Living abroad to most probably seems glamorous. Many people view it as they would a fairy tale. Everything appears romantic, better, cooler happier. And while that is true part of the time, living abroad can also be difficult in the sense that it's not home or even in the vicinity of home. And so of course we expats (and I think I can speak for the majority of us) love to return home for visits. However, this can be dangerous.
After living abroad for 15 years, going home is something I always look forward to. In fact, for me it's necessary in order to keep my frame of mind healthy and my sanity intact. But as I just recently told David, as much as I love going home, sometimes I don't think it's always good. I know that seems like an oxymoron but it's a real battle that I deal with and my husband as well, when we return to his home country of Malaysia.
As you fly in, over the desert, you cross over the Interstate 10 and the memories of drives along the freeway begin. It's a feeling of exhilaration, old familiarities, home. And once you start your drive to your hometown across that desert, despite the changes and growth of the city you see places that you spent time at, riding dirt bikes with your cousins and the mountains where you hiked with your dad searching for special stones. The mall is still standing (even though ran down) that you spent countless hours with your mom shopping for the perfect dress for Easter Sunday. And not too far away is the roller-skating rink that you frequented practically every weekend when you were a young teen.
The memories flood your mind and the visuals, tastes and smells play havoc with you mind and your emotions. This is home! And although you've been away for many years, there's still an appeal that is captivating and alluring, pulling you back to the place of familiarity that you know so well.
For me, the desire of remaining in my home during our visits was due to the fact that I spent many years in a country that I was not happy in. A place that was completely different in every aspect than everything I ever knew. Therefore, I was in a constant escape mode allowing the comforts of home to tear at my soul.
Just last year, I put my foot down. I demanded a change that would place our family back at my roots. It was a difficult decision for my husband, the main provider of the family being that his job is in Europe with no ability to transfer to the states. However, happy wife means happy life, right?!
However, things took an unexpected turn. Within a few months of the decision another option was set before us. An option that would take us to a place that we both love and that possessed many attributes of my home and David's home . This alternative was so perfect that it still allows David to continue working for the same company and keeps us close to our daughter and granddaughter in Germany.
I'm not saying that Mallorca, Spain will be our forever home but it is a great alternative to the original plan that was set to take place. And it has surprisingly made going home this time a little less painful... a little!
"For this world is not our permanent home;
we are looking forward to a home yet to come."~Romans 13:14 With Love and Blessings, Robin and David If you're not already following us, CLICK HERE And join in on our wild adventures of culture, personality and fervor!
Depression is not black or white nor is it simply a feeling of being sad and unhappy. It’s not something that you will snap out of, nor will it completely disappear when you wake up one morning. Living with depression requires consistent management and effects each person differently. However, there are ways to overcome depression naturally.
Understanding your own depression is vital to knowing how to manage it by finding the needed support through your journey. And the method one person uses might not be effective for another. This is why it’s important to seek out alternative ways to not only change the way we look at our depression, but also to encourage us to be open for different experiences that will help towards controlling depression in an effective way. This will gradually increase our energy and clarity to move forward in a positive way strengthening our drive to remain healthy. Hormones are released when you travel
Although no scientific research has been made into the connection of travel curing depression, many people suffering from depression have come forward about how through their travels and encountering different people, situations and experiences has helped them in overcoming it naturally.
Endorphins and oxytocin play a major role in the chemistry of our brain and the way our mood affects the way we perceive ideas, thoughts and beliefs. Through traveling, endorphins and oxytocin are released in countless ways through different experiences we encounter. And with travel, our brain is forced to use these hormones to improve our mood and outlook on life itself. A survey from Priceline.com found that traveling is the number one mood booster saying that “More than half of Americans say travel improves their mood even more than exercising or shopping.” That is monumental, considering how much shopping boosts our mood, right ladies?! Vacations and longer trips prove to fill that travel "sweet spot", whether it’s to spend time with family and friends or to just get away and rest up. It's really of no surprise, everyone needs a break and time to recover or heal. Traveling Presents Unique Situations
Depression can take form in many ways but when you suffer from depression, you can have a tendency to isolate and alienate yourself from others. And this usually causes you to indulge in negative thinking and beliefs that can cut you off from external environments that might potentially help you get through these challenging bouts.
Traveling puts you in the middle of situations forcing you to see what is happening around you and causes your brain to problem solve in different ways that you wouldn’t necessarily face in everyday life and especially NOT from your isolated bedroom. You also become exposed to new people and different stimuli that steers you away from focusing too much on your emotions. Distraction isn’t an instant cure for depression. But, it will cause you to concentrate less on your inner thoughts allowing you to perceive things differently. Creating new positive memories will absolutely drive out the negative thinking! Traveling Increases Self-worth
Depression leads to thoughts of low self-worth creating a negative belief convincing us that we are incapable of A LOT of things. It will prevent us from seeing our true-self and our full potential. However, traveling educates us in ways that no other experiences can, showing us that we are in actuality very capable of many things. This creates a kind of inspiration that alters our perception of our self and others around us.
Meeting people who have made life choices based on what they want, rather than what society expects, encourages us to also choose to think this way. Traveling affords you the freedom to eat what you want, see what you want and do anything that you want to do, which depression prevents you from in everyday life. Meeting People Helps Overcome Depression
Depression brings with it social anxiety or anti-social tendencies. When at home, in your everyday environment meeting new people can be hard. But when traveling, you are more likely to meet open, friendlier people that are more prone to conversation. Traveling creates a common bond between fellow travelers because the majority are sharing similar experiences.
Meeting people from different cultures and all walks of life opens up your mind to ideas and gives you an understanding that you would not have had if you stay at home. In the long-run, friendships gathered from your travels serves as a constant reminder of the positive memories helping to drive out the depression once you’re back home. Traveling Shows Us the Bigger Picture
When depression hits, the big picture of our lives is shrunk down to sometimes almost nothing. When we’re bogged down in everyday life and problems, it prevents us from accessing problems properly. Depression causes us to have a skewed view of the world creating a grim outlook on life.
Traveling allows us to see the bigger picture. It helps us put thoughts and views into perspective, allowing us to make clearer assessments. When we take ourselves out of our usual environment, our eyes are forced to see the world through a different lens. The accumulation of experiences gained through traveling can create a whole new thought process aiding us in overcoming depression. Creation is a Natural Anti-Depressant
Never underestimate the vast beauty and wonder that this Earth provides and its effect on us as human beings! Traveling creates a sense of awe that we don’t necessarily get the chance to experience when we’re seeing the same places and same people everyday at home.
The awe has a massive affect on our well-being and happiness when traveling to different cities and countries. Whether it’s diving in the waters of Ko Phi Phi, Thailand or trekking through the forests of Bavaria, nature has a very strong and calming effect on us. A study in the UK reported by BBC says, “Intuitively we knew that nature was good for us as humans, but the results were beyond brilliant .” Traveling creates immense opportunities that help expose us to more of what God's creation has to offer us mentally and spiritually.
You might be thinking that traveling is not for me. Or that it costs too much to go somewhere new or exotic. You might be a workaholic that instead of taking advantage of your vacation time at work, you opt to have your company pay out. But if you are depressed or have anxiety, travel can be a part of the solution. It was for me!
I have suffered under depression for my entire life. And there has been several times that it actually knocked me out. However, the more I fight against it and find new ways to change my life and my thinking, the less often it comes at me. Travel has absolutely been a huge catalyst in this process! I wouldn't stop seeing new places and meeting new people for anything! It has become such an important part of our lives, that the financial outlook of life in general has been altered, prompting us to trade in material things for the experiences. It has not only changed my life but David's too. And it can change yours! "Keep moving forward."- Pawn
If you battle with depression, why don't you give it a try? There are many places you can vacation in that won't cost you a lot but the reward is great, such as Thailand...you can read my blog about it here.
...And if you need tips as to how to save up for that much needed getaway, I have put together a guide of 50 EASY ways to get your dream vacation while saving a ton of money! You can get it by signing up at the link below. With Love and Blessings, Robin and David If you're not already following us, CLICK HERE And join in on our wild adventures of culture, personality and fervor! In less than just a week, it's Valentine's Day! Maybe you are still trying to figure out what to get for your loved ones. Every year when February 14th rolls around, you head off to the local drugstore to pick up a box of chocolate and flowers for your husband or wife and kids on your way home from work. Same routine, same gifts... And maybe this year, you have the inclination to do things a bit different. So why not try something offbeat, colorful or fun? A different kind of way to say, "You're special" You mean the world to me" "I love you", as opposed to the ordinary mundane Valentine's gifts of the past. Here it is! 25 simple but GREAT Valentine's Day gift ideas that won't empty your pockets and are guaranteed to hit them with the arrow of love! I've made it so easy for you.. so easy that you don't even need to leave your house to buy the gifts! All you need to do is click on the link I've provided or the photo itself... and you will be directed straight to the website where you can make your purchase and have it sent directly to the address you provide! Sounds easy, right? It is!!! Mr. and Mrs. FrameMatching Quote Rings
Matching rings that are personalized with your favorite quote or promise of your love to one another are beautiful and practical. (www.etsy.com)
Love Measuring Spoons
What a sweet way to be reminded of your love for each other every time you bake! (www.mignon-shop.com)
Love Ring
Nothing says you love her quite like a ring does! (www.etsy.com)
Satin Sheets
Treat your man or wife like the royalty that they are with purple luxurious satin sheets! (www.amazon.com)
UGG boots
Warm her heart as you warm up her feet with UGG boots! It works everytime for me! (www.amazon.com)
Hipster Mug
Let him know how you really feel about his beard! (www.amazon.com)
Print Your Instagram Pics to Frame
In today's times, Instagram takes the credit for all the greatest pictures. So, why not take the best, print and frame to give as a gift that can be displayed in plain sight? (www.socialprintstudio.com)
Coffee and Cuddling Mug
There's no better way to start out the day than with coffee and cuddling! And it's quality time with your honey. (www.amazon.com)
Personalized Photo Puzzle
This is a great way to turn a favorite photo into a fun activity! (www.potraitpuzzles.com)
Lunchbox Notes
A great way to let your kids know how much you love them and you think about them even while they're away! (www.lunchboxnotes.com)
Family Frame
The family will love the joy this frame will bring as pictures are chosen to complete it and hang it in your family room. (www.amazon.com)
Snow Tube
Instead of giving chocolate to the kids, why not give them something that will provide loads of fun and keep them busy? They will love this chubby penguin to slide down the slopes on. (www.amazon.com)
Dog Sweater
Valentine's Day is for everyone, right? Let's not forget our furry family members! Show your pet your puppy love with this cute cuddly sweater. (chillydogsweaters.com)
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We're David & Robin, Despite the odds being stacked against us, we've accomplished what everyone said was impossible! We own our own life and we want to help you do the same!
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