Depression..

[NandJ 16]

I totally understand you!!! I came here 2 weeks ago and I'm already starting to get bit depressed and bored.

I try to get outside of the apartment as much as I can (mostly in the evenings when my fiancé comes home from work): go to the Mall, grocery store...

The rest of the time I spend with research (immigration process, recipes, jobs, etc.), cooking, cleaning and watching TV lol

Maybe you have a gym somewhere close? That's what I'm gonna start soon, since we have one in our apartment complex.

[motoperpetuo 3]

concentrate on what you can do to make your husband happy. hopefully he will do the same for you. the time period you're in right now, new from europe, adjusting to the craziness of american culture, and to our cities where you can't walk to many places, is probably the most difficult part of the immigration process. it will pass. my ex was from ukraine and i think our marriage started to fall apart during the stage you're at now. don't let it happen to you.

[Jawaree 717]

Hey,

so I've been in the US for 1 1/2 months now and I couldn't be happier.

But I think I am depressed.

I have no drivers license and my husband has to work a lot. Usually I am home 24/7. We have two dogs which I take for short walks, trying to increase the length (both pull a lot and go crazy when they see other dogs, they are Weimaraners).

Now, I am not used to being home all day. I used to live in Berlin...huge difference.

I started a blog to write about my new life here in the US. But that's not enough.

What else can I do?

I can't wait to finally have my drivers license. We are still waiting for my social security number

join your local gym

Visit a church.

The depression will pass soon, stay upbeat & positive

TIA

Do some volunteering to help the less fortunate (a pier upper)

Take a class at the local school

join the library

Try out new dishes sometimes to prepare

Edited March 22, 2016 by Jawaree

[NikLR 13,220]

Guys, we need to think of things someone can do without driving.

[Je.Se 0]

Walk, bus, bike or uber to volunteer somewhere. Americans love volunteers!

Hospital, animal shelter, etc. this will also help your depression by giving to others.

[texcal 9]

How about some crafting projects? Is there any remodeling in the house or backyard you could do? Or built some things for the house? Blogs and Pinterest have awesome ideas! You could also write about it on your blog I sometimes wish I had the time...but with a baby...haha noooo way!

You can buy everything when your husband is off and then built and work on it while he s at work?

I think you need to get out and get to know people, but I also know its hard without a DL :/ any people you see on the dog walks? Anyone you could walk with regularly?

Read more into dog training and work with them?

[Roy&Chanel 109]

Guys, we need to think of things someone can do without driving.

Oh God yesh this..

Usually I stay home and play online games.

You can also pm me if u need someone to talk to, mrandmrsBRS. I'm always here to chat!

[bob&lucy 1]

I am in the same situation ..been here 3 months now and I am so tired of staying at home. My husband go to work weekdays and I am left at home with our dog. I tried to keep myself busy but lately those things doesn't make me happy anymore. I came to a point where I burst into tears and telling my husband that I want my old life back. I miss having a job and be independent, going out with friends and just going somewhere or trying adventurous things. I don't have friends yet, which is making me more sad. I know in time, I will meet new people that I might establish friendship with, right now I am pushing myself to review for my driver's exam so at least I can move forward..

I did not check my visajourney account for couple of months after I get my visa. It is good to know that a lot of people here can relate, sharing their own experiences and suggesting ideas! thanks everyone <3

[NikLR 13,220]

The K1 is a lot harder than people think. *hugs*

[JFH 12,189]

When people ask "what should we do - K1 or marry first and CR-1?" I don't think we can ever stress enough how much of an impact not being able to work can have on someone. It's not just about filling the time, it's about your feelings of self-worth. It's so important to me that I have (like many other CR-1 folk) accepted a longer processing and separation time by doing this path rather than a quicker processing and shorter separation on K-1. I want to move in with my husband and enjoy life - and for me that includes going to work.

It is a lot easier with a CR-1. Although I am not naive enough to think that I will walk into a job the minute I step off the plane, knowing that I CAN work immediately is a huge comfort to me. Even if it's McDonald's or cleaning for the neighbours. Just being able to do something and have that feeling of earning my own money and having my own responsibilities to attend to.

[mallafri76 1,012]

Make taking your driver's license your number one priority. Unless you're in a place like New York or Chicago, America really is built for driving, you'll get very isolated without a driver's lisence and car. And while studying for it, you can join like German groups and expat communities online and start making contact with people in your area. Maybe even look for others in your area right here on VJ.

[jjbandero 39]

Do you have a green thumb? Some of my friends are avid gardeners and they planted all sorts of fruit trees and vegetables in their garden, it takes quite a bit of time, offers good exercise and you are outdoors in the fresh air. You can also join local groups to get seeds, swap tips and if you have good harvests, share it with the neighbors! This is a longer-term project that hopefully will keep you entertained and also very good food for your family.

Also consider using services like Uber to get to where you need to go before you get your license, Uber is not very expensive where I live and super convenient.

[E and R 8]

My spouse just got his drivers license today after passing the practical test. Last week he studied and passed the written Washington State test. He has only been here 5 weeks and is Colombia where things are very different in a lot of ways, including driving. Also, social security card took 7 days to get from the date of the interview. He applied online. Can you do that in the state you are in? Best of luck. Also, I have changed my schedule as much as possible to be around to support my partner as much as possible. Even that I know is noutot enough. Can your husband be more available to help you out? I have made it my priority to get him whatever he needs to be and feel as independent as possible. He is adjusting amazingly well.

[yndy 2]

I feel you girl, I'm in the same shoes, I developed depression here in US never had this before. I would just cry because I feel alone a lot of times, try to make friends, it really helps, maybe they can pick you up to go somewhere (park, malls, etc) Once you got your ssn and license then you can start working and be busy and you wont feel as lonely anymore. Also you can volunteer as other people suggest (never done it myself)

[wind88 0]

It's not easy adjusting. Moving around town here in the USA is not as easy as it is in the Philippines. I have a lot of free time but I dont know what to do. So I took a course online to upgrade my skills. That's what keeps me busy at the moment.