watching this while studying abroad in Europe... loneliness made me stronger and to love myself more, but sometimes it feels like a very heavy and "acid" feeling in my body... I have also learned a lot about human nature, I feel kinda cynical and disappointed by people now... Its so hard to find good company or just kind empathetic people in general

Been living in Tokyo for the past 4 months and feel incredibly homesick. I feel as though if I pack my bags and go home, I’ll feel like a failure and regret it.

Loneliness abroad teaches me that no one will ever care about me again like people with the same background.

I feel lonely most of the times since I landed in Australia, its been 4 years now going on to 5. I dont even know where’s home anymore, I feel like I dont belong in my home country either. I dont know.. I miss the feel of feeling connected with my community, family and close friends. I dont regret it though went abroad and get out of my comfort zone but I still feel dont belong here no matter how much I try to fit in with the local community

Hi Dave my son is 28 years old and lives in Tokyo going on two years and you just described how he is feeling at this moment!

I went back to what used to be my home, and to my huge surprise my sister ostracised me, and the rest of the family did nothing about it. I gave her a chance for 5 more travels and it even got worse up till the point that last time I went back home I asked myself why was I even putting myself in that position again, no matter what part of the planet I was. Ironically having gone to see my family made me feel even more lonely. I expected an incredible reunion after having lived abroad to only find my own family treating me as a ghost, this time not abroad but where I felt in my heart was my home. At least I am grateful that maybe for some reason I left that place.

Everything about this video is so touching: the nature of this park, the voice, the colors, the music. I'm going to go abroad soon for an unknown period of time, and when I think that I have no idea when I'm going to see the people dear to my heart, it makes me cry.

I live in Italy. Been here 3 years. It’s wonderful and I have some nice friends, but I miss my family every day. It’s like a gnawing in the pit of my stomach. I’ve got to go home.

Connection seems to be such an important aspect of being human. Eastern and Western cultures are so different and that can make it hard to connect. Friends and family back home are usually asleep when we are awake and not at work, so FaceTiming with them can be difficult. But through loneliness we do learn to appreciate what is really important to us. It challenges us to discover who we truly are when all the distractions and things we took for granted are removed. It gives us space to create ourselves anew informed with this knowledge, and hopefully have a more fulfilling life. Love your videos and your journey! Thank you.

I have moved to the U.S. for almost two years and miss my family dearly. I tried to suppress my feeling and telling myself I'm ok. But in reality, it hits hard. I call my family and friends but it's not the same. I miss having meals with them or hang out. It's lonely and nostalgic thinking of old memories with them. Glad I found this video. I know I'm not alone.

The loneliest feeling abroad is being around people who do not speak my native language and I don't understand theirs. It's awkward and uncomfortable especially when I'm around my husband's friends and family

Panta Rei, everything changes. Recently my dearest friend (a Japanese, at that), one of the persons I love the most whom is thousand of miles away and I have not seen in almost a year, wrote me in a letter that I am one of her sources of happiness. As she is for me. Knowing that your presence on the planet has a positive impact on a person is one of the most rewarding and beautiful thing a human being can hope and work for.

I'm 40 years old and I have lived abroad since age 18 into 3 different countries so I have been able to be fluent in English, French and Hebrew, which has been my goal. I grew up speaking Spanish. Loneliness and foreigness has always been present, but in some places more than in others, including in my home country.

When I talk to my family over Facetime, it makes me miss them even more and I become sad and miserable afterwards. Not talking to them is better for me, like I trick my brain that they don’t exist and only are memories. Am I the only one? Even though I try to talk to them every Sunday, cause they do exist and I need to catch up. I’m just so close with my family and had to leave the country to be with my foreign partner who lives in the farthest country to my home country 😅

For the past 20 years I've resided in the United States, far removed from my home land. Now, I find myself feeling like a stranger in the USA, and upon returning to visit my homeland, it's as if I've entered yet another foreign territory. I'm caught in a limbo between two countries, endlessly searching for a place to call home. I suppose it's a new identity I must come to terms with-a product of modern life.

I have lived in the US, Europe, South East Asia, and Japan, and I know many expats, including myself, have felt the same way. Foreigners are always foreigners no matter how long they have lived in another country, and they have to live with it.

That video had an impeccable timing. Just yesterday when I was having dinner with one of my only friends in Seoul I truly felt the same. I need to go out more and meet more people. And I actually have the opportunity but because of the current Corona virus many people don't even go out anymore - only for work if they have to. And it's a horrible timing for me because I'm craving social interactions especially right now and this isolation is very contra productive. I also think it is always so difficult to meet people and make new friends and especially when you're abroad, because in Asian countries particularly it is not common to just start a conversation with a stranger.

What a beautiful video and a beautiful message. This topic is so important. It’s something that isn’t discussed enough among expats. I’m abroad and I didn’t think I would make it through my first six weeks. I almost felt like I was out of my body and it wasn’t pleasant. I was depressed, confused, scared and out of sorts. Moving abroad causes emotions that you have never felt before and you don’t know how to deal with them at all. It’s very difficult in the beginning, yet you feel ashamed that you feel that way because it’s all supposed to be so great. Your message is important because the richness of experiences with those you love does get deeper and so do a lot of other things - like learning real gratitude. It’s not an easy experience but now, I have never felt so in touch with life and myself ever. But it’s a journey to get there. However, it does happen. Thanks for this video. I believe it will really help those struggling.

Nicely said. Beautiful cinematography. And your walking backwards skills at the beginning! Mind blowing.

What a courageous man ! To be vulnerable in front of everyone is not easy. Thanks.

I live in the Netherlands for almost 5 years, and the look of some people eyes just cause ur not one of them, is just painful 😢 Most dutch people are nice but not all of em

I can hear the pain in your voice, Dave. I’m sorry you’re struggling. I personally don’t experience loneliness or missing others quite like this. I’ve fully embraced the wherever I go, there I am approach. A year and a half ago, a close friend moved from the Los Angeles area (where I am) to Seattle, and I do miss him. But it’s because I love him, and through embracing the love of my friend, it’s not a painful loss.

DaveTrippin Really insightful video. I've never lived away for more than a month so cannot claim to understand the loneliness of long distance separation. However, one can be lonely in a crowd in your home town. I applaud your sense of adventure and your willingness to strike out for new places despite knowing that you will be pushed out of your comfort zone. You do look tired though and that makes everything more intense. Look after yourself dude and keep making the videos. 👍

Sitting here, alone, in a cafe in Bangkok, counting the days until I return home. You can find anything on KZfaq...

I always felt, for me at least, that having something like Skype helps deal with homesickness. Being able to see my family is doing well is enough for me. What makes it lonely in Japan is when you don't have people to talk to, to confide in like you would with your family. I haven't really had such an issue yet, but I am sure when it comes I will look back at this video for inspiration.

I’m feeling the new intro Dave. Keep grinding bro!!!

I’ve been alone for nearly 3 years and still feel guilty for every word that I’ve ever said about my parents… growing up with them was the time that I’ve ever felt more love of all - I miss them every single day!! 🥰 Can’t wait for Christmas to pay a visit ❤️❤️❤️ by the way, thank you for your video. You all of all KZfaq have made me feel actual peace about missing them. It’s okay- I really appreciate having come across this video 👍🏼 Best of luck 😊

Moved to Singapore to study. Feel really anxious and homesick lately. It’s really hard to even breathe sometimes. There’s nobody i know here but hopefully it will get better soon.

interesting musings set against a poetic backdrop of the ephemeral blooms. The metaphor being that things are impermanent, they do change, change is natural and the world moves in cycles. If we feel lonely it won't last forever, it's a period that will likely shape values for the future as distance makes the heart grow fonder - as they say. Btw - is this Yoyogi? That is a great park.

Thank you ❤️ I’m feeling real homesickness for the first time in my life right now , and it’s almost as if I don’t have energy to do anything ….but videos like this remind me that I’m not the only one , I’m not alone

Really nice, meaningful video. The music complements the topic really well, too. Keep it up, Dave.

I've been living in Italy for a year now and while I'm watching this I'm planning to go back and visit my family for Christmas. I tried when you talked about the reunion. Thanks for this video!

Excellent message. Thanks

I found your words particularly soothing Dave. I’m in Okinawa for a year working, and even though I travel frequently and have lived in Europe, being here feels like planets away from my family in Mass. My kids are in their 20’s and live healthy lives, but I worry all the time that there will be a crisis or emergency. To your point, this is an exercise in letting go and it is honestly very hard. Thanks for the reframe.

I love your one on one format

Currently i am living in Japan and i was following you before going to Japan i can't remember maybe two years now, i sent you an email and you replied and you helped me. I would like to thank you and also to say that your channel is amazing and really informative. Keep it up.

Absolutely beautiful video, thank you for your thoughts.

I appreciate your words and thanx for making the video. I came onto youtube tooking for some kind of comradery in my loneliness abroad, except for my case is probably very rare. Not only am I living abroad, but also with mental illness. (long history ahead, just don't read further if not interested) I grew up in a dysfunctional family of 6; mom & dad with four kids, me being the 3rd. First two children were 1.5 years apart, 4 years later I came, then 6 years later my younger brother came. Stuck in the middle I was. I grew up not able to feel any attachment to any human at all (I never felt attached to anyone in my family), and as I grew older this dis-attachment from the human race only continued. I live abroad and I do not miss anyone or anything. And it seems that where ever I go, I'm always thinking to be somewhere else and I can't explain why. I have never seen a doctor so ...... never had enough money to see a doctor. People who are able to see doctors are so privileged. I never could stay with a job very long and people shy away from me because of my Tourette's. Plus I think I have symptoms of ADHD, COD, anxiety/depression and away we go.... I feel that I run the gamut of illnesses. So I came to my current country. Since I cannot seem to hold a job very long I simply don't work. I inherited a little money from my dad so I live in about the cheapest country you can think of without having to work. Married a local and now going through a divorce. I am rooming with a 20 year friend of mine who is from the country I live in, but friendships are one thing when only friends and a completely different thing when you live with them. My only friend in the whole world has proved herself to be intolerable so now I must escape. And since I have not been able to learn the language and now I must set off on my own, I must learn to live alone in this place. I cannot afford to return to my native country because it is simply too expensive and now that I have aged and not even able to hold down a decent job, I have decided to remain here no matter what happens. But now I face an even lonelier road because I have to leave my current residence. I will have to start all over with NO friends in a country where I cannot communicate effectively. The thought of this is so frightening but I must think clearly and know that nobody is out to kill me and the locals are so friendly, that surely, if I am able to venture out of my residence (in my new place) that surely ..... (surely someone will be friend material. I sure hope so. Otherwise all hope will be gone. I would love to purchase a property so that I could have a dog because I can relate to dogs. But until my divorce is final I must think about a small, lonely apartment. This could drag out for years.....wish me luck. Thanks in advance. And thanx for reading if you got this far. Good luck to all who are living abroad and feeling blue. ❤‍🩹 EDIT: I've been in my current country for just under 10 years. (if you are here to judge me, please pass on by without commenting; I have enough on my plate)

Thanks man this was great

I fucking love you Dave, your timing with this video was absolutely perfect. Thank you.

This is important and very useful for anyone living abroad to hear!

You spoke my heart out.. 😢

This was real sad boy hours. I could tel it was really hard for him to record that last bit. :(

Thank you for posting... I'm going through this in Colombia But I realize I carry a certain nostalgia and sadness everywhere I go...I like that you said the rhetorical questions Why are you feeling this way? What are you going to do about it? Those are the questions I need to finally focus on in my mid 30s...

These are your very best type of videos. Just became a patron :)

Hey Dave, I really liked your video. I'm making sure that this one will be part of my MASK (Moving Abroad Survival Kit). Thanks so much!

Love your videos man.

I'm currently living in Changchun, Jilin in the northeast of China and look very forward to my contract ending on November 5, if I even make it that long. If I do, I'll be more surprsied than anyone! Going back to Australian in early November, everyone will be getting ready for Christmas ... and hopefully all of this 'social distancting' and 'self-isolating' is long behind us. Only time will tell.

Japan can be a very lonely place...because of the huge language / culture gap ... I felt like such an outsider all the time ...It was amazing and interesting ...but its so difficult to find true connections there ...im glad i experienced it .. but i wouldn't go back .

I left home 11 months ago to study abroad in Europe and I miss home a lot but seeing this video and the comment section was very helpful, I understood that it's okay and normal to feel lonely and miss people back home and I'm not the only one going through that Thank you

thoughtful vid .. I have grown weary of all the feelings, emotions and desires that plague my consciousness .. the detached mindful calm ripples evening's waters

Nice intro 👍👍

I love you for this video.

Very true about the distance making the fondness grow. I think a lot of us might love our families more when we have some distance from them lmao, fantastic video!

This will be a another great chapter in one of your novels dave. 😊

Thank you sir

Touched ❤

I lived in Nagoya for 5 years. I didn’t go home to the US once until finally returning for a family reunion in Cancun, Mexico. Arriving back in Nagoya, standing in line at customs, I had a distinct feeling that I no longer wanted to be in Japan. What happened? I had pushed my longing for family back into the recesses of my mind. When I saw them after so long, all of the emotions came flooding back to the forefront of my mind. My girlfriend (now my wife) recognized my funk, and told me to go traveling in Japan. That got me out of my rut, and back to my old adventurous self. I still remember this lesson almost twenty years after the fact.

3.5 months since I moved to the USA. It's been a difficult process, but I know that it's for the better. Stay strong!

This hits hard on me. A LOT. I often cry everytime i arrive home from work. I’m in Canada from the Philippines…hard to make deep relationships.

That's very interesting. I ran into this issue not while living abroad.. but when I returned. The 4 or so years I was there I was ok. But when I came back I left the social circle I built in the other country and I had no circle to return to. Friends I thought I had turned out to be useless when it wasn't convenient anymore. There was a fresh breakup as well. Sure, I had family. But I still felt miserable. Working from home is a big issue, it isolates you.

New possible subscriber here and the second video of you I've watched in a row (first was about the beautiful Asian Tinder date). This is great content. Well done!

I’m living in China atm, only foreigner in my college and damn it’s so fucking hard. Most of the times I see people having fun or just having normal conversations I kind of feel deprived of my young age ofc I can’t rationalize on the language barrier that’s creating a roadblock between me and other people but if you were a freshman with so much academic pressure you’d understand...

i admire your strength in moving and living in a foreign country....i want to make the leap but something is tethering me still....dont know what...

I live abroad for 3 years. Mainly I came to study but after I finished I don't know what to do. I don't have any friends anymore. I work remotely so it's hard for me to meet other people. And the problem with the language which is terribly difficult for me which adds a thick wall between me and socializing. More and more I think about going back but I'm afraid I'll make the wrong move. Your video gives me somekind of peace. But I still can't make a decision.

Im in AU for almost 3 yrs now. Still studying hospitality and cookery and work in the kitchen industry. Due to pressure and stress, I feel burnout that made me hate my job right now. I dont know if I will continue or go home. I really wanted to go home and settle there get a degree (different career) but maybe Ill regret the opportunities i had abroad in a long run but every decisions has regrets right? 😔

That happens with my parents' dog. Being away for a few years makes for an awesome reunion. Doesn't really work with my parents though lol ^^.

Honduras 3 months now,

I had a big home sick in Japan although I am Japanese when I moved to a so rural prefecture where you cannot go home to Tokyo easily. The biggest reason of my homesick was that I felt like losing opportunities in my life in the rural place and the local live in a very different culture from mine. I was desperate to feel connected to anything and anybody urban in those days.

This will help many. Shame it doesn't more views. I think many people prefer to be entertained than to examine and learn.

Dave taps into the deeps, and finds the feels.

I struggle living abroad with just this inability it feels for me to hang on to my "previous life" in the US when I'm away. It feels so separate from the life I'm living now. I wish I could hang on to or connect to it more😐

I'm currently living in South korea for study. And these days I'm not feeling myself anymore. I feel lonely, disappointed, regretful and heartbroken. I miss my home, my family specially my Mom. And I can't even go back and start things over for many reasons, which I can't control. I feel like I need someone who can solve pr ease my pressure. Due to language barrier, I can't even go a day in peace. It's becoming so dark around me. I'm surrounded by good people here but somethings keep getting worse and worse.....💔

I had a breakup with my ex for coming to Italy 2 years ago... is so true, I missed the good moments everytime that I feel lonely or have such a bad day. Hope someday I can feel that coming here was a good move...

Saved this

Moved to Sydney from london a month ago, I hate it so much and was planning to stay a year- will probably book my plane ticket to come back in January

Very wise and helpful words! Thank you very much. Did you take any knowledge from Podcasts or books or whatever to get to this point and make a video about it, or is it sth. you completely realized by yourself?

I am From South-East Asia and I have been living for a half month for my master in Europe, and I am leaving my wife and wonderful 2.5-year-old son. It is very hard to leave them while I am studying, I tried to call them almost every day but my tears break after ending the call. Then I found your video is very related to my situation. I just accept this lonely feeling because I just truly arrived and need time for getting used to it.

You deserve more views.

My issue is even though I am in another country I don't miss my family and friend's, because every friend that I loved has died. Coupled with the fact my brother died and I can't even damn call him on the phone is hurting me much. I look at my friend that I am staying at with her fiance and I wish I could have that too, because I so wish I could have someone to lean on. Right now I have only myself and while that is very freeing, liberating I wake up alone and lay down to sleep alone. That is what guts me. I even found that I miss fiance friend whom I didn't speak much, if it all and that just brings a whole set of another emotions. Loneliness is hard. Then again I chose this and I have to accept it.

It’s a life changing experience 😔

Feeling introspective

i'm leaving Madrid, where I've lived most of my life. My family left nine years ago. My friends have become my family here, the idea of leaving them and our relationship behind, breaks my heart. This video helped calming me, thank you.

I’ve been living in Korea for almost two years and have been missing the UK so much, and how my life was back then. I had a good routine going but this past winter just swung at me (somewhat depressive). I think I should go back despite liking aspects of my life here.

I was married to a Japanese lady for 19 years, recently divorced and currently live outside Japan. I have two teenage sons in Japan. Miss them so much and plan to return to Japan. The only reason to return is to be closer to them.

This must be especially difficult now with the pandemic

He hasn't even left, he's just my best friend

been living abroad for a few years, even went through the Pandemic alone abroad, now i don't even know what home is. everything feels foreign

Ive been living in Spain for 5 years , was only going to stay here for 2 but with the pandémic and then meeting a now ex boyfriend i stayed. Im full of regret and so lonely but due to move back to UK in march this year. I keep looking people that have familys now and married and feel regret and left behind. People i met here have moved on its sad x

After coming to Canada i decided to chose an offer from a professor to work in research. Now that i am graduating he withdrew all support promised for future opportunities and i feel dejected. It has brought a sense that people dont like me . I hate myself for not being more likeable. I cant talk to people anymore . I broke all friendships to focus on research. And now thats not even giving me the returns. It might come later but for now i have a feeling of worthlessness.

Dave should I come back to japan next month for my job? I’m really have second thoughts now with the virus and all

Just shifted to Dubai and i am homesick . I miss my friends 😭. I wanna go back

art

My biggest worry is if they died and I didn’t get to spend more time with them

We are all in this together im personally really sad because i moved to germany but that changed in the couple of days as i got more familiar with germany and its lifestyle. IF YOU FEEL DEPPRESSED LIKE I WAS TRY DOING THESE THINGS 1)WORK OUT EVEN IF YOU DONT NEED TOO💪 2)PLAY VIDEOGAMES IF YOU CAN🎮 3)USE SOCIAL MEDIA A LOT📱 4)WATCH THE NEWS📰 5)LISTEN TO MUSIC 🎶 I USUALLY LOVE LISTENING TO JAZZ AND RAP. 6) INCREASE YOUR KNOWLEDGE ABOUT YOUR RELIGION (THE BEST WAY IS TO READ THE BIBLE,QURAN ETC.. ALSO PRAY 2 TIMES A DAY )🤲 ‼️‼️IF YOU EVER FEEL DEPRESSED DONT TRY TO MAKE A PERMANENT DECISION FOR A TEMPORARY FEELING‼️‼️

I'm about to move to Germany and I'm already having anxiety

💚

👍🏻

I dunno man.. in my case I don't miss them at all ......infact almost to the point I don't know them anymore, because I rebuilt my roots here....then again coming to Japan @19 and never visited home in 20 years can play a role in it I suppose. 😉

I know it would be hard for you Dave and the other gaiijin's living in Japan. Just remember home is just a flight away 👍