View Full Version : Is the grass always greener?
As most of you will know, I've been in the USA for the last 5 days. I had such a brilliant time and TBH I didn't want to come back. And now I am back I feel completely miserable. Hard to describe but I feel flat, no motivation, can't be bothered to do anything. I keep thinking about what it would be like to live someplace else. I'm sure that everywhere has its problems though.
What do people think? Is it a sign of a good holiday and time to stop daydreaming and being stupid, do you feel like this when you've had a great time and back to work time makes you want to run in the opposite direction? Just wondering if it's me.
kwak zzr
31-10-07, 10:17 AM
come and live by me Ed for a week then go back to shrewsbury and you'll be happy again.:)
Filipe M.
31-10-07, 10:18 AM
It's sunny and warm around here! ;)
the white rabbit
31-10-07, 10:19 AM
To be honest I do think in certain places in the US life is rather nice. Of course like everywhere in other places it is not.
I had the chance to move to Madison Wisconsin once. I often wish I had done so, just for a 'different' life.
Warthog
31-10-07, 10:21 AM
You need longer than 5 days in a different place to get used to it, everywhere seems more fun for 5 days. After 2 years in a different place you might well be longing to come "home" to England. I just am happy to live in Oxford and try to travel on holidays as much as possible.
It's a classic case of home sickness: you're sick of your home country!
Basically, when you were away you probably did fun stuff, everything was new and exciting and you weren't in a routine. You've come back and are probably feeling like you are a bit stagnant. Doctor Bear prescribes a new hobby. Have you considered trying to train cobblestones to fly?
gettin2dizzy
31-10-07, 10:22 AM
Yes, but it still needs cutting!
Having lived in Oz briefly, I'm going back. This country sucks bums. I doubt once I set my foot down abroad I'd ever want to see England again.
Goong on holiday somewhere, seeing the sites and relaxing/enjoying yourself whilst there is an entirely different situation and feeling to going to the same place and working all day.
I keep thinking of going to work in nigeria or UAE. But then after speaking with friends not even the mega money on offer makes it worth it.
BoltonSte
31-10-07, 10:26 AM
Problem is you enjoy yourself much more for a short period.
I went over for three years on secondment and because we knew we would be back made the most of it.
Although I do prefer to be back here, I am getting the itch to move on after only 14 months back. I think the only way you can decide if you want to live somewhere is stay long enough so that it is no longer a holiday, and try to get there in several seasons.
I could not comprehend how difficult summers would be (90+F and 90% humidity).
Everyones different, now, I wouldn't have an issue seeing somewhere I like, doing research and moving. But typically I would say the above is possibly the best approach. Make sure you have a job, it keeps you focussed and makes it a hell of a lot easier. All the ex-pat wives I met were struggling as they weren't working while the husbands thought it was great as they had their routine set.
Enough of my ramblings....drop me a PM if you want to know more.
Ste
Yes,
Having lived in Oz briefly, I'm going back. .
can i come?
this country does pi$$ me off at times....... weather, tax, low pay etc etc
but i know i will never do anything about it, (i think)
the white rabbit
31-10-07, 10:45 AM
can i come?
Your the reason many of us would like to leave ;)
But there's lots of things I like about this country too. Other places have different but also annoying crap to deal with, odd rules and regs and intrusions on freedom even if you live out in the desert. Mad working environment in the US in some job sectors too.
I think when I woudl leave would be when I didnt need to work and could mainly play (i.e. never!).
gettin2dizzy
31-10-07, 10:46 AM
can i come?
this country does pi$$ me off at times....... weather, tax, low pay etc etc
but i know i will never do anything about it, (i think)
I'll be gone within 5 years I hope. I don't know what England offers now that keeps us here.
kwak zzr
31-10-07, 11:01 AM
i always find 2 weeks is enuf for a holiday then i want to get back home, dont know why i'm just happy at home.
gettin2dizzy
31-10-07, 11:21 AM
Take some autosol with you then :)
Think how shiny you could make things look in the bright sunshine!
Pedrosa
31-10-07, 11:39 AM
It is very natural to feel down in the dumps when returning home from a holiday. Even more so if the holiday destination is one that you are genuinely considering as a home for the future.
My thought on this subject is quite simple really, wherever you go the more time you spend there you begin to spot the warts and problems and how it works differently to what you are used to. This can infuriate unless you are prepared to change "your chip". Forget what went on back in the UK, you no longer live there and apart from exasperating comparison,it serves no positive purpose.
Utopia I doubt really exists and all one can hope to achieve is to find a better quality of life. That is the key issue. Forget about tax free havens blah,blah.HTH.
Flamin_Squirrel
31-10-07, 01:51 PM
Hard to describe but I feel flat, no motivation, can't be bothered to do anything.
That's the jet lag talking ;)
But in all seriousness, my girlfriend is American and there are lots of problems there too. Just because they're not always the same problems we have here or because you don't notice doesn't mean they don't exist.
Filipe M.
31-10-07, 01:56 PM
Just because they're not always the same problems we have here or because you don't notice doesn't mean they don't exist.
What he said. But the weather around here is still better! :D Sorry, not helping much...
Thanks peeps. I know that everywhere has its problems, nowhere 's perfect (save for Portugal;)). Wish I could feel more motivated. Give you an example, so far I haven't even bothered to open the garage to inspect the bike. I'm still 'California Dreamin'' so to speak. But I've slayed the dragon of coming back to work and I daresay that as the week goes by I'll feel more settled. Anyway I'm about to book another holiday to keep me focused:D
gettin2dizzy
31-10-07, 02:31 PM
I know what you mean, my moods entirely controlled by the weather. It would be nice to be able to look outside and have the option of getting away from things. Around here it's just miserabe looking out of the window.
Filipe M.
31-10-07, 02:35 PM
I know what you mean, my moods entirely controlled by the weather. It would be nice to be able to look outside and have the option of getting away from things. Around here it's just miserabe looking out of the window.
I'd better not post a pic then... :smt077
:D Right, who's up for a road trip to Portugal to give Filipe the kicking he so richly deserves? :smt077
gettin2dizzy
31-10-07, 02:58 PM
AR08 - to Portugal
I'm in!
Two good friends of ours moved to California last year, to Santa Clarita in L.A county and live on a ranch house in a secluded canyon, he works for Disney as an animitronics speciallist and can get me over there and into a job, are we going ? no cos the wife wont leave the UK.....I am so happy.....
gettin2dizzy
31-10-07, 03:28 PM
Two good friends of ours moved to California last year, to Santa Clarita in L.A county and live on a ranch house in a secluded canyon, he works for Disney as an animitronics speciallist and can get me over there and into a job, are we going ? no cos the wife wont leave the UK.....I am so happy.....
He enjoying it?
Bunch of cowboys over there! I'd love a ranch 8-[
He enjoying it?
Bunch of cowboys over there! I'd love a ranch 8-[
Yep, speaking to his missus yesterday on MSN and she was saying how at night the coyotes can be heard howling in the hills behind there place, he,s a texan so going back to the U.S was always on the cards for him, he,s a good mate as well and he,s kinda living the dream really. He,s got the truck, he,s got the hunting over his back yard fence and he,s earning serious money working for Disney. Lifes good
Pedrosa
31-10-07, 03:40 PM
The persuading of the ladies is always a massive problem believe me! It took me 10 years to persuade mine that we should move to Spain.....and she is Spanish herself!:p
She does though admit we should have done it when I first mentioned it.
The persuading of the ladies is always a massive problem believe me! It took me 10 years to persuade mine that we should move to Spain.....and she is Spanish herself!:p
She does though admit we should have done it when I first mentioned it.
Can she have a word with mine please ? ;)
gettin2dizzy
31-10-07, 03:41 PM
Lucky him. Friends I know who live over there spent their teenage years driving out to the countryside in huge trucks then bombing around on dirtbikes. They weren't loaded either, just had a different type of life over there. There is space to do what you want without people jumping up and down wanting to ban this that and the other.
Tbh Im too old to go now but I wish we could have gone about 10 yrs a go that would have been cool, but then I wouldnt have got involved with you lot so swings and roundabouts I suppose ;)
Can she have a word with mine please ? ;)
Ditto...
...oh and stewie, you aren't too old. If I'm not, you're definitely not:o
Ditto...
...oh and stewie, you aren't too old. If I'm not, you're definitely not:o
Aw thanks young un ;)
My lad went to NZ with his mum ,and managed 2 yrs.He came back here for a holiday and never went back.To say he hated it would be an understatement.
he missed things that you would prob never imagine."real trees,TV, English accents,potnoodles etc"
Is the grass always greener? He says no
redbouy
31-10-07, 07:08 PM
My whole family has moved out of NZ. me I will never go back unless I have no where else. Small minded. expensive [and thats even from here] and to far away.
I like the small village feeling, the fact you can fly to a new place [or fall asleep on the train:drink:doh] in a few hours. I can see history out side my window.
And I can be pround of the country I live in. well sort of.
NZ pah.
US Like it but live there. Not so sure.
Biker Biggles
31-10-07, 07:34 PM
I liked NZ when visiting in my seafaring days,but obviously that's different to living there.The kind of timewarp feeling to the place was nice to experience,like the old cars and strange bylaws.At one time you couldnt buy alcohol in Wellington after eight o'clock anywhere.Even the nightclubs sold soft drinks only.Auckland was more up to date though.
Filipe M.
31-10-07, 09:53 PM
:D Right, who's up for a road trip to Portugal to give Filipe the kicking he so richly deserves? :smt077
Let me know when, I need to book a flight to London... 8-[
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