I think that, yes, part of it is jet lag, another part is reverse culture shock, and part...something I don't know how to describe. It's the sensation of coming "home" when you've made a home and a life elsewhere. It's the sudden calm and drop in adrenalin when you're no longer living a life on the go, when you've arrived somewhere "safe" and don't have purpose anymore. It's the experience soldiers have when they return from war and everything back home is "normal", unaffected by the things which have profoundly changed them as people. It's the sensation of the things around you being "the same and yet different", the unconscious understanding that you are separated from familiar surroundings by time and experiences. This is perfectly normal, and as long as you don't wallow in it it's a phase that will pass with time; it will take several weeks, and you might not complete it this time before heading back to China, but at least you'll know what to expect and prepare for on your return.
Yes, yes, and absolutely oh man. What you have just describes here hits all the points. It's the whole "can't go home again" thing, and I had ideas while I was in China that it might happen, but actually having it happen - yeah. This among many reasons is why I want a job that allows me to go back and forth - I don't want to be stuck on one continent not belonging in it.
And nope, I don't intend to wallow. I do, however, want to think/talk/write it out. See email for possibly more info, although it's a bit on a different subject.
In which Gen is a week late and where where WHERE have my subject lines gone?
Anyway...I felt the same exact way when I came back from Sweden after four months, so being gone for a year must be like what I felt times three. And Sweden probably isn't as different from the US as China is so oh man. Yeah, reverse culture shock! That's fun! You forgot that you're supposed to say "excuse me" when you're going through a crowd instead of just bumping into/tripping over people, and that there exists a place where all the signs are in a language you can understand without even thinking! And then there's the fact that you've been on this grand adventure and then you come home and everything is exactly the same and it's surreal, isn't it?
Welcome home and I hope the last week has been better for you. And merry Christmas! :D
(And also, watching Return of the King and the part where the hobbits come back to the Shire becomes 100% more relatable. Not that we saved Middle Earth or anything, but still.)
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In other news: WELCOME BACK! :D
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And nope, I don't intend to wallow. I do, however, want to think/talk/write it out. See email for possibly more info, although it's a bit on a different subject.
:D thank you!
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Anyway...I felt the same exact way when I came back from Sweden after four months, so being gone for a year must be like what I felt times three. And Sweden probably isn't as different from the US as China is so oh man. Yeah, reverse culture shock! That's fun! You forgot that you're supposed to say "excuse me" when you're going through a crowd instead of just bumping into/tripping over people, and that there exists a place where all the signs are in a language you can understand without even thinking! And then there's the fact that you've been on this grand adventure and then you come home and everything is exactly the same and it's surreal, isn't it?
Welcome home and I hope the last week has been better for you. And merry Christmas! :D
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