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Far from home

NatR
Community Member

Hello Guys!

I'm from the other side of the world (almost 1500km away from here) although I've been in Australia for a year, it seems impossible to find people who are as excited in building genuine connections as I am. I've tried different groups (people-interests) and it might be cultural as well but there's something that just doesn't allow me to find the right fit. Coming from a very warm and genuinely friendly country, this has been really hard to deal with and has given me several episodes of bad anxiety and depression. Would really like to be more able to socialize in Australia, have friends, go out, maybe a partner (?) but things are not always colors and rainbows. Are they?

5 Replies 5

Soberlicious96
Champion Alumni
Champion Alumni

Hi Nat,

Welcome to Beyond Blue and well done for reaching out.

I am sorry to hear that you are finding it hard to make some genuine connections at the moment. And given the current pandemic situation going on, well that doesn't really help matters much, does it?Certainly not the 'colours and rainbows' we like to imagine anyway.

I think one one of the important things to do and remember, is to be both patient and persistent. I do believe, that somehow somewhere is a group of people who are here already, just waiting for you to fit in with them. You sound as though you are someone who has both of those qualities. I say that because you are here, reaching out.

I wish I could offer some sort of solution ........ but at this time, all I can really suggest is what I have suggested above; to just be patient but persistent. At present, I suppose the safest way to connect with people is online anyway.

May I ask if you are on any social network platforms, such as Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and the like? If not, perhaps you could consider starting there? I know that on Facebook there are many groups to be found where people share common interests and values. I have found those to be a great help at times. Especially in the current climate of social isolation.

I don't know if any of that helps or not? Please remember that Beyond Blue is here for as much as you need it also, and you can post here as much as you like. Maybe you could have a read through other posts and find someone who is going through something similar, and help each other, yeah? It's always good to help someone else, because in doing that, we also help ourselves.

Anyway, I do hope I helped a little? Please feel free to respond if you want to .... or not. It's up to you.

Take care. I'll be thinking of you. xo

lights_will_guide_you_hom
Blue Voices Member
Blue Voices Member
Hi Nat,

I hope you are having a nice and all. I have sort of a different feeling of homelessness, life here as an international student feels so transient, you know? and this pandemic is another grim reminder of that, our homes, our lives, our neighbourhoods, our visas, our lives, anything can be taken away from us any moment.

I sort feel really strange because I feel like I don't fit anywhere, I am stuck in this cultural twilight zone where I am neither this nor that?

In my lab group, I am the only person from my cultural background and now I am fasting alone in a country where I have no relatives. I don't even have access to an online faith community of religion. I feel like I am trapped inside my own bell-jar.

I am just ranting here, this is not a suggestion post. I just want to let you know that your feelings of isolation are shared, and a lot of us are in the same headspace as you are.

Thanks for your beautiful reply, Soberlicious.

Well, when I googled "support groups for people with depression and anxiety", I thought there were going to be events (at least online atm), like seeing people's faces (there's no need to know their names or anything, just a feeling that there's someone behind the screen).

I just felt there might be a group of real people out there who might be going through similar things and are keen to hear and/or be heard.

Oh my Gosh, SerotoninGril I felt realted to every single word you wrote in your answer, I also feel I don't belong most of the time.

If it helps, I can hear you whenever you need, if that's what you want.

It is nice to know I'm not the only one feeling this way, it makes me feel less of a freak haha

Thank you so much for your reply, hope to keep in touch with you 🙂

No worries NatR, I am more than happy to share this feeling of transient-homeless-stuck-inside-a-bell-jar with you. It feels reassuring to know that there are other people who are feeling the same way.

I think we are all a little bit of freakish these days haha.