When is it time to go home?

When is it time to go home?

I’ll admit it, I’m homesick. This probably has a bit to do with the fact that all my children will soon be living back in Australia. Although, to be honest, I think it goes a bit deeper than that.

We have been “Expats” for almost 8 years, although technically the term doesn’t apply to us anymore, as we are employed on a local contract in Hong Kong. This effectively means Hong Kong will be our home until we decide otherwise. More and more Expats are taking local packages as it is cost effective for companies. This means that the decision to go home now rests on our shoulders.

So how do you know when that time has come? Is there a defining moment when you all of a sudden wake up and say to your partner, “Ok, I’m ready”? Or does it happen slowly with lots of intense discussions and a list of pro’s and con’s?

I have friends who decided to head home when their children reached High School age. Preferring them to finish their education in their home country. Other friends decided to go home once they had a family. They wanted their children to grow up in Australia with a backyard and fresh air. The reasons for returning to your home country are varied and very individual. Some people never feel the urge to head home, preferring instead to become citizens of the world with houses on different continents.

I know I am not one of those people. Home to me is Australia, where my family are. Don’t get me wrong; I have loved every minute of living abroad, and still love life in Hong Kong. We have had a fabulous 8 years, traveling and exploring places we would never had the opportunity to see if we had stayed in Australia. We have met some amazing people and made life long friends. I wouldn’t change a minute of it. However, I’m feeling a bit unsettled now, the lure of home is calling.

So, how do you know when it’s time to go home?

Is it when you wake up some mornings and are not sure which country your in?

Is it when you can no longer walk down Queen’s Rd Central (Hong Kong) between 12-2pm for fear of doing someone physical bodily harm if they don’t a) walk a bit quicker b) get off their phones while walking a bit quicker c) Walk a bit quicker and in a straight line?

Is it when you look longingly at a Green patch of lawn and crave a backyard instead of a balcony?

Is it when the vegetable patch that you used to whine about weeding all the time, suddenly seems like a little slice of heaven? (I can’t even manage to keep herbs alive here!).

Is it when you get all emotional about missing family occasions like Christenings, and communions…when you used to go to any lengths to avoid them!!

Is it when you start getting misty eyed when you talk about the virtues of your home country?

Is it when you lose the energy and enthusiasm for making new friends, as it’s too painful when they leave?

Is it when you actually miss commercial TV as TV in Hong Kong is so awful?

Is it when your children say, “Mum, I really need you to come home now?”’

Is it when you realize your 15 nieces and nephews are almost grown up, and you have missed it happening?

Is it when your back home and you go into raptures at the smell of fresh grown tomatoes straight from the garden? In Australia my Dad grows tomatoes every year, and they are sensational…just ask him!

Is it when the sight of a dog in a tutu with pink shoes on no longer surprises you?

Is it when you go home and realize that your clothes are all wrong? What is perfect for lunch in Hong Kong is not appropriate for grabbing a snack in Sydney.

Is it when you put your thongs on (flip flops) and get sore between the toes? (This would never happen if you lived in Australia, as your thongs are part of your anatomy).

Is it when you hear the  Peter Allen song “I still call Australia home” and you become a sobbing mess? (I’m tearing up thinking about it!).

At the moment our plan is to be in Hong Kong for a few more years. We really do love our life here and our wonderful friends. However, I’m very aware that the time is drawing near when I would like to go back to Australia. This has lead to some very constructive discussions with my husband and we have started working together on a plan to make a future transition as easy as possible. We will begin by researching where we would like to live; do we want a city apartment or a country property? Will we settle in Sydney or Melbourne or somewhere in between? I feel like this has given us a long-term goal to get excited about, and importantly for me, I can now take action steps towards making it happen.  Already I can feel my mind set changing, and the little knot of homesickness that had been forming in my chest, has eased. I have started on my journey home.

I would love to hear your thoughts on this topic? How do you know when it’s time to go home?