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By Yolissma Vance
Last year was definitely one for the books. Everyone who had big plans for 2020 experienced new levels of disappointment. Forced to separate our needs from our wants, we all had to stop, recalibrate and learn to be better at being grateful. We found ways to offer support for each other through online counseling and talking through our tough times with those closest to us.
Especially for foreigners in Korea, the isolation brought on by social distancing can take its toll and increase feelings of homesickness. So here are five tips for staying safe, healthy and mentally and spiritually sound in 2021.
Home-cooked meals
Preparing my own food has helped me cope with being away from U.S. Southern home-cooking. It's also good if you're on a budget or just want to save money. You're able to season food to your liking plus enhance your cooking skills. It can be hard to find some ingredients for reasonable prices, but the results are definitely worth it.
Another alternative is eating at restaurants that make the food you enjoyed at home. Many restaurants serve foreign dishes that are tailored to suit the Korean palate but through some trial and error you're sure to be able to find a restaurant that can provide an authentic taste of home for when you don't feel like cooking.
Entertainment
Movies, music, TV sitcoms, you name it! This is the age of binge-watching. Before moving to Korea, for many foreign nationals media was the only way to experience the country. Now that we're here, media from back home can make us feel like we're not so far from home and can keep us up to date on what friends and family are talking about.
Friends
It can be hard to make friends in Korea, especially while social distancing. It's good to keep trying to meet new people through online communities. There are numerous Facebook groups to suit all types and it could open up opportunities for friendships to develop.
This is also especially a good time for catching up with old friends. Over the years, I've found it easier to get closer to Americans and Canadians through church or just through common hobbies. Not on purpose, but I think we gravitate to each other because we share similar experiences, communication comes easy and we have relatable childhood experiences.
Shopping
They call it "retail therapy" for a reason. Online shopping is growing as a result of the pandemic, but independent retail spaces are fairly low risk due to a decrease in customers. If the stores are open then they need your support. This is a good time to go to a small design store and outfit your home with new items, to visit an independent bookstore to stock up on entertainment, or to buy new clothes at a small boutique while avoiding the crowds.
Care packages
Lord, thank you for mommas! I never fully realized how much I miss America until I received a care package from my mom. Opening a big box that smells like my Texas room, unraveling tissue paper stuffed with my favorite snacks as well as shoes and clothes that I left behind lifts my heart. Moments like this, I'm reminded that the little things matter.
Receiving a care package is wonderful, but so is filling a small box with items to send home. Prices are high right now due to the disruption of postal services, but if you can afford it, sending something special to loved ones could really lift their spirits. Even if you can't send a care package, a card in the mail saying hello can make a difference, too.
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