Creating a home from home

Almost a month into my expat life and one of the most important things I've done is to try and create a 'mini home' away from home. Nothing will ever replace my home, the place where me, my wife and children lay our heads to rest at night, the place filled with so many happy memories, however it's important to create an environment which is comfortable and a place where you are happy to return too after a hard day.

So how have I created my 'mini home', well to start with I got myself down to a local home store and purchased some soft furnishings, whilst my apartment came furnished, it wasn't welcoming. I also, and a little piece of advice, brought with me some photos in frames which I could immediately put up around my apartment. Honestly, the moment I did this (4am on the day I arrived), it felt warmer and more welcoming.

Second piece of advice, add yourself to the local buying and selling groups, I added myself and found some absolute bargains.

Facebook finds, candle - £3 and bamboo - £10.. no, I didn't buy a random photo of two people, that's me and my wife :-).

So just before I left, my youngest daughter presented me with a Jellycat heart lock teddy, she has one, I have one and when we're together they lock together.. how sweet. What an amazing and thoughtful gift and honestly, when she gave it to me, I'm not ashamed to say there was a tear.

So, I hear you ask about the beaten-up old hedgehog teddy, well that was a present my dad brought home for me when I was a child. He used to work away a lot (mainly around the UK) and each time, he'd return with a hedgehog teddy for me (not sure why a hedgehog, however they are now one of my favourite animals). This is the one I used to sleep with every night as a child, hence it's a tad flat. Both the Jellycat and hedgehog take pride of place in my bedroom, and along with a photo of my family, are the last things I see before I turn the light off at night.

Little piece of advice, when you're felling low, when you're felling lonely, it's the soft touches, the photos, teddies, what ever it may be, which will help you get through it and keep you focused on the end goal.

Why am I sharing this with you? Well, it's simple really, it's hard to create a new life away from everything you know. Whether it's permanent or temporary, it's so important to have happy memories/ reminders around you. Plus, and for me, these things remind me of why I'm doing what I'm doing, and no it's not about being away from my family, it's the opposite, it's to support them and hopefully create a life with more financial stability.

My take-aways from my 'creating a home away from home' blog:

• Plan ahead and take stuff with you that's memorable, meaningful and will remind you of the people back home

• Get yourself on the local buying and selling groups and pickup some bargains to make your space feel more homely and inviting

• Never forgot why you're doing what you're doing, whether it's for experience, money, to create more stability, to simply explore and experience a different culture, remember the reason why. I can honestly tell you there will be some dark times where you feel lonely and isolated and remembering the reasons why, will help you.