How to Make the World Your Home

And here’s the thing about travelling: Even the most learned travellers feel homesick. I, sometimes do, too!

Travelling feels like a nourishment for the mind and soul, but travel fatigue eventually set in and you start longing for those things that feel familiar and comforting — things that make you feel at home.

… unless you make the world your home instead!

And that’s how I stay on the road for a long time — by making the world my home. It’s a state of mind that helps you to feel comfortable and connected to all the things around you, regardless of where you are. So let’s learn today, perhaps…

How to Make the World Our Home

Think About Previous Travels

Whenever I feel a little low, I jump back and forth between places I’ve been to in the past.

This helps me in building a stronger connection with my current location and reflect on the good experiences I’ve had in the past. It also helps in reminding myself how badly I missed those places once I left them, and thus motivates me to make the most of the present destination/situation.

I keep chronicling my journeys, whether I was solo dining in a restaurant, solo jogging in a park, or enjoying drinks in a hostel with friends.

Look back on moments and venues that brought you happiness during your trips. What did you learn from them, and how do you think those experiences have improved your life? Whom did you meet and how much you’re missing them right now?

If you’re lazy one or have a bad memory like me, there are many bookmarking GPS tracker apps that you can download and keep a virtual memory of your previous travels (by tagging photos and videos in your phone with time and location).

Connect To Things And People That Matter

Another way to feel at home during your travels is by staying in touch with the people and hobbies you love the most.

Back in the day, this was a challenge, but not anymore. You can skype your mom in New Delhi from Everest today. If the mom is not your favorite, just delve into your Facebook or Twitter feed. See what the people you know are doing in their lives right now and get to engage with them. Speak to people you know and you will feel a lot better. Alternatively, play the virtual guitar by downloading a mobile app, or the card game you always loved the most.

Travelling doesn’t mean you have to socialise with strangers all the time.

rice beer nagaland

I do a lot of Skype or Whatapp video chat while travelling, and this prevents me from feeling homesick. Getting involved with people I am looking forward to seeing again helps me feel closer to home.

Likewise, I keep practising daily rituals and hobbies/interests. For example, yoga. I do it when I am home. I do it when I travel. This keeps my homesickness at bay.

I Make New Locations Feel More Personal

Are you going to be in one location for a few days or a week? Try to establish a small network and make that new destination your home, even if in a tiny way.

For example, if you find a cafe you like or a sushi bar, be sure to go there again and again. Get to know the owners or the staff. Try to engage with the local community and make them a temporary family.

Mishing community Majuli Island

By bringing local people closer to me and finding a friend in an unknown world really helps.

I often stick to the idea of eating at the same place every day, yet I do it. This keeps me connected to society, feels a part of it, and stays away from feeling homesick.

Make New Friends & Meet The Known Ones

Travelling solo? You’re not alone — many people love to go exploring by themselves. So try to make friends in the city you’re travelling to. Join guided day tours, stay in hostel dormitories, try a new bar and mingle with other travellers out there.

Here’s a detailed guide on how to make friends while travelling and overcome loneliness.

Beaches in Goa

However, if meeting new people and making friends seem impossible to you (as it may, during your initial days of solo travelling) an easy way to sidestep this is by arranging a meet-up with friends in the city/country you’re travelling to. Update your location status on Facebook and Instagram and let your friends know you’re around. Perhaps that old school friend you haven’t seen in a long time may just be a 10-minute train ride away, who knows!


These are some really simple steps you can take to make the world your home, irrespective of your location!

Do you have other ideas on how to make the world you home? Share your thoughts and leanings in the comments below.

Categories Miscellaneous

About

I am Dev, and I've been travelling full-time since 2016. I was a journalism student & started my corporate career as a documentary film-maker in England, before moving to India & becoming a full-time nomad. 25+countries. 50+ Brand Partnerships. And the adventure continues...

  1. Great article for travellers!

  2. Shoestring Travel

    Loved the tips … Being myself a travel blogger I can truly understand…
    Its important to connect with the locals while travelling… It not helps to know the local culture and the way of living but also helps when someone is missing home.

  3. I totally agree. My bucket list is full of experiences not places. Some experience are designated to a particular location, like taking a helicopter over the grand canyon, but others are open to many different locations …like seeing the Northern lights. Documenting them in a Memorable way is so fun too

  4. These are some wonderful tips to make yourself comfortable and welcome a new place. There’re many traveling groups on Facebook where you get a chance to meet local travelers. I have got a chance to meet a few awesome girls during my Chicago trip last winter!

  5. Yes I do Dev! I am a solo female traveler from Nepal! I agree with your tips. One thing I would add is, to download offline maps just incase.
    Anna
    annasherchand.com

  6. Alexander Popkov

    True! I think travelers should make their time more personal. I am a supporter or of a tourism when you stay long in one place and get to know the place and people well.

  7. Kellee @ LifeAdventurers

    Some awesome tips here, especially for those that are missing home. However, I’m on the flipside, wishing I was somewhere else and missing places. I still do the same tips though, looking at videos, sketches, pictures to remind me. Sometimes, I’ll walk down the street and smell something that will remind me of that place.

  8. This is the best. I’ve been backpacking for 6 months so far and what I’ve done differently this time is to really make an effort at least once a week to connect with my friends back home, even if it’s just a quick message. I like your tip of making each place more personal too. I’ll definitely use some of these during the rest of my travels, thanks!

  9. Soumya Gayatri

    I do feel homesick after about 10 days on every trip of mine. And the best way to ward it off is by getting a kitchen to myself and cooking something that I call comfort-home food. One day of that food and I am back on my feet again! But I love your idea of making new locations personal. It makes so much sense now that I think about it.

  10. These are really good tips for long-term travellers. I never feel homesick when I travel with my family. They are my home, wherever I take them.

  11. Revati Victor

    Fantastic tips Dev. I like to develop a “favourite place” whether it’s a sunset spot or a restaurant in a new city, so it starts feeling like it’s mine.

  12. I think the best thing that can quell that loneliness during long-term travel is contact with my friends and family. Like you said, there are many ways to reach out to those people. They are only an app away.

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