We had been home only once over the past year for a quick stop in between South America and Asia. It was a fast paced week of drinks, invitations and catch ups and it was fantastic. Now, we were heading back again and were so excited to get home again, this time for the forseeable future; to see everyone, to relax and to earn some money for our next adventures. WE WERE GOING HOME!
After a nightmare flight, delays and even rarely seen snow once we finally got back to the UK, we finally reached home and…. it was sort of different to last time. We were obviously very happy to see our families, to sleep in comfy beds at our parent’s houses and eat our favourite foods but after all that came the realisation that, at least for now, our travel plans had ended.
It wasn’t like last time where we got the best of life in one short, catch-up week. This time, we had been home only a couple of days and it already felt like weeks. A never-ending stretch of time panned out in front of us. No jobs, no money and no plans.
The old cliche is true; nothing has changed. Nothing, that is, apart from us. Our eyes have been opened to the world around us. We are sensitive to the ways of living here now; too much money, too much waste, too much stuff, yet here people’s ways were not different, and never will be. An unspoken rant about plastics and living and indulgence sticks in my mouth. I’ll never say it. I know it won’t be understood.
I feel lost, sitting observing the life here which was so normal to me before and will be so normal to me again soon. I hadn’t realised until my return, but my decision-making ability and fierce interest in everything has dwindled at the same time as my chilled out lifestyle had grown. That conflict has made me feel like I don’t fit in to the pace of life here.
Only a few days after being dumped back in to this lifestyle I noticed my habits changing. Spending more money in built-up countries is unavoidable, the need for more more things here is necessary and really the best way to adapt to your home life again is finding the right balance.
Finally, a few weeks on, I have now learnt to live my life in a way that I am happy with (eye roll!). Don’t compromise on things that are important to you but stay mindful and apply the lessons learnt on your travels; adapt them to the western world.
Be warned though, the transition back to reality is harder than you think!
