Hi Rachel,
Reading your post made me feel like a normal person, so thanks for writing it.
I have been in Perth for 3 months now and I am having a crap time managing my feelings too. It totally struck a cord with me when you wrote about looking about your surroundings and thinking "Wow I live here" I feel the same all the time, but I am just so sad to leave my mates back home. I just can't seem to gel with Aussies in the same way I do people in Manchester where we're from.
I've had depression in the past, and I don't think I'm depressed; nor do I think you are depressed for what its worth, I just think its really hard trying to re-establish all your social networks and supports. I'm 35 and i do think age has something to do with it. I feel really pissed off with myself for leaving my mates back home, I had invested 20+ years with some of them and I feel like I have been really stupid and thrown it all away.
I really didn't want to come to Oz and just hang about with other Pommies or eve use this forum but its starting to get to that stage. I find Aussies are a bit cold, and like you say, they do 5 mins of small talk and thats it...they just leave you cold; usually just as I'm about to suggest going for a brew or arranging a playdate for the kids!
Anyway I was just writing to let you know you're not alone. and also so I can rant on as well!! thanks for listening!
Write back if you feel the urge, I know we are no where near each other geographically but I could do with an 'online' pommy chat here and there.
Kate
