Jo’s Top 9 Essentials for Home Sickness

Once every few months I get a message from my mother asking, 'What do you want me to send you from home?' Every time this glorious question comes my way, the first thing I excitedly type is this: Malteasers. 

After spending years living in various countries, I can honestly say there is nothing more comforting or delicious than the taste of a Malteser, and it is a serious tragedy that so many countries around the world have not had the chance to experience them. They're light, have the perfect amount of chocolate and are incredibly moreish.

This one is definitely a very personal choice for me. In my apartment in Japan, I have a bottle of this gorgeous scent sat on my dressing table all year round, yet you may find it surprising that I actually do not even wear this perfume. 

The reason I have this perfume is because of a very special person: my mother. My whole life she has worn this perfume, and there is nothing that brings back warm memories of home faster than its fabulous scent. When I have a moment where I feel lonely and miss home, a spray of this in the air is like a warm, comforting hug.

When I was a child, a packet of Walkers crisps in the school playground was a classic routine. Nothing grand, nothing particularly special, just that tangy crunch to give your stomach a little morning treat. 

However, now that I live abroad and have discovered that Salt and Vinegar flavoured items are pretty much exclusively a British favourite, the lack of my old classic snack is a real shame. Because of this, Salt and vinegar crisps always take pride of place in my luggage when I fly out from the UK, the perfect snack for a nostalgic moment.

This one will come as a shock to no one I'm sure. But honestly, who in the world doesn't need a Kindle? I often crave the solace of a good book, and with a Kindle, you have the literary world at your fingertips. 

In Japan, it is a non trivial quest to find a store that will stock a book in the English language, so having something as convenient as a kindle is a real lifesaver. When I miss home, all I need to do is open my favourite Jane Austen or even Harry Potter, and my mind is instantly transported back home. Having a Kindle means that I can carry a library of British memories in my handbag, something which is invaluable.

As you can tell by a number of items on my list, I love food. Nothing warms my heart, and of course my stomach, more than the taste of a classic, home cooked British meal. They're the sort of tastes you can take for granted: Grandma's Shepherds pie, Mum's Roast potatoes, Dad's classic summer BBQ - the list could go on. 

These are the tastes that bring you back home, and when you can't have them made for you, sometimes you've got to take matters into your own hands. And that's where my favourite lady, Nigella, comes out to help me. Her fabulously indulgent recipes paired with her quick wit make all her books a joy to read and follow. If I need the taste of home, I can always rely on Nigella.

As someone who hates cold weather, nothing is more comforting than a snuggle with your treasured hot water bottle. Now that I'm living abroad, I have been shocked to find out that hot water bottles aren't as popular outside of the UK, which seems a tragedy to me. 

I use mine year round, whether it's to warm myself on a cold day or to comfort a poorly tummy. Sitting with the warmth of a hot water bottle makes me feel like I'm back home in the UK in front of a roaring fire, and that feeling is something I couldn't live without. If you too are someone who hates the sting of a winter morning, don't forget to bring your trusty hot water bottle when you travel!

Much like the kindle, this one has been a lifesaver for me living in Japan. Of course, every country you go to will have their own culture of television, music and movies, but sometimes nothing will satisfy more than something that reminds you of home. 

Whether you use it for Netflix, Amazon Prime, Hulu... whatever you choose, this device will help you access it on just about any television or projector you have available. I have binge watched so many of my favourite British shows using my Amazon fire stick, which has comforted me on more than one lonely evening missing home.

I love a good beer. Some of my fondest memories of England involve sitting in the garden of some quaint pub sipping on a cold pint. Nothing brings much more comfort than those gorgeous summer memories! And while Japan has some beautiful contributions to the world of beer, my British heart tells me that my country wears the crown. 

There are so many fabulous craft beers to take note of in the UK, but my personal favourite brewery is Camden Town Brewery, the home of a number of amazing products. 

When I brought my fiance, Mo, back to the UK for the Christmas holidays, he fell in love with this beer from the first sip, and we talk about how much we miss drinking it frequently. I would pay a hefty sum to have that glorious taste while I'm here in Japan!

In recent years, something that I have found an invaluable tool is journaling. Journaling helps me keep track of plans, organise my thoughts and note down goals. However, one of the most important parts of journaling is simply the immortalisation of memories and feelings. 

As long as I have my journals, I can look back at memories from years before. I can remember great days at work, exotic trips and fun events. But more importantly, I can remember memories with my parents in England, sitting around watching TV. 

I can remember the day I received a care package from England that brought me to the brink of tears. And I can remember all the times I wrote about how much I love and miss the people back home while I'm in Japan. Sometimes memories are the most important when feeling homesick.