Travel is exciting, eye-opening, and full of unforgettable moments—but it can also bring a quiet, nagging ache: homesickness. Whether you’re away for school, work, or just exploring, missing the comforts of home is a natural part of the journey.

For Lykkers on the road, this guide offers gentle tips to help ease that ache and reconnect with joy wherever you are. You’ll learn how to care for your emotions without cutting your adventures short, and how to find comfort in unfamiliar places. Let’s turn homesickness into a stepping stone—not a roadblock.

Acknowledge What You Feel

First things first: homesickness doesn’t mean you’re weak or not cut out for travel. It means you care deeply about where you come from—and that’s something to respect, not hide.

Recognize the Signs

You might feel unusually tired, less excited about exploring, or overly focused on what’s happening back home. That quiet longing is your heart adjusting to new surroundings. Take a moment to recognize it without judgment.

Talk to yourself as you would a friend: “You’re not weird for missing home. It’s part of growing.” Accepting the feeling makes it less overwhelming.

Create Familiar Rituals

You don’t need to recreate your entire home abroad, but small rituals help ground you. Maybe it’s morning tea, journaling at sunset, or listening to a playlist from home.

Keep in touch with loved ones through short, intentional check-ins. A voice note or quick call can lift your mood without keeping you emotionally stuck in the past.

Let Your Emotions Breathe

Trying to push homesickness away often makes it louder. Instead, make space for it. Take a walk, write about it, or even cry a little if you need to. Emotions move more freely when you stop resisting them.

According to Dr. Josh Klapow, a clinical psychologist at the University of Alabama, “Homesickness is a longing for connection. The more you engage with your current environment, the more that longing shifts into appreciation for the present.”

Build a New Connection with Where You Are

Once you’ve acknowledged what you’re feeling, you can start to grow roots—no matter how temporary they are.

Make Where You Are Feel Yours

Add touches of “you” to your space, even if it’s just for a week. A scarf on a chair, postcards from places you love, or a tiny travel keepsake—these small things make a room feel more like a corner of comfort.

You can also find a local café, park, or routine that becomes yours. Something you return to that feels familiar and safe, just like your favorite places back home.

Stay Curious and Open

Instead of comparing everything to home, lean into curiosity. Ask locals for food or music recommendations. Visit a weekend market or try a new route to your destination. When you invite new experiences in, your mind becomes more anchored in the moment.

Curiosity is the antidote to disconnection. And when you’re focused on learning and exploring, the weight of homesickness often lightens on its own.

Create Connections Where You Are

You don’t have to find your new best friend overnight—but having friendly chats, joining a walking tour, or taking a class can go a long way.

According to Marya Gwadz, professor at New York University, “Feeling a sense of belonging in your surroundings—however small—helps the emotional system relax. Even small social interactions can build that bridge.”

Look for people who share your interests, even if you just wave or share a laugh. Those tiny moments build a sense of community, even thousands of miles from home.

Homesickness is a sign that your heart is full of meaningful ties—and that’s something worth celebrating. But it doesn’t have to steal the joy of your adventure.

When you respect what you feel and gently lean into where you are, the world opens up in new ways. You start to feel connected not just to one place, but to the beautiful variety of life itself.

So, Lykkers, the next time you feel that tug toward home, take a breath. Then take a step. You’re not alone—and this place might just surprise you with the comfort it has to offer.