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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Lifestyle
Eleanor Gordon-Smith

Some days I am so homesick it hurts. What should I do?

Painting: Young Lady in a Boat by James Tissot (1870).
‘Whatever you do together, don’t let it just be days of not deciding,’ writes Eleanor Gordon-Smith. Painting: Young Lady in a Boat by James Tissot (1870). Illustration: Artepics/Alamy

After living overseas for many years, suffering a severe illness and nearly dying, I am desperate to return home to be nearer my family and friends. However, I have a good life where I am living with my husband (we don’t have children): we both have good jobs (I managed to change profession after my illness and landed a really good new role), and a lovely house in a good area.

I feel quite lonely here because despite my husband and colleagues I have few friends. I also keep getting sick as my immune system has been damaged and I have a couple of autoimmune issues. I’m desperate to go home and imagine an idyllic life living in a beautiful little house seeing my family and friends. Ideally not having to work much but spending more time with my parents in their retirement years.

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