While we were traveling in Malaysia, a few days along the way I felt tired, unmotivated and sometimes just sad for no reason. Knowing that something was making me feel this way but not completely sure what, I took some time for myself one day to just contemplate my thoughts and feelings. Thankfully we were in the perfect place to do so. I was able to nestle myself away in my little private bunk bed and just watch the world go by outside peacefully while I did some soul searching.
What I discovered after a while, was that I was really just homesick, but I wasn’t ready to admit to myself yet how sad I was that I would be missing the holidays at home.
This year, especially missing Thanksgiving and Christmas with family and friends is starting to take a toll on me. As I see all of the updates on Facebook with families putting their Christmas trees up and decorating their homes, it desperately makes me want to be at home baking in the kitchen and then curling up on the couch with my puppy and husband while sipping on a glass of wine admiring the lights on our Christmas tree.
But traveling for long periods of time comes with adjustment. Just think about when you take a vacation or go on holiday. After a week or two, you are usually recharged and ready to go home. Instead, for us now being about a month and a half into traveling, we have had to change our way of thinking and as much as we want to go home, we accept and realize that this is our home for now and our routine.
Just simply coming to the realization of why I was feeling so sad and drained of energy made me actually feel better. I know that I am missing the holidays back home but I also know I am making a million new memories and friends where I am. I know that I cannot change how I am feeling so I just need to own that feeling, accept it, and keep exploring the amazing opportunities I have right in front of me.
I have never traveled for the holidays before and I guess I didn’t realize how much it would effect me. But put into perspective, life is all about balance. Part of the reason I travel is to be able to recognize and appreciate all of the things back home that I love and take for granite every day. Traveling is about so much more than just discovering new places, cultures, people, and adventures.
A huge part of travel is about appreciation. Appreciating the simplicity of a nice and fluffy bath towel to dry off with instead of an incredibly uncomfortable quick-dry towel. The privacy of being able to sleep at night and slipping out a toot without the other 24 people sleeping in the room with you hearing. It’s about really and truly appreciating your family and friends back home that you haven’t seen in a while. It’s about appreciating your “oh so stressful home” that sometimes has spiders and roof problems that you wanted to get away from but now appreciate so much more.
So for now, I will accept my feelings, and appreciate the fact that I will be spending Christmas this year with my amazing husband on a beautiful island full of new experiences.
However, do keep in mind that whenever we return home and wherever we return to, I will most definately be hosting a full Thanksgiving dinner and mock Christmas to make up for the time we lost. Even if it is the middle of summer, you better believe that I will be making a turkey with stuffing and decorating a table-sized tree with small lights and ornaments and baking Christmas cookies. I know I won’t possibly be able to host all of our family and friends for these events, but when we return, I will be more than happy to host you for our post-holiday celebrations if you are close enough to join in!
Until then, I hope everyone truly enjoys this holiday season with family, friends, or even by yourself if you prefer. However you choose to spend your time this holiday season, make sure you recognize and show appreciation for everything and everyone that you are grateful for.