What does home mean to you? Is it because you lived in the house for 5-10 years, you grew up in a place, what if it is wherever your parents/relatives reside? I think home changes for a lot of people and maybe it's the comfort of something else. Iowa is familiar to me, but none of my friends are there anymore (except for holidays/breaks), my family is and the house I grew up in, but I miss Burlington, Vermont where some of my best friends are and the “family” I created in college too. I also feel AT HOME in Colorado, a place that I have now made my home. Maybe I have many homes…so how can I be homesick?

Am I rambling or does that make sense? Either way, thanks for invoking those thoughts!

Everyone's got that story. But I have to add another level to it. While I have two AMAZING cities fighting for my attention, my reality doesn't include living in either one of them. Bowling Green, KY- the home of Western Kentucky University, the National Corvette Museum (and assembly plant), and the Fruit of the Loom HQ. Then, besides me and my job, not much else.

I have my aspirations to be back where I belong (or just where I belong, no 'back' needed), but for now, Bowling Green is a stepping stone that has taught me how to handle seclusion and boredom, gave me many friends that I may or may not keep up with for the rest of my life (but have definitely shown me that meaningful relationships can come about from any situation), and if nothing else, has provided me with a solid job that I've learned a great deal from and can use to catapult myself into a future where homesickness may not be as much of an issue.

I'm rambling a bit, but what I'm trying to say in more words than necessary is that Meg is dead on: “Nothing is permanent, so enjoy it now.”

I jump in the car and cruise to the Lou; I hook up with Southwest and jet to O-town, and travel across the country to keep my sanity and see some AMAZING people, but those are just the compliments to my life. Finding what's around me and enjoying it every moment of the way is what I focus my attention on, and from all I've seen, it sounds like you're doing a good job of it too. With the ability to make the best of any situation, I have to wonder what homesickness really is.

I would venture to say that home is just anywhere you've spent enough time to consider yourself a resident (at some point in time). And homesickness is just wanting to be at home more than where you're currently at (Obvious, I know, but it still needed to be said). Given that- Have I been homesick for St. Louis? Of course. Orlando? That's a given. Bowling Green? I hate to admit it, but you bet your buttons I have.

Enjoy Chicago while you can. One day, you may wish you didn't get out as quick.

My theory on the feeling we get is that we work hard, we plan, we move forward. And whenever we do move forward, things aren't the same, things aren't as comfortable as we remember them to be, and we pine a bit for something that we used to know/feel. Even though I'm now closer to family, I think back to my previous location and remember the lovely feeling of the big city and friendships I had. (And I can tell you know, there were lots of not so great things about living in a big city… I tend to “forget” those parts though!)

Keep moving forward because even as you are homesick now by being far away, you have not become familiar enough to feel homey enough in your present location. I'd bet $10 that if and when you change jobs/location in one or two years time, you'll look back to now and remember how “comfortable” your current “place” is.

Cheers!
Kim

I completely feel you on this one. Every time I hug my mom goodbye in the Jacksonville airport, I cry for hours. The pangs of homesickness tug at me the entire trek back. It's much worse when I'm leaving without another trip home planned, like I did when I left after Christmas. Like you, I return to D.C. and spend days searching for similar opportunities back home in Florida.

But, after a couple days, as I settle back into my life in D.C., I realize how lucky I am to be here. The opportunities and experiences we're gaining now are AMAZING. We'll always remember how after college, we left our comfort zone to try something new.

To cope with the homesickness, I tell myself: “Nothing is permanent, so enjoy it now.” It's become sort of my mantra. Everything can change in the blink of an eye, for better or for worse – might as well take each day as it comes. Home, after all, is only a short plane ride away.

Oh, and I also set aside $50 each paycheck that I put in a “travel fund.” I decide against eating/going out 2-3 times a week so I don't miss the cash. Then, when I have enough money, I buy a plane ticket home. That definitely helps

If you ever want to vent about being homesick, you know how to reach me…!

Meg

This 28 day thing is a blasty blast of awesomesauce and can you believe I went to bed without even glancing at #kubball? Had to sleep!