7 Ways to Fight Homesickness in Bali

We all experience homesickness in Bali every now and then. You would think the longer you are here the easier it gets but that’s not always the case.

Or you might think trying something completely polar opposite would give you enough adrenaline to forget those feelings we left back home.

But sooner or later, we start to miss our family, friends, our favorite eateries, hangouts, and whatever else we left behind.

Sometimes the feeling of loneliness, isolation, and even anxiety can be overwhelming and we don’t know what to do.

Homesickness in Bali or elsewhere far from loved ones is natural, but know that you have our support. Continue reading to see if you can take anything from it.

Traveling is supposed to be about breaking old habits and discovering the unknown, leaving the coop and gaining a new perspective on life, adopting a more active lifestyle, learning a new language, meeting locals and expats, getting lost, and simply feeling the vibe and culture.

We are, however, creatures of habit, and sooner or later, we all desire a hamburger under the golden arches, a comfort-blanket movie, or that new series your pals have been raving about back home.

Whether you’re lonely, haven’t met people on the same wavelength, tired of reading subtitles, or up at 3AM and bored watching Ridiculousness on MTV or the continuous 15 minute loop of CNN International because it’s the only English language show on, here are some ways to make yourself feel at home when you’re not really at home—a guide for combatting homesickness in Bali.

2 hour remedies for Homesickness in Bali

• Explore TV and different Film Genres
• Catch Up On Movies
• Watch a blanket movie
• Find a good book to read

Avoid watching Indonesia’s 4 TV groups on air unless you enjoy adjusting your antenna every few minutes.

Sometimes these stations try to broadcast the World Cup or English Premier League with an Indonesian commentator but satellite or the internet is a better option.

Movies at Bali’s hotels and resorts vary from place to place. The bigger they are, the more channels they will have such as CNN, National Geographic, Animal Planet, Movies, Australian Channel, Sports, Music, and about 55 other channels. The smaller budget places often only have Indonesian Cable.

In the not-so-distant past, people in Indonesia turned on their televisions for entertainment and information and believe it or not, the majority of the Indonesian public still do. However, most expats have abandoned conventional televisions and are relying on mobile gadgets.

Is it possible to view foreign television channels from Bali, Indonesia? If so, how? Some local cable and satellite companies may provide expatriate-specific bundles such as those listed above in hotels and resorts (where there is a large enough community to justify it), and if so, they may be the easiest alternative.

Even if you subscribe to a cable TV network that includes extra sports channels such as Fox Sports or Bein Sports, the number of sports and games available is minimal.
Fortunately, thanks to the internet and VPN, there are a variety of ways to watch an almost infinite list of TV shows, movie channels, and live sports channels from across the world.

There are plenty of VPN services which will offer to bypass any restrictions, which are probably a safer bet than illegal sites offering illegal feeds on Kodi, which allow you to watch TV in complete secrecy from anywhere in the world. However, in some cases, the issue is locating a proxy server or VPN with addresses in the nation from which you desire video access.

Kodi is legal in and of itself, but because the add-ons are opensource, the same cannot be said of them.

Which Add-ons Are Legal?

Some of them are totally legal, such as those that come with Kodi or those that you may download directly without using any other repo (short for repository). Depending on their uses and how you use them, the others may or may not be legal.

With that said, here are some of the legal add-ons you can always use legally.

1. YouTube
2. Hulu
3. Netflix
4. Twitch
5. CrunchyRoll

Alteratives To Genesis

1. TV Tap
2. Mad Titan Sports
3. The Oath
4. Venom
5. Ghost

Are these addons legal to watch movies and shows?

Is it possible to watch TV shows and movies on them? Sure, but when it comes to whether they can be used to stream completely legally, the answer becomes debatable. Some of the streams may be illegal, while others may not be. Using a VPN outside of Indonesia is the most secure option. If you’re not sure how to do it, there are plenty of YouTube videos on how to do it depending on the device you’re using.

Find a good book to read

All bookshops in Bali are short on books, regardless of language, and books are expensive due to customs duties and other factors. Some expats read a lot but only bring two novels because they’re heavy. However, you can find lots of books in hotels and resorts, which are frequently left behind by vacationers and business travelers.

So, what’s the best way to go about it? Kindles, Nooks, and other e-book readers are available. Some people have their books stored on a dedicated iPad, transferring EPUB or PDF files from a laptop.

Amazon, Apple Books, eBooks.com, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, Kobo, Google Play Books

There are alternative sites, such as torrent sites and PDFDrive.

Get a Routine And Stick To It

When you move to a new location or go to a foreign country for the first time, you are probably not adjusted to the local culture or the new time zone that you are in. This may be difficult for you, and it may also intensify your feelings of homesickness.

Establishing routines in your daily life is one of the most effective methods to address this issue.

When you’re not in your homeland, maintaining your normal routines is very important. Productivity, concentration, and a feeling of being in charge will all be directly influenced by the usual plan you follow.

Of course, we are not discussing the need of sticking to a regimented schedule because, let’s be honest, who really does that?

We want you to get up at the same time every day by setting an alarm at the same time, and we also want you to make sure that you go to bed at a time that is generally consistent with the time you get up, maybe even developing a “bedtime ritual.”

It is crucial to maintain a healthy nighttime routine since doing so will enhance your sleeping pattern, mood, and will reduce the likelihood that you will get unwell. When you are feeling homesick, it is important that you keep in mind this straightforward advice since it is very important!

Want to know more about Indonesian movies? Read about Indonesia’s all-time top movies here.

Find a international friend you can relate to

Bali is a big place and it’s even bigger if you keep an open mind

Trying to meet new friends may seem difficult in your head, but we promise it’ll be the best thing you do in Bali for your mental health and improving homesickness.

There’s nothing more healthy than finding a bunch of people who fit your vibe and you jell well with.

There are plenty of people in the same boat as you, therefore we recommend looking for meetups, Facebook groups, and digital nomads to join online. 

Keep Busy And Do Stuff

This may seem like a no-brainer, but it’s sad to think how many people spend their time holed up in hotels and villas instead of exploring the area.

Plan something to look forward to, maybe with some other travelers. We’ve listed some quick ideas below you may enjoy:

1. Grab a coffee somewhere
2. Eat at a warung
3. Take a surfing lesson
4. Get up early and walk around the neighborhood
5. Get on a dating app and set up a date
6. Watch some nostalgic movies or tv shows you like
7. Do something creative with your hands
8. Play video a video game
9. Create a travel blog
10. Hike up a volcano

It can be helpful to alleviate feelings of isolation and free you from feeling homesick if you distract yourself by engaging in activities and socializing with others.

Keep a travel journal

Here’s a favorite one: you should get a journal.

Journaling can be a powerful and proactive way to combat such feelings of loneliness. It might be helpful in improving your mood and coordinating your thoughts when you are missing your home away from home.

Here is a full list of the 10 best journaling ideas for people who feel lonely. There are many helpful prompts that can help you work through and get rid of feelings of loneliness. Some of these include focusing on gratitude, thinking about how loneliness feels, and coming up with ways to help others.

Here are 10 things to write about to keep your thoughts in check:

1. Write about what you’re going to do that day.
2. Write down how you feel in your journal.
3. Write down things you’re proud of doing today (at the end of the night).
4. Find any bad thoughts you have.
5. Do you feel alone when you are around others?
6. How did you help someone today?
7. What advice would you give a friend who is experiencing loneliness?
8. What are you grateful for?
9. Where do happy people go, what do they do, and how do they behave?
10. Write down how you will get rid of these things tomorrow to feel better.

Go exercise

We get it, developing a regular fitness routine takes time.

Your mental health and how homesick you are may both be improved by going for a quick jog or run, going to the gym, or simply substituting GoJek for a walk.

Your body will start to create chemicals called “endorphins,” which in turn will cause your body to feel happy.

If all of this doesn’t help you, feel free to reach out to me. I am always here.