Introduction
Something is exciting about retiring in Asia—immersing in an entirely new culture, discovering beautiful landscapes, and experiencing a different way of life. One of the emotional challenges related to moving to a continent so far away, though, is going to be how much distance there will be between you and your loved ones. Feeling the absence of family and friends is common among expats, and it can make a difference in your overall well-being, making a lot of difference in the enjoyment of your new life abroad. The following blog post describes one of the emotional challenges, ‘missing loved ones when retiring to Asia’, and shares some pragmatic strategies for keeping in touch, building new relationships, and overcoming feelings of isolation.
Emotional Impact—Understanding
While the idea of moving to Asia for retirement is rather adventurous, there is an emotional toll that one has to pay from keeping oneself at such a distance from home. Sometimes, this gets overwhelmingly distant, especially during events that happen in the major milestones of life, at holidays, or special occasions wherein family and friends would normally be present. Recognizing and accepting your feelings is the first step toward managing them effectively.
Feeling homesick due to such a big change in life is quite natural. It needs to be kept in mind that it is normal and it takes time to get adjusted to a new place. By first understanding the emotional impact of being away from loved ones, you will be better prepared with ways of coping strategies and methods for staying connected strongly despite the physical distance.
Stay Connected Through Technology
Advancing technology has made it very easy to remain in contact with your loved ones, regardless of where you might be in the world. Keeping in touch can be accomplished by embracing the power of digital communication.
Video calls via platforms like Zoom, Skype, or FaceTime will let one feel close enough that you could see and hear your loved one in real time. It is something to look forward to when you schedule regular catchups, and this would help in keeping the line of connection going with family and friends.
Apart from sharing updates, pictures, and messages, it is quite easy through facilities provided by Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp, and so on. The use of these facilities will let you feel much closer to your dear ones and will keep you updated about all the vital events and important milestones.
Making New Traditions
Although keeping close contact with family and friends back home is good, it is equally important to create some new traditions locally in your retirement destination. In many ways, making new traditions will help you settle into your new environment and get the most out of the experience in Asia. New activities and routines can give you a sense of purpose and facilitate building a full life overseas.
Think about participating in local festivals and holidays, joining events within the community, or looking for a new hobby that interests you. The new connections that result from following your interests and passions can help to make the new environment feel more like home.
Setting up your own rituals—like having a regular gathering with other expats, or attending cultural activities in the country—can create a sense of community and help alleviate loneliness. Embrace this new environment and enjoy the new local experiences to get the perfect retirement life, balancing it and making it satisfying.
Creating a New Social Network
Probably the best way to get over missing family and friends is to develop a new social network where you choose to retire. New relationships, and forging bonds with fellow expats, as well as locals, will give one support, company, and belonging.
You may want to consider joining expat groups, clubs, or volunteer organizations that interest you. These are mostly resourceful with events and activities where you can easily meet similar-minded people to form worthwhile friendship networks. Get involved in community activities and network with others for a feeling of belonging in your new surroundings.
You can even learn the local language to make new friends as you improve your communication skills. Learning the local language not only enhances your communication with the locals but also assists in making deeper connections and a better understanding of their culture.
Being Able to Maintain Good Relationships Back Home
Maintaining good relations with family and friends back home requires some effort and communication. Just staying in touch and proactive will help bridge the distance to ensure that relationships remain strong and meaningful.
Try making regular contact by calling, messaging, or video calling. Share your experiences and updates with them, but do not forget to send photos that will help keep them involved in your life abroad. Showing your feelings and becoming involved in their lives can help in keeping the feeling of being close while you are physically far from each other.
It’s also good to plan visits or vacations back home when possible. Having trips booked to see family and friends allows for some very necessary catch-up time for maintaining relationships. On the other hand, it’s also rewarding to have your loved ones visit you in Asia, as they get to see where you live and do a few fun activities with you.
How to Deal with Loneliness
Probably the toughest part of life abroad is the loneliness when you are far away from family and friends. It is essential to recognize the feelings and take proactive actions to deal with them.
Lonely feelings can be overcome by engaging in some activity that is enjoyable or gives one a sense of fulfillment. You can do this by following your hobbies, new interests, and other volunteering activities around your area that will give you a sense of purpose, making reaching out to others easier. Moreover, taking good care of your physical health tends to have a positive effect on your emotional well-being.
You can further seek help from mental health professionals or counselors in case you are hit by loneliness or homesickness that refuses to go away. Professional advice will help you with coping mechanisms and offer you emotional support that may enable you to find your way around challenges and finally settle into your new life abroad.
Conclusion
It is quite common to feel a sense of loss due to the absence of family and friends after retiring to Asia. With the proper strategies and mindset, one could remain connected through technology, make new traditions, form a social circle, and build firm relations back home to find balance and fulfillment in retirement abroad.
Take this as an opportunity to travel, join, and get acquainted with your new surroundings while keeping in touch with family and friends. With patience, time, and a sense of initiative, one can overcome any emotional issue they may face with living away from home and enjoy a fulfilling and enriching retirement experience in Asia.
Ray Brocklesby, the site owner, is a Brit who now lives in the Philippines. He is retired and lives with his wife Weng, Daughter Kristelle, nephews, Harvey and Boknoy, and mother-in-law. Ray also has a son and daughter living in the UK, and a son in New Zealand.
