I have never been someone who is overly attached to my parents. When I live at home during the summer, I love being in my room with the door shut, minding my own business. Although my parents and I have an amazing relationship together, needing time to myself is very important, as sometimes they are overwhelming. My family has always been very close, and therefore when we are together, they love doing everything together. This is nice, but sometimes I need my space to just relax and do whatever I want. Being very close, we are comfortable in sharing our differing opinions on a subject, but sometimes we can get on each other’s toes by being the devil’s advocate which can get annoying very fast if you are not in the right mood.
My summer 2019 consisted of me going to work every day, coming home for dinner and either sitting on the couch to watch TV, or going upstairs to watch Jersey Shore on my laptop. I went out with friends and spent time with my family as well, but I kept to myself because I was tired from working all the time.
When I came back to Brantford, I figured the move would resemble my previous years: being caught with a bittersweet feeling. I was sad to not necessarily see my parents every day anymore, but happy and excited for the upcoming year, and the independence that came with it.
As the typical drop-off day went, I packed all of my things into my and my parents’ cars, and we drove up to campus. We unpacked everything, talked a little and then went out for dinner, ending with at least three goodbye hugs from my mom, and one eye-roll from my dad regarding my mom.
I was extremely tired that day as I had not slept properly the night before. This year, my boyfriend came to drop me off as well and stay the night. We were planning to have a pizza party, watch at least two movies and fall asleep.
But instead, I became extremely homesick. As we were watching Dragon’s Den, I started crying and repeating “I want to go home, I need to go home,” and so on. Late into the night, I thought I needed to drive back right then to go sleep in my own room right down the hall from my parents. I calmed down and fell asleep instantly after I finished crying.
The next day, I woke up and wondered what happened – I was definitely not expecting that outburst, it was nothing I had gone through before. My boyfriend and my sister made me realize that although I had not spent every second of the day with my parents in the summer, I was used to having them around, and this was the beginning of not having them down the hall from me.
Because this was new, and I was already entering my third year, I was shocked. But now, halfway into my second week, I realize that it is an adjustment period. I still miss them; I text them every day and call often but I am getting back into the groove of the independence that I missed.
I think it is important to remind myself of why I like living away, as well as the fact that if I ever feel like I really need to go home, I can. I only live about an hour and a half away, and I have my car sitting on the driveway. My roommates have also moved in and with school work starting to pick up, it has been much better to not concentrate on only one thing.