Coming back to the UK after a US visit

Hello all

we just visited the US in November for 2 weeks and it has been almost a month, I am finding it really difficult to adjust to being so far away from my family.  I have lived here for 5 years now and feel like I have adjusted quite well, I have a good job and a dog and hubby is really supportive...

I just feel really sad thinking about not seeing my siblings for another whole year and how you cant really have a proper realtionship over the phone/email with them...

maybe its because of the short days which dont help perk you up...how do you guys deal with this...maybe i need to make 6 monthly visits...as family will not come over here to visit....

We were back for 2 weeks at Thanksgiving & I was kind of depressed the week following -- it used to be worse & last longer in years past though.  I have lived here for nearly 4 years now.

Once I got over the jet lag & rested up -- I just tried to throw myself into life here again, particularly with the holiday season coming up -- I find I have more things to do & keep track of than I have time to fit everything in!

Thing is, everyone's family dynamics are different.  Being so far from my family & only seeing them once a year (or less) isn't so bad for me, because it was like that for us even when I lived in the US -- we all lived several states apart.  And each year, I feel even closer to DH's family, which makes a big difference for me too I'm sure.

I think the adjustment time for me personally has more to do with the culture shock/readjustment/etc than anything else.  Plus, my mom isn't very well so I've been kind of sad about that knowing she won't be around too much longer probably -- but it's not unexpected so it wasn't a big shock or anything.

Sorry to hear you're feeling blue!  Feel free to vent here.

I just feel really sad thinking about not seeing my siblings for another whole year and how you cant really have a proper realtionship over the phone/email with them...

I feel the same way.  We just went back for two weeks in November too, and it's almost like seeing my family and friends for a little bit just makes me miss them even more.  I think it's hard if you're especially close to the people you have to leave behind.

I agree with what Mrs. Robinson said though.  I've just tried to get back into my daily routine, get busy doing all the things I need to catch up on (and there are many) and get ready for the holidays.  I also started a thread on literary excursions    so that I could start dreaming and making plans for future adventures.

I wish I had a better tip for you, sorry.  I hope you're feeling better soon.  If you figure out any great ideas for coping with this be sure to share them with us!

I haven't been to the US since feb this year and wont be going again til June 08 so thats almost a year and 1/2 without seeing family... my longest stint yet.   Some times the homesickness is worse than others.  For example, I was at work on thanksgiving and just started crying as i started thinking about all my family getting together and having a laugh.  So that night i went out with DH and some co-workers and it made me feel happy (the wine helped as well)  .

Then the other day I was putting up my christmas tree and i got a bit sad that im missing another christmas in NY but that came and went and today im feeling ok.  I dont really have any coping strategies.. when Im feeling down about missing family I just call up a friend or do something fun with DH to take my mind off things. 

I was at work on thanksgiving and just started crying...

That happened to me last year & I had a job interview (for a promotion) that day too!

I'm just the opposite. When I go visit family I cry because I want to come home! But I guess for you close families this time of year can be especially difficult. I hope you feel better soon Blondshania!