Love Across Oceans

The Realities of Living Far from Home

The first time I took the plunge into living abroad, it was more of a ‘trial run’ than a life overhaul. In 2012 I headed to Austria, not too far from home, for a few winter seasons, working as a waitress in a charming ski town in Tirol, surrounded by breathtaking slopes and postcard-perfect snow-capped peaks. Every day felt like a scene from a winter wonderland movie. Plus, the pay was great, and I was saving up for my first apartment, so I felt like a grown-up without fully detaching from home.

For four years, I spent 4-5 months each winter in Austria, just enough time to fall in love with the mountains and then return to family, full of stories and slightly frostbitten toes. It was a perfect setup—a little bit of “abroad” without the ache of true separation.

Then came Dubai. At 29, I took the leap and moved to the desert to become a flight attendant with Emirates Airlines. Now, this was living abroad on another level—new country, new culture, and a much bigger distance from home. Luckily, there were perks. With discounted flights and the occasional 24-hour layover in Budapest, I had the luxury of hopping back frequently to recharge on family and friend time. I’d breeze in, make my rounds, and be back in Dubai with stories and souvenirs.

And now, here I am—living in Florida. Yes, that’s right. Florida, USA. The sunshine state, an ocean away from home, and sadly lacking in the mountains and snow department. I usually visit home once a year. There’s no direct flight, so I usually end up with a London layover. I recently discovered Norse Atlantic Airways—think of it as Spirit Airlines, or WizzAir, but for long-haul flights to Europe, complete with “pack light” warnings and wallet-friendly prices. It’s an experience worth its own blog post, trust me.

But let’s get serious here. Beyond the logistics, let’s talk about the mental and emotional side of being so far from home. Living abroad sounds glamorous, but the reality is… well, complicated. Because while the excitement of new places is real, so is the weight of the distance. Here are the real struggles, mixed with a bit of my usual sarcasm, of living oceans away from the people who make life feel whole.

The Missed Moments

Birthdays, Christmas, family gatherings—yep, I miss them. And it’s more than just missing the cake (although, yes, I miss the cake too. My mom bakes better than anyone in this whole world). It’s about the big life events that roll around each year and the little everyday moments that make you feel close to people. Watching my friends and family celebrate from afar can make me feel like I’m living in a parallel universe. Watching my niece and nephew grow up way too fast—that’s one of the hardest parts.

Social media helps, but let’s be honest, a FaceTime call during a family dinner isn’t quite the same as actually being there.

The Guilt Factor

Here’s a fun addition to long-distance life: guilt. Yes, good old-fashioned guilt. It sneaks in at the most inconvenient times—when I see photos of my friends out together, when my family celebrates something without me, or when I hear about a tough time that I couldn’t be there to help with. There’s always this voice that whispers, “You should be there.” (And yes, that voice has quite the dramatic flair.)

Finding Support—Finally

I’m incredibly lucky now. I found someone here in Florida who is truly my rock. He’s the person I can count on without question, through the good, the bad, and the weirdly unpredictable. But before him? I spent years pretty much alone. Just me, my thoughts, and the occasional overly friendly houseplant. There were days, weeks, even months where the loneliness was overwhelming. It was mentally exhausting, and I had to work hard—really hard—to pull myself out of that mental fog and find ways to keep going.

When You’re Thinking About Living Far from Home…

So, if you’re considering living abroad, know this: there’s so much beauty in discovering new places and meeting new people. But there’s also a price to pay, and I’m not just talking about airfare. The distance isn’t just physical—it’s emotional, too. You’re missing the day-to-day moments, the laughter, the hard conversations, and yes, even the random “I just need to vent” talks that happen naturally when you’re close to loved ones.

Living abroad sounds exciting, and it is—until the novelty wears off, and you find yourself truly alone. There’s a certain weight that comes with being far from everyone who knows you best. At first, you’re busy exploring, distracted by the thrill of new places, new faces, new everything. But then come the quiet moments—the long evenings when it’s just you and your thoughts. There’s no friend nearby to call over for a quick chat, no family member to pop in for a coffee. It’s just you, grappling with the silence, trying to fill it with whatever you can: books, calls, solo outings. It can be mentally exhausting, this constant need to keep yourself company. But through that struggle, I grew in ways I couldn’t have imagined. I learned to rely on myself, to find comfort in solitude, and to embrace my own company. It’s in those quiet, sometimes lonely moments that I found my resilience, piecing together the strength to keep moving forward and, ultimately, becoming someone I’m proud to be.

And here’s the thing—I wouldn’t change any of it. Because every time I miss someone, every moment of loneliness, it reminds me of the strength it took to get here. It’s not easy, but it’s worth it. And for every tough day, there’s an adventure, a lesson, or a memory that makes the journey so much richer.

And to all the loved ones who are only a flight away: I miss you, and I’ll see you soon… eventually. ✈️💕