How to Settle More Quickly & Healthily in a New Place When You're on the Road

Intro: How to Settle More Quickly & Healthily in a New Place When You're on the Road

Miyuki is a resident of the place where circles overlap. As a queer, multi-racial/lingual female mixed-media artist, she is happiest when working with people who embrace intersectionality and creativity. After graduating from Swarthmore College in 2012, she received the Watson Fellowship to travel the world in search of queer artists and activists and made 8 zines highlighting what she learned under her publishing house Queer Scribe Productions.

She is a freelance artist, journalist, barber, translator, seamstress, lecturer and performer. Contact her at heymiyuki (at) gmail (dot) com and read her illustrated blog: heymiyuki.wordpress.com

Comments

[AnnieMcD]

Love your presentation of points. When my sister moved towns last year, I gave her quite a few of those pointers, but you had a few new ones too. Love the "smile & be patient"- that applies no matter where you are. Having had several moves around the world myself & being literally on the other side of the world from my family now, your advice is still relevant. New area, new job? Learn from the locals, get out there, explore possibilities, join community activities, meet & greet new people & smile- breaks many barriers. Travel safe & blessings.

[HeyMiyuki]

Hey Annie! Thanks for your comment :) What are some of your tips for how to deal with being on the other side of the world from your family? That's one I'm still trying to figure out ;)

[craftclarity]

These are great tips no matter whether you're across the world from places you know, or even travelling in unfamiliar areas that may not be far from home. I love your illustrations. Thanks for posting this!

[HeyMiyuki]

Thank you for commenting :):) Yeah I apply these rules even when I'm just in a new area nearby!

[AnnieMcD]

I think if you move overseas away from home it can be hard, but only for a short time, then as you get more settled & involved - using your tips, which are great- you seem to get the homesickness pangs less often.
You can indulge in nostalgia - watch some programs or videos from home. In the same vein you could organise a theme night from your country & share some culture & food with friends, get them to join in & dress up or make a plate.
If you are finding it a hardship, I would make sure to get out & do something fun, take a walk, go to the gym, whatever works as a positive distraction. Write a journal - yes write, the extra effort is good- ensuring you put in all the positive & happy things from your week, make sure to re read it later & let it make you laugh.

Then there is alwAys Skype or it's equivalent, emails & calls. At least nowadays this is much easier. When I was first overseas had to prebook phone time & wait for it to be connected with only 1/2 hour max to speak to family. Mail did go once a week & was looked forward to immensely 20 years passes very quickly!

Maybe your family could send you a letter via the mail so you have something to touch & hold with all their love for you in it & you could write a letter to them - yes I know it's old fashioned, but that effort of composing & writing can be quite soothing all on its own. Put some of your beautiful art as part of the letter & make it a keepsake of your trip. When you get back, you can look back on all the places you've been & funny quirky things that happened to you. You will see how you have progressed as you continue on your travels.
I think that living in a new place, especially overseas & away from family & friends gives you a totally different perspective on life, family, home, relationships, friends & how you treat other people, that you would never get from going on holiday to that same place.
I wish you luck, joy & the love of friends in your travels.