Blues

Hi everyone,

Just after a few words of encouragement really.

Have been in Australia nearly a year now. God knows how the time has passed so quickly..but I feel as if I’ve only just got started(!)

I decided to go travelling because I was stuck in a big rut, wanted a bit of “character building” and to gain some independence etc blah blah.

But now I’m on my own for the first time (which is okay and proves I can do it), with a gazillion choices to make yet I just don’t feel like doing anything at all and am not really enjoying myself as I should. Am going super quick down the east coast, even though I have another year left.

Whenever I book something, the morning I wake up to do it I don’t feel like doing it (even cancelled a tour once).

I got my 2nd year visa because I thought I hadn’t done things I wanted to with the year I had , but now it turns out I didn’t even want to do them now I have the time and money.

I have a flight booked back for 14th June (was booked last year when I wasn’t intending to get another visa) so I can’t help wondering if I should go home for a month or so or just carry on mentally suffering here on my own?

People say I shouldn’t go back because I won’t end up coming back out. I don’t REALLY want to go back, yet at the same time I don’t really want to stay and be like this.

I have suffered depression in the past but I am usually a “functional” depressive, so I still do stuff, although it’s begrudgingly.

Anyone else experienced this while travelling?

xxx

I don’t think I did, though I did feel other things.

Sounds like you should go home for bit. There isn’t a time limit on how long you have to activate the second year is there? If not then you have plenty of time to use it (depending on your age).

Apart from going home what do you feel like doing? Where was your favourite place? Go and stay there for a bit. It might help you to stay in one place for a little while (even if it is just a week) and to just chill out.

I have had similar things (lathough to a lesser degree) while travelling. Find sometimes I became quite lazy and would basically go a week or two without really doing anythng and then feel bad that I was not motivated to and see more temples or parks etc.

Whenever I have ended up in a bit of a rut it has always been meeting some awesome people which has piked me up. My advice is therefore to keep on moving through Oz - try to find some cool people or a place you really enjoy andthen bed down for a while.

Guarantee if you come home you will regret it!

This may sound harsh but i dont mean it to be..

Don’t moan. I literally have the worst luck and dream of being able to afford a 6month travel trip yet you’ve got the opportunity to stay another year? Make the most of it

It’s something I worry about. When I was travelling before I became down but did shake out of it after a few days once I had moved on elsewhere and found somewhere better to be. I take medication currently and I’m wondering what to do about it because I don’t want to rely on pills but at the same time they do help me deal with things! And also, I intend to go for a long time, over a year at least, so I’m wondering what to do about perscriptions.

Forget the second year visa and go somewhere more interesting than Australia.

You’re probably just starting to realise that you went all the way around the world just to go somewhere that’s basically like home but with added sunshine.

Have you been to Bali/Fiji/New Zealand? If not why not head there and see some new places for a month? I loved NZ and it may either make you decide you
1) want to go home in general
2) want to leave Aus
3) It was a blip and you want to stay

travelling isnt one thing or the other, happy/sad/homesick etc I found they days could hold a bit of everything so dont blame yoourself or feel badm just try and work out what is going to make you happy :) xx

Hi,

To whoever said stop moaning, I wasn’t! I worked hard to fund my trip to come out here, I have worked hard since and I am grateful that I had the opportunity to come here. I just feel like I’ve lost a bit of perspective is all.

I have fancied going somewhere else for a while so maybe I’ll do that while I still have a few pennies.

Travelling on my own I find I have a lot of time to think so that doesn’t help either. Must actively seek company!

Thanks for your replies, I will consider them all.

Cheers x