reverse culture shock
i've read about it in books.i've heard about it in lectures.
i've studied it undergrad AND graduate school.
i've been warned about it by other missionaries.
but have i experienced it?
the missions pastor at much church says that some of the tell tale signs are low emotional energy, critical spirit, feeling of displacement, lack of focus, etc, etc, etc.
i've been feeling a little overwhelmed lately, even though i don't really have all that much in my schedule. i go to work. i go running. i go home, eat diner, take a shower, read and go to bed. on wednesdays i go to bible study. on sundays i go to church. and many saturdays i have to go to extra training for work. but that still doesn't quite sound like the busy of life of the over-committed.
it seems like i haven't had the time for many of the things that i came back to do or committed to improve - my thesis and relationships - whether that's actually time, or "emotional energy." i can't seem to settle into a routine. i've forgotten how to manage my time. beyond a few close friends, i'm not quite sure where i belong, or where i want to belong. there are lots of activities that sound great, but there are almost TOO MANY options.
is this what reverse culture shock looks like?
posted by Alexia & Jeffrey @ 8:16 AM
1 Comments:
Lex, I felt much of the same exact things! Yes, I do think it probably has somewhat to do with culture shock. If not culture shock exactly then definitely what one deals with in any transition in life. Being displaced (and in this case to a different country!) for a while and then returning definitely has it's adjustments. It's definitely normal. I think it's an awesome opportunity though to re-evaluate priorities and goals in life. It kicks us out of the mundane and forces us to make changes. :)
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