Ireland, Europe

How It Feels to Be Back in My Home Country After Travelling & Working Overseas For Six Years

Photo taken by me: Ireland

It feels nice to be home. I have peace.

When I left Ireland six years ago, the plan was to teach English in Vietnam for one year, visit a few other countries, and go home.

I never imagined I’d stay away for so long, but after one year I was enjoying my new home base in Da Nang, Central Vietnam so much I didn’t want to leave.

Da Nang Beach, Central Vietnam

I’ve been back two weeks now and I’m settling in slowly.

I know from past experiences that if I move too fast, I don’t make good decisions and find myself in a job or situation I later regret.

So I’ve just been enjoying the things I missed the most such as the food, talking to people again (without a language barrier), Irish tea, the cooler weather, catching up on current affairs, taking walks, and of course, the daffodils.

I haven’t seen real daffodils in over six years. They are in abundance here as it’s Spring.

It’s interesting being back as I am so different from before — a lot has changed, and I have changed.

Before I left, a lot of old relationships dissolved which was a good thing.

I took up writing and podcasting in the last few years which is new. So to come home and continue doing these things seems funny.

And the last thing about being here now is the memories. Inevitably they come to the surface. I am allowing them to come up as I did a lot of letting go during my travels. These memories serve as a reminder that I am moving into a new season in my life.

A lot of healing takes place when travelling which is one of the things I like about it. I have learned to detach from persons, places, and things. So although I am in my homeland, I don’t feel the same connection as before.

I feel like a visitor and I’m okay with that.

If I settle here, that will be fine too.

I don’t mind what happens next, but I know I will have to take a trip again soon!

We’ll see what happens. :)

Thank you for reading.

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