My family and I are nomads in the twenty-first century. Ever since we stepped out of the airport and started our new lives in Canada, we never stayed in one place for too long. Eventually, we settled on Newfoundland and Labrador, an island on the east coast surrounded by the ocean and covered in thick forests. The nine years I spent in Newfoundland and Labrador were filled with hikes along the Atlantic shore, countless sleepovers with my closest friends, and many more happy moments. It was safe to say that I had finally found my home – and it only took a 2000 kilometre flight to take it away from me.
After my father found a new job in 2018, we packed our bags again and moved to Ontario. The Greater Toronto Area was nothing like Newfoundland and Labrador; there were no pine trees, no ocean, and too much traffic. And the final nail in the coffin? I was starting grade eleven at a brand-new high school.
Feeling Alone in a Crowd—and Why It’s Okay!
My new high school had more than double the number of students in my old high school. Yet, I was more alone and lost than I had ever been. At first, I felt silly for struggling to adapt, and I refused to admit that I was suffering. My suppressed emotions expressed themselves in other ways, like a lack of motivation and plummeting grades.
So, what changed?
I finally admitted to myself that I felt lonely. I mistakenly believed that being emotionally vulnerable was a sign of weakness; however, I realized that being honest with my feelings was the only way to become stronger. Feeling alone and scared in a new setting is completely normal!
A New Home Sweet Home
Admitting that I felt lonely was taking the first big breath before diving into more challenges. The best way to familiarize yourself with your new surroundings is to get involved! Joining clubs and volunteering helped me feel more comfortable in my new community. There’s no easy way around this, you just have to find the willpower to start. You’ll notice that once you dive in, the water will feel less cold over time.
With over 100 clubs at Western, you’re bound to find one that interests you. Joining a club that aligns with your hobbies will bring you to a gold mine of potential new friends. It’s much easier making connections with new people if you know they share a common interest with you. Additionally, Western has Sophs – spectacular student leaders paired with freshmen to mentor them throughout the year. I can’t imagine going through my first semester of university without my Sophs!
Additionally, starting a new chapter in your life doesn’t mean you have to cut ties with your past. A quick text or an hour-long FaceTime call is the perfect remedy for homesickness. It’s important to listen to your body when it craves interactions with old friends or family members who live far away. Still, it shouldn’t hinder you from living your new life either.
Regardless if this is your first time moving, or if you’re a moving veteran like me, starting anew in a different setting is still an enormous obstacle. It’s an obstacle that I encountered numerous times, and each time it taught me how to come out of my shell and never give up. If it weren’t for the lessons I learned through moving, I don’t think I would be as confident and determined as I am today. Everyone has the courage within themselves to look at the challenge of moving in the eyes and overcome it – and before you know it, you’ll find yourself with a new perspective and surrounded by new friends.