To anyone who thinks I shouldn’t have travelled so far from home for such a long time, this is my reasoning for doing the trip essentially 😅 I didn’t expect it to be as bad, but you can never prepare for these things. Secondly, this was only day 2 and I was blowing everything out of proportion for sure. As you will see in my next vlog, I am starting to feel a lot better so time is definitely the solution!
As an introvert who has solo travelled quite a lot over the last few years, let me say this to anyone who is in a similar place: You are not obligated to socialise with everyone, all the time. There is nothing wrong with spending time or even days alone. Do whatever you want to do, not what social media seems to show. Yes, it's cool meeting new people - do go out of your comfort zone sometimes. But you don't have to do it all the time. Personally I don't really get homesick, but I think you will be ok. :) I really appreciate you being so open about everything Holly! And I'm sure you will have a great time in Australia, once you have settled in a bit. :)
Well said. She can use the guide groups as a base to explore on her own, knowing that they are nearby and she's not completely alone. She doesn't have to be what she isn't at all.
Wow, thanks for the many likes, everyone! :) @Stacey the Naprika I really enjoy being part of guided groups as well, it takes the stress away from planning everything, and there is a safety aspect to consider in some areas.
Totally. I'm introverted and travelled around the USA for 3 months solo when I was 24 and didnt do anything with people in the hostels I was staying in. I was happy doing everything I had planned out myself, doing exactly what I wanted. Was obviously polite and chatted in kitchens and common rooms but didnt do anything out and never felt I had to. You're already outside your comfort zone, dont push yourself too quickly.
I would deffo recommend checking into a cheap hotel for a few days and ditching the hostel just for the start of your trip!! I felt the same when i went to NY and i was waay too tired for the hostel and honestly spending that bit of extra money on a few nights in a private room was the BEST decision!! just to let yourself recover on sleep and have a bit of privacy for a while
Absolutely! I haven't been solo travelling but my first thought when I saw she had planned to stay at hostels was "whoa, that's waaay out of what I imagine would be her comfort zone" because it would be way out of mine. Sharing a room with a dozen other people? In addition to being so far away from home for so long while never having experienced it before? That's like jumping straight into the deep end... I suppose it was the only way to make such a long stay in a relatively expensive country like Australia affordable but I for sure thought she'd start with cheap hotels to ease into the whole experience. Then again maybe sharing that space with so many other people is formative in and of itself and brings one out of one's shell.
yes to this.. & while hotels are pretty expensive in australia we have heaps of nice motels that are cheap too. often they’re a bit older but still very clean
This was so brave of you! You honestly deserved this trip for all your hard work you've put in throughout the last couple of years. Have fun and take care of yourself 💕
I've also had other people telling me to just go and talk to people when I've said it's hard to make new friends. They just don't understand that it is really, really difficult for me, since I'm an introvert and kinda have social anxiety. I understand how you are feeling but I really hope it will get better for you! I'm proud of you and I'll keep following your travels here :)
But does it help or hinder constantly calling/telling yourself that you're an introvert. Part of me thinks if you don't, then you would worry less. For referring yourself as such reinforces anxiety.
@@AminTheMystic wow, it would be so easy if I could just not be an introvert sometimes! but, introvert is something I am, it's part of my personality, so I can't just decide not to be an introvert. Recognizing that I am actually an introvert helps me balance my social life and to know when I need to be alone. Because I know I'm an introvert, means I don't feel ashamed when I need to be alone. I know it's just who I am. Social anxiety then is a whole different thing.
You’ve got this Holly. You really are one of the most genuine you tubers and we can all see and feel your anxiety. Stick with it BUT if you need to go home then there is no shame. You have the brightest future ahead no matter what you decide xx
When one someone starts solo tripping they should start small, I think. Start with a few days or a week then extend it to something as long as a few months. That's how I started. It helps. :)
When I feel like I can't do something (like uni) it's usually for the socialization part... But I remind myself that I don't have to do anything and I can stop whenever. What helps me is avoid thinking "oh my God I need to MEET PEOPLE, I need to be friendly and need to make a good impression and blah blah" I try and concentrate on what I'm actually going to do "oh I'm going to that cool place! Do that cool thing!" basically trying to brainwash myself 😂 it works for me, saved me from a lot of panic ☺️ have fun Holly and don't feel bad about feeling bad
Oh Holly, I understand how scary it is. I was about your age when I went to study abroad in Europe from Australia (and didn’t speak the language!). It is absolutely daunting knowing that you are far away from home, and when you’re an introvert, it does feel harder. I know socialising can feel scary, but please remind yourself that you’re lovely, you’re friendly, you have a lot to offer and any attempts at a chat will 99% of the time be really welcomed by those around you. Your anxious brain is telling yourself you can’t do it, but you’ve got this girl. Trust in yourself and all your wonderful qualities. And if worse comes to worst, ditch the hostel and get an airbnb or hotel for a few days so you can regroup or catchup on some sleep/beat the jet lag ❤️
I never comment on this, but keep going Holly! I suffer with acute anxiety when I'm away from home, and I'm much older than you. You will never regret carrying on, but you may regret going home. Your strong, and your brave. Just keep thinking one day at a time xx
Distractions in Melbourne to help your homesickness!: - Melbourne Museum (while you’re there, run around the Carlton Gardens and look in the Royal Exhibition Building!) - ACMII (they have exhibitions n stuff I think) - I understand you’re starting a tour so these are probably not helpful anymore so sorry! Ily and I hope you’re enjoying Melbourne.
Hey Holly, I can relate to this really well! I remember when I went to Ecuador for 6 months and I felt so lonely, depressed, and anxious! The thing that helped me was learning to have patience with myself and taking one moment at a time and maybe just talk to one new person a day. You’ve got this! Time really does help!
A little tip for socialising at hostels as an introvert is take sweets or something that you can offer to people as a way to break the ice of talking with them! I'm very introverted as well but have done some solo travelling and staying in hostels and I learnt this tip from someone I met in the first hostel I stayed in and it really works because the conversation goes from there. 😃 I do this every time. 😃.
Holly, this is the first time I'm reacting to one of your videos. I just want to say thank you for your honesty! Everyone is always showing 'the best parts' of their life and I love the fact that you are just being you! I can so much relate to all the things you said! I'm an introvert too and I can really understand that you find it difficult to socialize, for me it's the same. But YOU are taking a huuuuge step out of your comfort zone and, please, you can be SO proud of yourself!! I'm really sure that if you give yourself the time to get used to this whole new 'world' and new people, you will have an AMAZING time!! Just take it day by day and enjoy every moment; the fact that you are exploring Australia, what a dream :) And I just want to say that I looove your videos (especially the study with me), I'm a university student and the videos really help to keep me motivated and follow my dream
“A comfort zone is a beautiful place, but nothing ever grows there” Once your out of the city and see how amazing oz is it’ll get easier! If you need a tour guide for northern Nsw I’d love to meet you and show you around! Can’t believe my favourite RU-vidr is the same country as me! ❤️
You are not alone, dear! When you feel lonely, you can look up to the sky and tell yourself that, you and your family are sharing the same view same sky (this is what i'd tell myself). When you look up to the sky, you will think of them. And when they look up to the sky, they are also thinking of you! Sending my love to you!
Hang in there, you will feel better after a while. Don't forget that travelling is exhausting, just as all the new impressions on your own. Once you get back some of the energy and used to being there it will be one of the greatest experiences in your life! Thanks for taking us along.
Hi holly, it’s great that your exploring and learning about yourself and know that it’s not always happy at all times during travel-you are gonna have ups and downs. And they will definitely get better! My only advice is just keep busy also! When u enter a hostel room it’s good to say hi immediately to the people around it makes the atmosphere more friendly and allows people to approach you and visa versa and maybe u can go places together! This what I did and I met people and ended up doing day trips or going to same places together and separate when we needed/wanted to. YOU GOT THIS HOLLY!
I know exactly how you feel holly, I moved out to Hong Kong from the UK for a new job by myself when I was 23. It was the hardest thing I ever did and I cried for like a week straight. I have a history of anxiety and panic attacks but I hadn’t really suffered in years but as soon as I got there it all started to come back. It took time but I settled in and now looking back it’s one of the best things I’ve ever done and I’m even prouder of myself for having achieved it knowing what I overcame in the first place. It’ll take time but you’ll settle in and those anxieties will settle, you’re gonna have an amazing time Holly :)
Holly , don't feel so bad . This is a part of life .You will be mentally more strong after the pass of this time . I'm a girl from INDIA. After, I was away from my home my condition was just like yours but after I watched your videos .I started studying and taking part in my life . Thankyou Holly . Take care of yourself Holly . Always love you
You definitely should give yourself a break and not be so hard on yourself (I've been there, did solo traveling around Europe for a month..!). It is a HUGE step to go from never traveling to then traveling completely solo AND staying in hostels with random people you don't know. There's a fine line between stepping out of your comfort zone and biting off more than you can chew. Don't feel pressured into doing the rest of your trip exactly how you planned it, make room for change and adjustment to make yourself feel more at ease, whether that be booking an airbnb for a few nights to catch your breath. It doesn't mean you've failed, you're still taking huge leap! You'll learn and grow so much just being alone :)
It's been quite a few years since I first went backpacking, but I remember the key thing is to get down there in the common room and start talking to folks about what you want to see, travel plans, etc. I've never been great at making conversation with strangers, but hostel common rooms are a kind of universal exception to awkwardness. Everybody is looking for a chat, to warn you about this rip-off bar or to make sure you visit that gallery. And sooner or later, when you're ready to move onto a different town, chances are there will be someone else heading in the same direction. You'll walk to the bus station together and next thing you know it'll be ten years later and you'll be emailing them about your stupid ex. I promise.
This is so normal to happen to certain people when they suffer from anxiety or are more prone to feeling homesick. I'm so proud of you Holly that despite all the hard and negative thoughts, you still want to keep going. I am so looking forward to watching you enjoy the rest of your trip! Hang in there, stay safe and have fun❤
You are literally SO brave for doing what you’re doing! And I think you sharing your experience is going to encourage so many young woman to travel by themselves☺️✨ on another note, I still can’t get over how well this new hair cut suits you!😍
I know exactly how you're feeling right now Holly. But you should already be so proud of yourself. Take each day as it comes and try not to think about the rest of your time in Australia for now. Allow yourself to feel however you feel without focusing on why you're feeling that way or wondering how long those feelings will last. It's important to acknowledge these feelings and address your needs based on them, and then you can be free to explore and learn and enjoy your stay. I know this is easier said than done, it's something I'm still learning to do, but it's a way of thinking that might help you right now. Take it easy Holly and do things your way, and remember that your family and viewers are already extremely proud of you! Xxx
I'm so so soooo grateful you're showing us your raw and real experience. We can't feel what you're feeling, I can only imagine what it's like. You're amazing and we're so proud of you. I've lately been struggling with feeling alone and too fragile and weak to leave my comfort zone, I've been feeling that everyone else has it figured out and that I'm the only one who doesn't know what I'm doing and struggling with feelings and mental stress taking over my life. You're helping me feel that we all go through these tough times and that even though we feel too weak or that we no longer want what we want and that it's just not worth it, we'll still make it and we'll still get used to it and grow and find happiness.
It's just one day. It's not 3 months. You can leave whenever you want, so for now, it's just ine day at a time. It's scary. Be brave and the fear lessens. Just for a day x
I hope you’ll get better. Take your time, girl. I know you’ll be okay and enjoy your trip. At least that’s what I feel everytime I go solo traveling. I hope you can enjoy yours too. Love 💛💛💛
I love how honest you are with your feelings. Cuz yeah it's okay to feel sad and it is okay to not feel okay. It is important to just go through these bad times while being hopeful and knowing that time heals everything. Everything goes so just live your life to the full , feel all these rainbows of feelings and learn more about yourself while enjoying every breath you take! You know what that journey is? It's the journey of loving yourself and it's the most important journey in our life💜
i seriously appreciate you showing the genuine side of your experience! i did an exchange to france a couple years ago and everyone kept telling me how lucky i was and how amazing it must have been but it was terrifying! i was constantly scared and homesick and i didn’t feel like i could express that because people would see it as me being ungrateful for the opportunity! so i serious appreciate you sharing such a raw side of your experience 💜
I've had similar experience when I went away for my three-month traineeship abroad, alone, to a country whose language I spoke just so so... and while - quite honestly - I did not really enjoy it at the time, I'm really glad I went through with it. I learned a lot about myself, about what I really want in life, about priorities. I ticked it off my bucket list and could move on. Wishing zou the best of luck, I'm sure you'll start feeling better in time. Hang in there :)
i was crying so much when i first went solo travelling! now it’s my second trip and didn’t cry at all. it gets a lot easier to say bye to home the more you do it and you will always regret things that you haven’t tried. hope you start to enjoy yourself soon!
In today's society, if you haven't travelled the world it feels like you have accomplished nothing, that you should always step out of your comfort zone... YOU don't have to. Of course, it's amazing if you can step out of it but sometimes you shouldn't push your limits. I feel you, I'm homesick whenever I leave home. I'm probably going to be the only one to tell you this, but if you really want to go home, you can go home, it's okay ! it's okay, you won't be giving up on anything, you have accomplished so much ! Give yourself some times and decide what to do. I love you so much ! I almost cried watching your last video bc I feel you, Holly !
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! That is exactly how I felt, when I went to Thailand in 2015 and I was so angry with myself and irritated because nobody ever shared this on RU-vid. So thank you so very much for sharing. I wish you all the strength and time you need to do whatever is best for you!
Hey Holly! I live in Melbourne so here is a tip for wifi. If you still have your university login and it still works you can log into eduroam wifi. So if you are on or near a university campus (like RMIT or University of Melbourne) you can use the University wifi. It was designed for visiting/travelling/exchange students I believe. All the libraries on campus are open to the public during business hours. You can also access eduroam wifi from the upstairs food court in Melbourne central shopping centre if you don’t feel comfortable going onto campus. If you need any help or tips with Melbourne let me know and I’d be happy to help 💕 I’m also a vegan so can give some food tips too if you like!
Love you Holly. I'm an introvert too and I find it exhausting to talk with even my close friends and I have to be alone for a while to recharge. Don't ever feel bad about sharing your experience from an honest point of view - it's refreshing and very inspiring for us introverts who want to go solo travelling. Expand your horizons and keep being yourself you absolute beaut x
I just spend three months overseas by myself after travelling with my mum for a month, not leaving each other’s side, and it was SO hard. I cried everyday for quite a while, and then one day I realised I didn’t feel I need to cry anymore. Even though I never stopped missing home, after a while you learn to really live in the moment and block out the anxiety and negativity! It’s so worth it! 😘😘
Dear Holly , starting is always quite difficult but you are a strong girl ...so you can do it ...and trust me after 3 months you will have lots of memories and valuable experience with you .
Being across the other side of the world from everyone and everything you know is always going to be difficult, and will 100% feel strange and stressful for a while. Having things to do (places to visit etc) are an amazing way to try and get used to the situation. You got this Holly, and if you do end up going home early then nobody will be disappointed in you, you're doing great for stepping out of your comfort zone and going to a completely new country! ❤️
I am so happy you are doing this. I am so shy around new people and couldn’t imagine solo travelling. It’s great to have someone who is an introvert pushing themselves to do something like this👏🏻
I'm an introvert as well and it's torture having to live with those homesickness feelings or the stress of socializing. You control your expiriences. If you don't want to socialize then listen to yourself and act accordingly. For you to be comfortable in your new environment do what you need to do. Just know that you're not alone, we are all going on this journey with you. At the end of these next three months you'll have amazing pictures and memories to share and no regrets. You've got this Holly!
Holly, I have been watching every video of ur's, I don't generally comment, but right now, I am so so proud and appreciative about the steps and decisions u r taking in Ur life, I couldn't stop myself from commenting. Keep going.
It's okay to feel how you feel, please don't be too hard on yourself. You took a huge jump out of your comfort zone so of course there will be period of adjustment. When you start doing tours and going places, you will be around people more often that are looking to make friends so it will be easier. My only suggestion in the interim is to do things that you would do at home to make it feel less scary (go for runs, workout, drink at cafes). Meeting people will come with time so you just need to make this new place as comfortable for yourself as possible. It's only been a few days so don't be too hard on yourself about being homesick, it's pretty natural to feel that way when you are so far from home.
I'm currently travelling Australia solo (I arrive in Melbourne tomorrow funnily enough), it can be quite daunting but you need to give yourself time and once you make good friends at the hostel you'll have a great time. You won't spend much time by yourself so you won't have time to feel homesick! Enjoy!
Holly, I know how you feel. I work as a cabin crew and currently live in Qatar. I left my home (Ukraine) more than a year ago. Imagine how hard it was for me to leave my parents, grandparents, pets, everything. It’s been a year already in this exotic lifestyle, but yet I am really happy and grateful I made this step. Travelling the whole world, on my own, I managed to find the love of my life, met so many interesting people, saw more than 50 countries. So just take your time, think of what you like about this new place that you didn’t have at home. Find things that you enjoy even when you are completely out of your comfort zone. Like, right now, I am in Bangkok, in some hotel in a district I know nothing about. And yet I am happy, because I drank my fav coconut water and talked to my grandma. So enjoy as much as you can about this trip! Trust me, you will love it eventually!❤️
I’m 100% sure that if I went solo travelling to Australia I would feel exactly the same, as I am also an overthinker and an introvert. But Holly, you’re strong and intelligent 💪🏻 You can do this and enjoy it. And it does not need to be the same experience other youtubers had. Do it your own way! And remember you always have us here 💕
Hey Holly, I've been living alone abroad in Japan for 8 months now. I came here in March, I was 16 then. I'm an introvert and during my time here I have been forced to be social and go out of my comfort zone a lot. That didn't turn me into an extrovert but it eased my anxiety about talking to people that are not close to me and it definitely helped me gain some confidence. Please try to stay for the whole 3 months. I know how homesick you feel right now and not every experience will be great but boy is it gonna be worth it in the end.
I feel you Holly. This year is going to be a big change for me, last year of high school. But my resolution and mantra for the year is going to be 'just do it'. I am going to try getting out of my comfort zone and meet new people. I believe you can do it too.
I went travelling a couple of months back and I felt exactly the same way about socialising. I was really worried no one was going to relate to me. I had got it into my head that everyone would be extroverted and want to go out all the time and think I was strange for needing a break from people. In fact there was a great mix of introverts and extroverts and everyone was actually feeling exactly the same way. What’s more, they were pretty open about it and it really helped us bond as a group. Your brain makes you think the worst is going to happen and in reality everyone is dealing with the same anxieties. Getting over that initially terrifying experience of exposing yourself a bit and getting to know everyone can actually make you feel so much better! PS love your videos thank you for being so relatable xx
I'm so proud of you for being able to understand why you're not adjusting to travelling straight away. I'm sure you're helping someone who is feeling the same way - be that moving to uni or travelling for the first time like you - feel understood by uploading this video. Thank you for being so vunerable! 3 months sounds like ages now but atleast when you get back home you're going to appreciate the love and hugs from your family that much more. I'm so excited to see what you get up to! Also, I suggest striking up a conversation at breakfast with people about what they are up to for the day. People tend to just invite you along to what they're doing! Just remember they're just as nervous to talk to you as you are to them.
Hey Holly! I am just like you, introverted and socializing does not come natural. My biggest advice for you is to let go of any expectations you have of how a conversation will go. Dont force socialization. When you are the most yourself the easier the conversation will be, on the tour just be you enjoy the sights and the socialization will happen. From a fellow introvert I'm so proud you are pushing yourself to have this opportunity! It will be a way to discover yourself and push yourself further than any other experience. You got this girl!
I'm just a little confused why she decided to jump right into a 3-month trip in a country so far away from where she lives as her very first solo travelling trip? especially as an introverted person who knows they struggle with homesickness in new environments (like she said with uni), i thought a shorter trip somewhere closer to home would have been a better experience for her first time solo travelling
Chloe Feather I guess I can relate to her. Sometimes you just wanna give yourself these massive goals to work even harder. I mean even if you know yourself it’s a good thing to get out of your comfort zone. It helps you realize that you’re capable to achieve more than you initially thought.
Chloe Feather I wanted to push myself and take on a challenge! I’ve been living in a comfort zone my whole life! 😅 I also didn’t expect it to be as bad, but you can never prepare for these things. Secondly, this was only day 2 and I was blowing everything out of proportion for sure. Most importantly, as you will see in my next vlog, I am starting to feel a lot better so time is definitely the solution!
@@HollyGabrielle I do understand where you're coming from! I was mainly expressing concern as you seemed so upset :( and as a fellow introvert honestly the thought of a 3-month trip halfway across the world sounds very mentally and emotionally trying, so props to you! I'm glad you're already starting to feel better! thanks for the reply, It was nice to hear your reasoning behind your decision :)
@@joy_yt99 Very true! my comment simply came from a place of concern from seeing her so upset in the past 2 videos, but of course you're right it's good to push those personal boundaries :)
Chloe Feather I thought the same. Seems so odd? She hasn’t really explained anything either other than saying she wanted to push herself but for what? To what? What’s the goal lol it’s so mentally damaging to understand your own limitations and comfort zone and yet to completely disregard that. Especially going at a time where she’ll be missing out on Christmas, her birthday and new year with family. I just think she’s going to hurt herself more than ‘find herself’ and trying to copy jade :/
Hi Holly!! I really loved this video bc I relate to a lot of things you talked about! I am spending two semesters in the US for an exchange year, I am French. So I now live accross the ocean almost on my own, because I live on campus surrounded by other students and two of them that I already knew bc we come from the same school... And as an introvert I chose to take time to travel solo. When I’m at school that’s when I socialise, meet new people, I also took dance classes to meet people with common interests. But when it comes to traveling I made the decision to be on my own so that I can choose what I want to do and I don’t have to stress even more than I already do! I hope after those three months you’ll be happy and satisfied about this experience but you’ll definitely feel proud that you’ve done it ! Sending you positive vibes 💪🏻
Thank you for your honesty Holly, you are so brave ❤️ It breaks my heart to see you upset but so glad you’re starting to feel better now. Virtual hug coming your way! x
Hi Holly! as a fellow student (but from Belgium) I have been watching your videos for a few months, and I also went abroad for 3 months, to Uganda. I totally recognize the feeling you have when you just arrive in a totally strange country, far away from home. It is totally normal!! Personally I spent waaaay to much thinking and worrying about that for the first 2 weeks of my stay. And then all of a sudden, it almost came to an end and everything felt too short. I could not believe I spent so much time being sad about it and stuff. It is not easy, and totally human! The feeling is very weird but at the end it's all worth it.
Hi Holly, I just want to say thank you for being so honest and open about how you're feeling right now. I've never been solo travelling, but I can relate with homesickness. I'm in my second year of uni and I still miss home every single day. I really admire you for having the confidence and motivation to do something as amazing as solo travelling, something which I don't think I'd ever have the bravery to do. I hope you feel better soon, and I'm sure you will start to really enjoy yourself once you've settled. Sending my love to you!
your video is such a life line for me! I'm Solo travelling myself right now. Im in NYC and ive travelled all the way from Dubai. Though my trip is just 2 weeks long but when you're feeling homesick and just want to get on a plane back home, it is really difficult! So i totally can relate to what you are going through and are timings are matching. I wish you all the very best for this brave journey you have undertaken.
Stay strong Holly!!! As a fellow introvert I can relate to the difficult in socialising and stuff,but all of us are really proud of you and wish you all the best ❤️❤️❤️
You’re being so brave. I am in my 40s and have always suffered from terrible homesickness. Set yourself targets of how long you can cope with being this anxious, say a fortnight or a month, and if you’re still really not coping please don’t be afraid to say sod it and book a flight home. Nobody will judge you, least of all me! Your mental health isn’t worth it xx
Hi Holly, hope your homesick will be better today. This is the first time I leave a comment for you, I feel the same homesick and blue as you do. Currently, I am having a master in the UK, it's been 2 months, after an adaption, I am depressed every day. Well, I am trying to focus on study and wish everything will be better for both of us. Good luck, your video helps a lot.
One thing I learned is that even those extroverts who seem to be good at socializing and all that, even they have their difficulties with it. And knowing that makes it easier because you know they would understand your side. You can do it! Find those other introverts and stick together making each other more and more confident. They’re out there just like you! I believe in you
Hey Holly, good on you for sharing the parts of this journey that aren't as good! That takes a lot of emotional security and I appreciate you prioritizing honesty over creating a perfectly reasonable, put-together, happy image at all times. Could you have done things differently? Sure, everyone can do things better even if it's their 10th time doing something! This is your first time doing this, and I just wanted to say that it's awesome you're sharing all of it while remaining very articulate about it. Good luck on the rest of your trip!
You can do this!! You have grown so much from (and since) your time at university, and I love getting to follow your journey! The joy of solo traveling is being your own captain, so to speak, so if you dont want to socialize and want some time to yourself to adjust, time is all yours. Much love from America!! 😄❤
I understand your feelings sooooo much. I went to the UK during 3 weeks last Summer ( I am from France) and I was so homesick. I just cried all the time. I wanted to see my family. Just to tell you that it will be ok, and you are not alone feeling like that when far from home.😚
Thank you for sharing such honest vlogs. It's so brave of you to share the reality of travel and how you are feeling and it is so refreshing to see someone admit to feeling overwhelmed and homesick. I have experienced similar emotions while travelling and just decided to leave and go home, but looking back I so wish that I had stuck it out, because I know that after the first couple of days it would have been so much better! I am really looking forward to following the rest of your travels and seeing you have an amazing time!!
Holly as someone who spent a chunk of their 12 hour flight to Peru (my second solo travel adventure) crying and terrified I can totally relate. The one thing I will say is if you can stick it out, you’ll be so proud of yourself. Also when I went solo travelling for the first time I went on organised tours and that was really helpful, it takes the stress of organising and planning things for yourself out of the equation which I found was really useful. Anyway, you’ve got this.
Honestly, I sometimes feel like socialising is overrated. Sure, it’s nice to have someone to talk but when you’re not feeling like talking and socialising it’s absolutely alright! I don’t understand the smalltalk thing.. silence is also a kind of conversation.
Stay Strong Holly, your brave, its an experience. Its more than what i would do, you got around university eventually so i am sure that you will get over this with time like you say so stick at it for a bit. Your an inspiration to many including me so.
Here is an advice, being so far away you have yourself unconcitionally, so take all the stuff that comes from your inner self and give thanks for them, part of the journey is learning and this bad stuff has things to show you too. So let yourself feel it. Hope it gets better, you have a lot to discover so don't let fear take control. Lots of love!
I have solo travelled before and every time I feel homesick at the begging of my journal. The first few days I always want to go back home even if I like the place, have fun and all thing, but after a week (or less sometimes, around 3/4 days) I start to really enjoy the travel 🥰
I'm on an exchange year in Canada for 8 months and It's the first time I'm away from my family, boyfriend and friends and I felt what you felt at first I was really depressed but people were so kind to me and I kept telling me that it's just 8 months in my whole life and I have to live this opportunity! So I send you all of the support and I'm sure you'll be better soon!! Just think of all the stories you're going to tell your family when you come back and how proud of you they (and you) are going to be!!
Holly don't worry , don't be scared everything is going to be fine okay, u know today I told my sister about you being in Australia and do u know what she replied to me that it is so brave of you to do this ❤️, sweet heart u r an inspiration for us , u come 1/152 , u r not a quiter , u r a winner alright so don't be afraid ❤️ just remember one thing that you always wanted to do this and u r gonna go home after this it's not like u r never going back so go out with out fear and enjoy❤️😘👏❤️
My friend's dad gave her a really good life advice out of his experience so far before she left to be in Australia for a year: Wherever you go in the world where you don't know anyone, you will miss the people you know, but you will find people who can be the person you miss for you. If you have a big brother who always takes you by the hand and you miss him, you might find a person who can kind of be this character for you while you are away (could also be a female, they just have to be that role in your life). And I am sure, if you are open minded you will find people who can give you comfort. Maybe even a hug.
I have a lot of trouble with socializing with people my age but I really enjoy talking to elderly women for some reason. For me that is always really calming and they usually have so much knowledge to share :D
My heart goes out to you Holly - I can really understand where you're coming from. don't feel under pressure to keep up with all the 'travellers', there are probably so many people feeling like you but aren't showing it. It's a big deal being on your own in a new place - i've been in that situation many times and it IS scary. but there are so many more people who never put themselves in that position. Well done for striking out on your own and seeing what happens, particularly as you know you have difficulties meeting new people etc. Well done xxx
You are doing such a great job and we are all so proud of you!!! We believe in you! You've been dreaming about Australia for so long and now you're there. You got this!!!! :)
Whenever I feel overwhelmed about these sort of experiences where there are lots of changes coming my way, I try to remind myself that this is temporary, and that the period of time I'm dreading will eventually come to an end. Also, keeping in mind that you're more likely to regret not doing something that doing the thing helps a lot. This is an experience that, had you not embarked on it, you would have kept on wondering what it was like, so just enjoy it, ups and downs included, they both make up the experience!
Having come out of the other end of solo travel as an introvert I know just how hard it is to adjust to having people around 24/7. You’re completely right in that time will help and it will get easier the more you meet people (I never thought I’d be one to actually want to go out and meet new people ya here we are). I think there’s also a lot of pressure for you (or any traveller) to have the ‘best time of your life’ and when you don’t feel that way you feel even more isolated and the fact that you’re so far from home really doesn’t help. Just keep going - you’ve got so much support from all over the world (currently coming at you from Bali) and you will have a fab time and it will get better I promise!!
It was such a brave decision to do this Holly! It’s natural for things to be difficult but the fact you chose to push yourself and are doing everything you can to give it a great go is so inspiring for all fellow introverts ✨💖
omg holly you are so brave!! we sound so similar - my homesickness at uni was so bad I used to just cry all the time and my overthinking is beyond the pale - and I would never be able to do what you’re doing now!! just getting to where you are, even the first few days, is such a huge achievement and you should be proud of yourself for just getting to Australia! thinking of you x
It is not stupid at all that you are homesick! When I went to uni for the first time it was really hard for me to be away from my family but after a few weeks you get use to it. I'm sure you will feel much better a week or two from now and you will be so proud of yourself that you did it!
Just take one day at a time and promise yourself that if you still feel the same next week you can go home. That way you take the pressure off thinking about three months all the time . I always need to feel I have away out of tough situations and it helps me to know I can get out any time I want. By thinking like that I always end up staying because situations change and I usually start enjoying it. Maybe keep a written journal too and look on the whole experience as a project. I know it is hard to make new friends but don't worry about that, it will happen I am sure . It is very early days at the moment so don't be hard on yourself, just do what is right for you
Hy Holly, I just wanted to tell you that your experience will help a whole lot of people like me. I have to partecipate in a 10 weeks university trip and I have never been away from home for more than three. Your experience, your tips will (I know this for sure) help me in a way that maybe can't be understood by someone who is less incline to become homesick. Love you from Italy
What helps me: keeping myself busy, like walking and seeing new things, and trying not to think too much. Also if I feel like I think too much, like before sleeping etc., I listen to radio (talking kind of radio; btw, ABC Adelaide is good) or some TV show etc.
Hey Holly, despite your anxiety you are a really strong person. How many people could go to the pressure cooker of the University of Cambridge and survive! Don't put pressure on yourself having to make friends with everyone. There will be a range of people you meet on your travels that you will just say hello to or good morning, others small talk about what they hope to discover on their travels in Australia while if you are very lucky you will meet a few people you really get along with but nothing can be forced. It's ok not to like someone! Your trip will be a success if you embrace the places you visit and the Australian culture. Don't define it by having to make friends with other people. Visit some community charities that share the interests you would be interested in if you were still at home and offer to volunteer for them so you actively get involved in something you definitely enjoy and they will have native knowledge about places to see! This will enable you to do something other than staying with people in the hostel. I would like to suggest a book recommendation: 'The True Story of Jimmy Governor' by Laurie Moore & Stephan Williams. - it's about an aboriginal who married a white woman (in the 19th Century) but after two and a half years he went on the run after retaliating against discrimination. He used his aboriginal skills to run rings around the dopey police until they finally caught him. I recommend this book because it's about struggling with a difficult situation. Jimmy Governor used his bush skills to his advantage to escape capture from the law! I'm not for one minute comparing like for like but I hope you can find some solace in a comparative analysis scenario about struggle and use your incredible intelligence to overcome the situation you find yourself in at the moment. Good Luck!
I think something that helps is maybe buy a little gift for your mum and dad, I did this and it made me feel almost less guilty for leaving. And it gives you comfort that you will going home eventually and when you do you can gift your gift
When I moved to Australia to do my PhD I used to cry every single day for a year. Then I started loving it. Give yourself some time to get used to life there. I'm pretty sure this is going to be a rich experience
Hey, I am currently in Melbourne as well. I am staying here for 10 month because I am doing an exchange year here. I've already been here for nearly 4 months now. I can so relate to what you are saying. My first month was horrible. I was crying every day and wanted to give up as well. As you can see I pushed through that phase. And honestly it's getting better. Even though it's not perfect at all I am still happier. Exploring helps me a lot. Just getting out putting on an audio book or music treating my self to a cup of coffee and going to different places!! Good luck I know you can do it and in the end it's just a short period of time in your life. I know this might not help because on some days it would help me either. But your amazing so you go girl.
