Here are some coping mechanisms to help if you are feeling home sick:

• Don’t stay trapped inside.
• Create a routine.
• Plan regular drop ins home.
• Stay connected with family and friends.
• Explore new hobbies.
• Start a new series.
• Meditation.
• Start a new job or college course.
• Have a home warming.
• Get to know the environment outside your home.

I can assure you it’s normal to feel home sick when you leave home. Leaving home is a good thing just think positive as it’s a new journey a new path and a fresh start.

If you are starting to feel low,anxious or depressed your not alone!.There are help lines for this and they will give you the best possible care by professionals.I have listed some helplines to help with this at the end of my article.

When I first left home and became independent I was 17 years old and just left care.I felt a mixture of scared and anxious but I had also felt happy,exited and grown up.

I felt anxious because this is a new beginning for me.A new beginning is a good thing it gives you a free chance to start a fresh plate like a blank canvas sat waiting for whatever beautiful creation the canvas gets made into. 

I felt scared because I’ve never been on my own before.I went from having lots of support around me monitoring everything I do to being independent and taking on responsibilities of my own.I still had some really good support around me and I still do it’s just I have never had this sort of responsibility and it can be a daunting thing but you will just naturally tend to ease into it.There is support out there that can help if you are struggling.These feelings is all a part of the natural process of living and learning .

The positive’s really do outweigh the negatives.

I felt happy because I have my own place and I could decorate it however I wanted without anyone telling me what I can and can’t have,it was entirely up to me. It gave me chance to get my creativity on and show my potential in making a completely undecorated and unfurnished house into a decorated and furnished work of my own to make it into a home.

I felt excited because like I say it is a fresh start and blank slates are a beautiful thing because you can start from the beginning and then the rest is whatever you make it.

I felt grown up because I had moved a step up in life..This made me feel proud because I took my first big step in life,which is the beginning of adulthood.I felt like it motivated me to keep moving onward and upwards in my life by setting goals and achieving them.I still am currently setting and trying to achieve each one I set. 

Now I will give you my tip on starting a fresh slate and setting goals.Set goals these can be big goals,but it always better to start small,take small steps because it’s important to take your time rather than rush into things.Making and achieving these smaller steps make the bigger steps more fun in my eyes.Everyone has there own easier way of setting and achieving their goals,this advice may help with some people and some people find another way easier.My point is don’t rush and do things at your own pace do whatever makes you comfortable.

Goals you could set:

*Educational/work-The goal that I set was to enrol and complete a training course.Once I have done that my next step is to update my CV and search for a job.Then my third step is to successfully get an interview and get my desired job.

*Exercise-The goal I set for Exercise is to go to the gym for 1 hour a day.I put in my notes a workout routine that suits me focusing on my lower body,upper body and cardio,there are lots of videos out there that can help you come up with a routine that fits you .I added and tweaked my routine as I achieve each goal.I do this to get my desired body and for my own health and wellness.

*Health-This goal was mainly about learning to have a more healthy diet and to cut out bad habits to help achieve my exercise goals and to also ensure I make my life as healthy as possible.Being healthy can also help with mental health and makes you feel more happy in yourself.

Wellness-My wellness being goal helped me the most with my mental health.My goal is to stay in the routine of every night before I go to sleep I listen to audiobooks on affirmations,dealing with anxiety,meditation and mental images that really seemed to calm me down.

Another goal for my wellness is that every week I do my own pamper night where I give myself a manicure and a pedicure,I also do face,foot,hand,lip and eye masks and take a long nice hot bubble bath with candles and I listen to music.This really does make me feel better in myself and I look forward to that night every week.

These goals did really help me.Everyone is different everyone deals with things in a different way so this may help some people and then others have their own way of dealing with their experience and that is completely fine!.I just hope this helps some of you that experience this:).

Helplines:

*Childline-0800 1111 

*Samaritans-116 123

*Anxiety help for adults & Kids-0121 314 3456

*NHS 111 -111

*SHOUT-85258 

*Citizens advice-+44 1384 242929