How to Feel at Home with Yourself: 5 Essential Tips to Avoid Feeling Homesick

Life is so beautiful- especially when you’re living your dream!

Last week when I was unpacking my Indian clothes (yes! I haven’t unpacked them till now), I suddenly felt this deep lonely feeling. Being in India for 2 whole months (Jan and Feb) for my wedding, I have had this homesick feeling ever since I was back.

wearing christy dawn the river dress with night tulips

Shop my Summer Look:

Dress c/o Christy Dawn (made with 100% sustainable material, wearing size XS/S) | Raffia Espadrille (also crushing on these under $30 ones) | Belt | Similar under $25 tote

I have been living away from home for 8 years. This is the life I chose. My mom calls me a wanderer because I don’t like sticking in one place. I love that about me, I love not able to be defined by a place or community. 

If there is something I learned during this time away from home, is that no matter how far you’re from your roots, your family, your home, you can recreate home inside yourself and celebrate your culture anywhere.

Home is heart, home is love, the love you feel inside yourself.

Home is the subconscious things you do and you say that your parents and culture imbibed in you when growing up… And that Loneliness can be a blessing as it allows you to recognize those little things and create the space for you to come home to yourself. 

If you’re like me staying far away from home and feeling homesick every now and then, here are my tips to make you feel at home with yourself.

5 Essential Tips to Avoid Feeling Homesick

1. Do Something that Reminds you of Home Every Day

Praying every morning makes me feel like I’m home. God and prayers always remind me of my mom. I feel that when I pray, I am close to my parents, I like that feeling. For some people, cooking home meals or eating together with their family or friends makes them feel at home because having someone beside you when you eat makes you feel loved.

Some people like to find ‘home’ in things. I have a friend who always carries her blanket with her because it gives her a feeling being home wherever she goes. Whatever it might be a small thing or a habit, grab on it and make yourself feel at home whenever and wherever you go.

2. Socialize

You feel like you’re yourself when you are around the people you are comfortable with. Being yourself is being at home. Hangout with friends, spend a night talking and laughing, grab dinner with your colleagues, stop to chat with your neighbor, smile at a stranger on the road, compliment someone and make their day. Connect, discuss, debate, give your opinions, share your dreams and aspirations, listen to others, joke around..have fun!

3. Learn What you’re Passionate About and Do More of This

Home is where your loved ones are but it can also be where your passion is. You truly enjoy your own company when you’re working on your passion. I feel more joyous when I’m writing a blog post or when I’m gardening. Your day job can be your passion or a hobby you picked up. Some people are passionate about getting fit, getting a degree or learning how to play an instrument. Find what makes your soul alive. Reserve time in your day for your passion, learn and grow in that.

4.  Write/Journal

Journaling not only helps process your emotions but it helps you get better in every aspect of your life. It will help you write better emails at work, better pitch your ideas in your business and improves your communication skills overall because you’re more self-aware of your thoughts and you have more clarity on what you want in life.

Journaling is also the best way to

• Make sense of your scattered emotions.
• Juxtaposition of your inner and outer worlds.
• Improve focus.
• Detaching and letting go of the past.
• Experience and learn deep.
• Better analyze your goals and order your day.

Sharing personal posts in this space has really helped me to make sense of certain things in life. When your mind is at peace, you will feel like you’re home no matter where you are.

5. Meditate  and Practice Gratitude

Meditation can be life-changing if practiced daily. Simple breathing and focusing can reduce anxiety, stress, among other perks. Meditation has many forms, for me sitting quietly and focusing on breathing doesn’t work that well, I try to meditate by being aware of my thoughts and how they’re transitioning from one to another.

I meditate when I walk my dog, I don’t take my phone with me unless I am on a call. I focus on the trees, my breathing and everything around me. I notice how Bagheera is doing with leash walking. I try to be there in the moment without worrying about what to cook, what to post and my never-ending to-do list that my brain never stops thinking about.

Another form of Meditation is practicing gratitude. Writing down what you’re grateful about that day or week will help you feel better about yourself because you only focus on all the good things that happened to you, it will help you to keep grounded and stay positive all the time.

If you aim to do these things as part of a consistent routine not only it will help you take away your mind from being lonely but it will make you feel at home within yourself. Perhaps happy and complete all on your own. When you’re centered and grateful, not only you feel fulfilled with life but your relationships with your special ones too.

Home isn’t a place, it’s a feeling!  ~Cecelia Ahern

Coming to the outfit – The beautiful dress is from Christy Dawn, a store that makes all their dresses with 100% sustainable material. The dress is flowy and well made, the material is soft and breathable. The cut and tulip print is very vintage and effortless. I see myself wearing it even in colder months with boots and a long coat.

Shop my Summer Look:

Dress c/o Christy Dawn (wearing size XS/S) | Raffia Espadrille (also crushing on these under $30 ones) | Belt | Similar under $25 tote

Loving these tips on how to feel at home within yourself? Check out more motivational posts HERE