Travel Lows and Homesickness- Missing the Fall in New England

As summer comes to an end, fall (autumn) is in full swing, and winter is just around the corner. It’s always hard not to think about, and miss New England during this time. Had to have been 2017, the last time I spent fall at home, experiencing all of it’s comfort, warmness, flavors, smells, and beauty.

The leaves changing into all shades of red, orange, and yellow; the influx of pumpkin food and drinks everywhere; and the “new this fall season” fashion trends taking over the media. The crisp air sweeps in, and each day it stays just a bit longer, until before you know it it is full blown winter cold— the mood changes, and you want summer back. It happens just like that. But I always felt the fall was a fresh start, whether it marked a new school year, a new intention, or a new adventure, there was always something to look forward to during the fall. It gave me a fresh perspective on my goals and the path I am on.

Travel lows, homesickness, you could call it, crawls up on most of us at some point or another. Traveling for an extended period of time inevitably comes with highs and lows. Sometimes they are quick to change, sometimes the feelings linger. Right now I am for sure feeling the lows. As much as I have traveled, there is still no way to combat homesickness, well at least not one that I have figured out. Talking to friends and family back home could either set you back on track or it could just make the feelings stronger and make it worse. Never know what you are going to get.

It has been so amazing traveling and meeting so many people, connecting with others who are doing the same thing as me. I would not change it for the world. I love hearing other stories, finding new things in common, or getting tips on the next places I am going to. But it can be lonely. Well, duh traveling alone is lonely, it is in the name… just trying to vent the heaviness on here to hopefully feel a little lighter.

First of all, I am so beyond grateful to be able to travel the amount that I do, and I don’t want to sound like I am complaining, but at times it does get exhausting. It is like riding a a rollercoaster, but with your eyes closed. Not knowing the track, not able to anticipate the next move, and having a hard time controlling your reactions to common situations.

Constantly making new connections with people and places, and having to say goodbye at some point or another, not knowing when you will be back or when you will see them again. The places I have visited have been nothing short of a dream. I have seen so much, I have learned even more, and I have grown a lot more than all of it combined, but being as homesick as I am right now, I can only look forward to home. Get back to a comfort, get back to a routine, and most importantly get back to my family and friends. I can not wait! But it makes me feel guilty, feeling this way as I am in these beautiful places, however I am still trying my best to get the most out of every where I go. It is a tricky situation and at times it is all a mind game.

The good thing is, I know these feelings will pass, and I’ll be back on top of the world enjoying everything again soon. Just give it a few days. I guess that is what helps me to keep moving, to keep going, and to keep pushing through. Maybe that is a solution to feeling homesick.

Not to say this is the end of traveling for me, for sure it is not. I will be traveling for as long as I am able to. Will always be looking for the next adventure, learning from the last, preparing for the future. But I am proud to say living in/traveling around Asia as a solo female for more than 14 months— I did it and I can finally put that under my belt. Let’s see where the next place brings us, shows us, and most importantly teaches us.