The Home Bench
Journal
Notes on relocation, life abroad, identity and the families who move together.
October 15, 2026
Homesickness vs Depression: How to Tell the Difference After Moving Abroad
Missing home is normal. Sometimes it turns into something heavier. Clear signs to help you tell homesickness and depression apart, and what to do about each.
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October 13, 2026
Trailing Spouse Syndrome: Why Following Your Partner Abroad Can Be So Hard
You moved so your partner could take the job. Now they have a team and a purpose, and you have a quiet apartment and a long list. What "trailing spouse syndrome" describes, and how to find your own footing.
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October 12, 2026
Relocation Depression: Why the First Year Abroad Feels So Hard (and How Long It Lasts)
Moving abroad was supposed to be the adventure. So why does month four feel so heavy? What relocation depression is, the stages of culture shock, how long it tends to last, and what helps.
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