Home Sweet Home...it really is

Of all the things I do and beautiful destinations I visit I honestly believe there is nowhere like home. I'd tap my little red heels together three times and poof… I’m at home by the fire with my dog and my family. (yes the dog comes first). If only moving away were that easy. 

I am very lucky with my job that I am able to travel home with work for 24h but there are so many times I wish I could go home and can’t. I think its so important to include this post in my blog because its such a huge thing to move away and would be amazing if I could give any heads up or advice on it

When I moved away I honestly didn’t realise how much I would miss my dog. Yes my little bundle of fluff Murphy. He’s adorable and always there for cuddles and never moans. And I miss all my family and friends too of course. So much. Being away really makes you realise who your true friends are and I honestly couldn’t be any luckier to have mine. The ones that are always there for you rain or shine, you can tell anything to and trust with your life, and go 6 months without seeing or barely speaking and its like a day hasn’t passed when you’re back together. Yes. You’re the real MVP’s.

So as much as I love my life and everyone in it. In case you need a little guidance or advice have a little read below. Here are my tips for how to be a real life grown up and not cry when you don’t have your mum for a hungover hug…

- Buy international minutes. Skype is great but can also be a little unreliable. Get some minutes to call home and have a good old natter to your nan on (if yours is 93 and anything like mine she’ll barely be aware of the internet so a good old fashioned phone call may be the best from of communication with Gran and Gramps)

- Skype skype skype. Even though I said it can be unreliable nothing beats seeing the faces of my loved ones pop up on my tiny hand held screen. You almost feel like you’re with them or as close as you can be. I often Skype home for family meals to pretend I’m there. If only I could taste my Mum's food. FaceTime, WhatsApp calls, FB messenger etc are all great but if you live or are visiting the UAE just remember it’s blocked. Skype has the best chance of working otherwise get international minutes or download a good VPN!

- Make your house a home. I found when I moved away one thing I struggled with greatly was missing my bed and decorations in my room and house. Even down to a couple of the ugly china that gets passed through generations and for some reason has to sit on the mantlepiece for all to see. Yes you may even find yourself thinking ‘what I’d do to be sat looking at those china pots’. I decided to completely decorate my room and make it my own and as soon as I did I felt like a weight had been lifted off my chest. Best investment and one I hugely recommend. Not only was I proud to have made something look so pretty by myself but also I’d made a white shell of an apartment a home where I looked forward to chilling with a glass of wine in with friends, or alone like a saddo... I’m not ashamed to admit. This made a huge difference! It doesn’t need to be costly either, IKEA and secondhand sites (dubizzle or souk.com in Dubai are great) can make it a cost efficient job and still have great outcomes!

- Buy foods and products from home. So often a Yorkshire Tea or some Bovril on toast gets me through the missing-your-mom days (and Dad too, don’t get jealous Steve). When ever I go home I always stock up on home comfort foods and find it can be surprisingly comforting. You can buy plenty of local brands from super/hypermarkets or get your friends to bring things over for you.

- Make true friends. These are the friends that you can count on rain or shine, not just for a night out on the town. There don’t have to be many or could even just be the one. They may not be as truly fabulous with lifelong connections and the memories of growing up together but they can be nearly as good or possibly even better and they make all the difference. When you don’t have your family  around you the best thing to do is to adopt a surrogate family through your friends. 

- Do what you like and do a lot of it. Spend time with the people you love doing what you love. Life's too short to spend time doing the things you don't love with people you don't love. Last year I loved going out, this year I like a more chilled night. Some of my favorites are when I just get in my jimjams, crawl into bed with some snacks and watch Disney films. Just because the crowds doing one thing doesn't mean you have to follow. If you like dancing till 3am go for it, or if you prefer a beach day and nice dinner and drinks do that too! Be selfish with your wants as pleasing other people may not always please you. Finding friends with similar interests and hobbies can really make a difference. 

- Explore! Find out about your new home, see the things it has to offer, try new things and go and visit the surrounding areas. If you can't be at home you may as well make the most of your new one.

- Watch UK TV! Or if your from elsewhere your home TV channels. You can buy subscriptions and it's great. Nothing better than a cuppa and a bacon butty with This Morning on in the background

- Find an second family. Since I've been in a relationship and found my true friends out here I've felt a lot less homesick. This doesn't mean you need to find yourself a partner, just make sure you find people that you can count on as your family when your real one isn't around.

- Invite people to visit you. No one loves anything more than a holiday so invite and encourage people to see you

- Make the most of family or friends living in your new home. If you have family or friends from home living in your new residency make the most of them. You may not be the closest in the world, but there's nothing like a familiar face that you can count on and who really understands you

- Plan your next visit back home. There's nothing better than counting down the days till you see your loved ones. We count down for holidays, Christmas and birthdays so do the same for your next visit back and time will fly by.

Leaving for Dubai

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