Returning Home - how to reconnect

[imperfect_cupcake]

Originally Posted by Elishat

I've lived in Japan for the last 5 years and am planning on moving back to the states next year. Reverse Culture Shock is going to hit me very hard too, I know it. I'm used to, and quite like, Japanese culture now, which is very different then the US, plus I am completely bilingual. So I know adjusting will be miserable.

A couple of things, first, I focus on my hobbies. Before I change countries (I have moved back and forth before) I look for a horse barn in my new area. I am an avid horse rider. One of the first things I do after moving is start riding again. First of all it gives me something to look forward to, second, instant friends. People with things in common always have something to talk about. This goes for any hobbies/sports. Like knitting/crochet? find a knitting circle. Like soccer? find an adult soccer team.

Second focus on the positives about going home. Seeing my family, food that I can't find in rural northern Japan, and dating, are the things I am looking forward to. I am going to miss Japan something fierce but I also have many things I am looking forward too.

Lastly realize that, no matter what, you are going to miss the home you leave behind. Keep in touch with your friends there as much as you can, they will help keep you grounded too!

Good luck with the move!!

oh it's a dream of mine to travel in japan!!! I love so much of japanese culture.

I started zazen a little while ago and find it's been helping me adjust to all the massive upheval that I've been dealing with. So, yes, I think that's a very good idea. I've been looking for soto dojos in vancouver, I went on OKCupid and POF to see who's around for dating and it seems to be MUCH easier than dating here (people actually date. the dating ritual here makes me mental as it was one of those things I just don't understand and couldn't adapt to thus most of my partners have been non-english or from oop north) but the one thing that attracts me to people is caustic humour and vancouver people are very polite and nice at first so I feel I have to rumple them up a little bit to get them to relax enough to know that it's ok to piss take.

I am looking forward to seeing some of my old friends and doing things I haven't done in almost 10 years. Some of those points are quite good, so I appreciate that. Keeping myself focused and connected to activities I do where ever I am will help. I am incredibly thankful for skype as I will be able to communicate with people anywhere. I do find it odd that not as many people as I thought use it.

I will also be looking for a writers group and perhaps archery. I would love to get back into horse back riding again. Ideally I'd love to combine archery with horseback!

But I have school starting in Jan and I'm sure between running, zazan, dating, friends and school, I think I won't have much time for much else. I used to play bass, paint, do silver sauder, uni, date and run in my 20's. how I managed to do that I have no idea.

Thankyou LK mapping this out is helping.

PS I always dreamed of living in rural japan for a little bit. I know I know next to nothing about it, but "Satoyama: Japans secret water gardens" is one of my all time favourite docus and would love to live it for a bit.
[nomedia="http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1XNxc3CwSM"]Satoyama I Japans Secret Watergarden 720p (Documentary) - YouTube[/nomedia]