I never quite told my mum much about my life in Australia after I moved here since I was 19. It was not because I wanted to keep secrets, but because I understood how sharing too much might affect her.
One thing I have realized, as someone who moved away from my parents at a young age, is how distance shapes our relationships and communication. The 7200 kilometers between Taiwan’s capital and Melbourne, a journey that takes approximately nine to ten hours by direct flight or twelve to sixteen hours with a layover, felt even greater emotionally. It is not just the physical separation; this trip crosses oceans, time zones, and worlds. While the clock suggests less than a day of travel, the contrasts in landscapes, traditions, and flavors make it feel like stepping into a completely different universe.
If I had shared the struggles I faced in my first few months here, like being homesick, language issues, dealing with financial pressures, or facing unexpected challenges, it would have only added to her worries. Given the distance, cultural differences, and the limitations of what she could do from so far away, there was not much she could offer except her concern.
It is not that I believe we should hide everything from our parents. Open communication is important. But knowing my mum, who has always been someone prone to worrying about even the smallest things, I realized that sharing every detail of my toothache, my challenges, my troubles, and all my problems would only leave her with endless anxiety. It would rob her of her peace of mind and leave her with sleepless nights without a way to truly help me.
Instead, I focused on finding ways to navigate my challenges autonomously. I learned to problem solve, build resilience, and adapt to new circumstances even when things felt overwhelming. Whether it was managing finances, finding healthcare, or discovering small moments of joy in unfamiliar surroundings, I built a foundation of self-reliance. These experiences did not just shape my independence, they gave me a sense of pride in knowing I could handle life’s obstacles on my own.
By doing this, I not only grew as an individual but also found a way to ease my mum’s worries. I shared my wins, my milestones, and the positives in my life, reassuring her that I was doing okay. It reminded me of the strength I have developed through these experiences and how valuable it is to let my actions, not my struggles, speak for themselves.
This journey has taught me that growing apart in distance does not mean growing apart in love. Even from 7200 kilometers away, my mum’s love and concern were with me. By handling life’s challenges autonomously, I was able to protect her from unnecessary worries while also proving to myself that I had the resilience to thrive no matter where I was.
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