Spark 02: text only

[realmenknitplushies]

Hi. Got a question. It's more for people who've been here longer, but if anyone's got advice, it's cool.

Can't really believe I'm asking this, but - does anyone have any ideas for what to do when you miss your family? I try to talk to ma, but it doesn't always work. And I can't just keep ringing home.

[Yeah, if anyone's seen Kanji shouting into a phone, that's what he means by 'doesn't work'.]

I mean, I'm alright. It's not a big deal overall. But any tips?

Comments

[frigokinetic]

[Oh.]

[Well, this post hurt in a lot of ways Elsa really wasn't expecting.]

I am... notoriously bad at speaking with family, myself.

But I think that you should always let them know you love them. Even if you just write a letter every so often.

[presto_turn]

When I start missing home, I always try to spend time doing something that would've relaxed me if I was back there. Or just something that reminds me of it.

[There's a short break between messages as Shindou tries to work out just what to say. This is the kind of subject he's had more experience with than he'd like to admit.]

Sometimes it's easier to check in by e-mail, too, if you don't feel up to phoning.

[text]

[knighterrantofthedragon]

I'm sorry to hear you've had difficulty acclimating, although I can certainly understand it. I can only really speak to my own experience, but some thoughts:

I've found that make certain I have some space of my own--places I can go and feel settled-in, that is--particularly helps with the feeling of being displaced, or disconnected.

Aside from my obligations, I try to keep up on news from home, and keep my family informed about my own situation. My parents, in particular, are easiest to speak to when I've started off by sharing even minor pieces of good news; friendships I've begun to form, for example, or even simply that I'm in good health. They rather like when I have some direct question for them--I've found parents especially like to feel useful, even more so when they're far away. In contrast, I find it rather easier to write to my brother than to speak to him, but we've always had some difficulty speaking to one another.

Besides that, I try to surround myself with things from home. My guitar, for example, and other things of sentimental value, so as not to feel quite so distant, if that makes sense. Hopefully all that's of some help.

[video]

[kickstart_my_heart]

It's hard for me... I'm a runaway and all. I still love my family. But I feel like if I start missing them too much, I'll ruin everything.

text

[kamiizumi]

I think about what they want for me and why I'm here, mostly.

[Audio]

[the_prodigal_son]

Playing video games helps.

[Not that he really misses his real parents, he never knew them well. But he misses the fake parents from his fake memories. Video games are a good distraction from that.]

[text]

[soccerwhisperer]

When I moved to Tokyo from Okinawa, my mom made me keep up on Facebook and post lots of pictures.

[hearmyfeels]

Can she do youtube and things? You could try making vlogs--you know! I do that sometimes, just a purrivate channel so I can talk to my sisters and Dad. Tell them what's going on, show them stuff I'm doing or my room!

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[knowitallgoddess]

I send my parents an email a night. It helps me better my writing skills and lets me get everything out at the end of the day.

[lovesreporter]

I try to video call with them once a week. Make a plan for a certain day that you can call them. Something like that is best I think. I know my little brother and sister miss seeing me more often than that though..

But the bonds of family and love are the strongest there are. Nothing can defeat you in you believe in love!

[ ...And she went a little off the rails there at the end. ]