I Think I Miss My Washing Machine?
When I moved across the world, I wasn’t naïve: I expected to feel homesick. I expected to miss my family, my friends, and especially my dog. What I didn’t expect was for the first real wave of homesickness to hit while I was doing my laundry.
I’ll happily defend the idea that laundry is the best household chore. I’d even go so far as to call it therapeutic, at home, anyway. But on the Sunday before Week One, as I attempted my usual Sunday reset, I found myself missing home somewhere between loading the machine and figuring out the dryer. The oddly coloured spots inside some of the machines, the stray socks on the floor, and the damp smell of the laundry room made me nostalgic for something I’d never thought to appreciate: my old routines.
During the excitement of Freshers’ Week, meeting new people, exploring, and figuring out the freedom of living away from home, there wasn’t much time to dwell on what I missed. For me, homesickness arrived in the quieter moments.
Over the past few weeks, mundane chores like cleaning my shower, washing my sheets, and vacuuming have been the moments when the reality of starting university has sunk in the most.
There’s something strange about missing things you barely noticed at home. I never thought I’d feel sentimental about knowing exactly how long the washing machine took, or which cupboard held the spare sheets. But those little details made everyday life feel effortless, and I’m realising how comforting that familiarity was.
Navigating a New Routine
I think one of the toughest changes since coming to St Andrews has been losing my routine. Those mundane tasks remind me that even the most familiar parts of my day now require a little more thought.
What’s helped me is starting small. I’ve kept my Sunday resets, and I’m hoping that the more I do them, the less I’ll resent putting the sheets back on my bed.
The beauty of living in a town as small as St Andrews is that familiar places quickly become part of your routine. I’ve found three routes from my IR lectures to my accommodation, and I’ve started rotating between them. I’ve also attempted beach runs and picked specific days to go to the gym. Nothing particularly groundbreaking, but having a few things I can count on makes the week feel more manageable.
It Won’t Feel Like a Proper Routine Straight Away
Starting a new routine is hard, especially when it doesn’t feel like a routine yet. Every club, meeting, lecture, activity, and tutorial still lives in my Google Calendar, complete with alerts so I don’t forget anything.
But with each passing week, things are starting to feel more natural. I’ve realised that after my last lecture, the time difference usually works perfectly for calling my mom and friends back home. Even after just two weeks, those calls have started to feel like part of my new normal.
Decorate, Decorate, Decorate!
Making my room look less like a stock photo of university accommodation has also made a huge difference. Since moving in, I’ve added a throw blanket, decorative pillows, and a cosy bedside lamp.
Going from a room you’ve spent years making your own to a space with a standard desk and bedside table can feel surprisingly unsettling. Bringing a little personality into it helps. Even something as small as a jewellery tray or a poster from home can make the room feel more familiar.
It Just Takes Time
None of this is a cure for homesickness. Feeling settled takes time, and unfortunately, there isn’t a quick fix.
Although I’m speaking from less than a month of experience, I do think it’s getting easier. It’s completely normal to enjoy being with your friends one moment and miss your room at home the next. The more routine and familiarity I build in St Andrews, the more it starts to feel like home.
I might still miss my washing machine, though.