The Hardest Part About Coming Home

​By Kaitlyn

Hoo boy, Christmas is finally over. I’m not a grinch, or a Scrooge, or anything like that. In fact, I love Christmas! I love the big roast dinner and giving presents and ripping open wrapping paper, I love the alcohol, the chocolates and I love spending my day with those around me that I love!

However, what do you do when those people you love enough to spend such an important day with aren’t your family?  

My family is kinda complicated, and I won’t go into the details here, but basically we don’t all get along well. My childhood was also kind of complicated, which is why when I chose my university, I chose one really far from home so that I didn’t have to go back regularly. Instead, I only really go home twice, maybe three times a year. 

I tend to feel much closer to my friends and partner’s family because of this weird relationship with my parents and my home life, so that leads to Christmas being a little tougher than most people’s. I find myself homesick for my flat, and can easily get lost in the fact that I’m not enjoying myself at home at all, and would rather be with other people. 

So, what can you do if you feel like this?

Organise to meet up with your friends! Go to lunch, or if you’re old enough, go out drinking together, and have fun. Making new memories with old friends can keep the friendship going far beyond just text messaging back and forth saying “we should meet up” over and over again. 

Try to take a day (or even overnight) with your partner if possible. I love doing this on Christmas Eve with my partners family, I spend the 23rd to the 24th with them, get to open all my presents from them early and have dinner, then fall asleep together. This can stop the feelings of missing your partner, as well as give you time away from your family.

Finally, have something to do that gives you privacy, and signals others to give you privacy. For me, it’s using big over-ear headphones with my laptop, phone, or Nintendo Switch. They are big so people can see that you are busy, and if they try and talk to you, you might not hear them. I find that this is a cool and easy way of warding off family when you want a bit of space, even if you don’t have a proper space of your own at home.

Last of all, keep your head up. Being home can bring up a lot of memories, both good and traumatic, and either can be equally as overwhelming. Try to keep calm, keep sane, and even chat to us if you’re visiting home and just need someone to talk to! We are always available on our Facebook and Instagram feeds so message us there and one of our admins, (including me!) will get back to you and we can just chat about anything you want.​