Today, I am Homesick

As many of you reading this blog know, I moved here from Bosnia 14 years back. I visit home often but lately I have been experiencing overwhelming homesickness that comes with living overseas. No amount of years change the fact that  being an expat* (*a person temporarily or permanently residing in a country other than that of the person's upbringing.), kind of sucks.

Another thing you might know about me is that love to travel and had never actually felt homesick until I moved to Canada. Over years I have tried lots of things in order to deal with being so homesick all the time. Here are few things that help me cope in between those yearly visits:

*Skype & WhatsApp. These seem oblivious. Skype is the best way to see your family and friends I Skype with my friends at least 3 times a week, and my family will have Skype on while one of us is cooking or eating, and it makes it feel like we're just hanging out together and sharing a meal. WhatsApp is free texting (as long as you are on wife) I use this to talk to my friends on daily basis, same as we do when I am in Bosnia. Communicating about every day, about the little things, about day to day adventures really helps with dealing and coping with homesickness.

*Things will change back home. I visit yearly, however, each time I go my heart break a little since nothing stays the same. I understand life cant stop because I am not around to see it but in some weird way makes me feel isolated. People will move, friends will do different things, new building will come up and your favourite coffee shops might be closed but that’s life. Life constantly changes so make most of it.

*Have expat friends. This might be the only people who fully understand what you are going though.

*Keep your traditions and sense of home. Listen to music that make you feel at home, read your favorite books, flip though old pictures (or facebook), cook your favorite foods, and celebrate the holidays your current country might not have. All these little things will make your life easier. Always keep a little piece of home around, it warms your heart.

Don't get me wrong, I like my life here; I have a great job, amazing home and life isn't all that bad, however this doesn't change how often I feel home sick.