Managing homesickness as a digital nomad
The life of a digital nomad is many things — exciting, hectic, fun, and lively — too name a few. But, there is a downside of traveling full-time — missing your friends and family. According to Matthew Lieberman, author of Social: Why Our Brains are Wired to Connect, “Being socially connected is our brain’s lifelong passion. It’s been baked into our operating system for tens of millions of years.”
It’s no surprise that humans need and crave social connections. After 2020, I think we can all agree that going long periods of time without seeing our friends and family is tough, and can even feel excruciating sometimes. As exciting as full-time travel looks from blogs and Instagram, it can also be lonely. Of course travel presents you the possibility of meeting plenty of people and making connections all over the globe. But with the world being so uncertain right now, forging new connections is not a guarantee.
Call vs. Text Your People
I know, I know. This suggestion may sound crazy for 2021, but hear me out. Texting is great when you want to tell someone you’re thinking of them, or to ask how your friend’s job interview went. However, when you are craving that social connection and missing home, texting isn’t going to cover it. According to a UCLA study, 93% of communication is non-verbal, specifically, our tone comprises 38% and body language makes up the remaining 55%. This leaves only 7% for the actual words that we use.
As technology has advanced, we’ve become more comfortable hiding behind a screen than connecting with someone in person. A phone call allows us to be more intimate and vulnerable than chatting over text allows. Hearing your best friend’s voice or seeing your sister’s face can create those comforting, warm feelings you may be lacking on your travels. So next time you think of someone you miss in your life, skip the boring “How are you?” text and pick up the phone instead.
Technology: Friend or Foe?
Technology rules the world these days. It helps us stay connected, which has been a real lifesaver this year for many. On the flip side, this constant connection has some detrimental effects on our mental health and well-being. Instagram, for example, allows us to peek into other people’s lives through a very small, perfectly curated window. These seemingly ideal images have caused a culture of comparison in our society, and have left its users yearning for a life that isn’t theirs.
The daily practice of scrolling through Instagram and other social media platforms has made it more difficult to be present and connect with people in real-life. We suggest limiting your time on social media by setting up time limits on apps like Instagram and Facebook. Make the limits reasonable. If you typically spend 2 hours a day on Instagram, set your limit to 1 hour a day. And use that hour to practice being mindful and appreciative of your own circumstances vs. the stranger’s you see through a very narrow lens.
Be kind to yourself
One of the best and scariest things about being human is that feelings don’t last forever. One day you may feel so homesick that you start reconsidering your decision to travel in the first place. But, just as easily as that feeling presented itself, it will most likely fade away with time. Leaning on your proven self-care practices during harder days can help ease the gravity of those feelings.
We also tend to get tunnel vision when feelings are strong and overwhelming. If you’ve been feeling homesick for several months, maybe it’s time to make a change in your travel plans. But, if this feeling has only been around for a few days or so, it may be helpful to gain some perspective on your experience. Think about the places you’ve loved visiting, or the kind people you’ve met during your travels. Even if you don’t currently feel excited about your travels and situation, some perspective may help transform the feeling of homesickness into one of appreciation.
