are meant for more than that, and if you even had thoughts of taking that leap of faith (which is probably why you’re reading this blog), that’s already the first step.

I encourage you to take that leap of faith and make that executive decision today to start pursuing the life you deserve. Use your homesickness as motivation to push forward. Discomfort is temporary and part of the transformative process. Half of the whole reason why I push those around me so hard to take that leap of faith to pursue new opportunities is not because of the actual opportunity, but because of the self-growth you get from that leap of faith. It truly is a beautiful thing. To feel homesick is to be changing, learning, and becoming more than you were. Find comfort in homesickness because it’s a sign that you’re not where you used to be. You’ve made it outside your comfort zone and you’re not only managing, but you’re doing exactly what you used to dream of doing. For me personally, whenever I feel homesick, I remind myself the blessing it is to be far away from home. I use this discomfort as a source of motivation. It’s more of a reason for me to pursue my goals right? If I already took that leap of faith (which is the hardest part), I might as well fully invest in my life that I’ve dreamt of having. In this life, we can’t sit around and wait for someone to enter our life and help us change the trajectory of our life into the direction we’ve dreamt of. Look in the mirror and look at the loving face that is staring back at you. That face is the face of the only person who has your future in your hands. That person staring back at you is the only person who can give you the life you’ve always wanted.

My dear friends, homesickness is a sign of your bravery and growth. Travel and new experiences have the power to shape your life in unimaginable and incomprehensible ways. Homesickness isn’t just a reminder of where you came from — it’s a path that marked your growth and a sign you’re on the right path. It’s living proof that you’re brave enough to explore the world, discover yourself, and pursue the life that you wholeheartedly deserve. There is strength in your homesickness. See it and use it as the weapon and strength that it truly is.