I promised in my last post to discuss why I haven't posted in a while, so here it is. The past few weeks I have been suffering from a Saudi depression. This is not a real depression as depicted on anti-depressant drug commercials, or anything that requires any type of medical attention.
Saudi depression is a condition that has inflicted countless of female expats in the Kingdom. It happens after you've spend a few amazing weeks (or months) in your home country, with family, friends, and most of all -freedom. It's the depression that hits as soon as you board the plane with the destination being Saudi Arabia. All of a sudden, it hits you. Everything you hate about Saudi immediately floods from the depths of your brain where you have been diligently trying to forget them. When you finally get over the several days of jetlag and try to resume a normal life, you are instantly frustrated with the difficulty and effort required to complete basic tasks.
Let me explain.
I spent 6 fun-filled weeks in the US and Canada where I...
- Became a naturalized U.S. citizen. U.S.A.!
- Attended two amazing weddings
- Spent time with immediate family/extended family/R's family
- Spent Karva Chauth with my mom
- Saw amazing friends with babies too cute for words and babies on the way
- Slid into my car, hit the accelerator and enjoyed every minute I was in the driver's seat
- Savored wine and alcohol like I was 21 again
- Caught up on trash tv
- Enjoyed American politics because there is nothing like it
- Endured an unexpected weekend snowstorm with no electricity
- Realized what all the hype was about Chik-Fil-A
- Watched in disbelief at the obvious and distorted pro-Isreali slant that exists in American media.
And most importantly, I realized that you should not sweat the small stuff. Until you are forced not to drive, forced to wear clothes you don't want to wear, and live in a country where racism is acceptable, there is no such thing "small stuff".
After these 6 weeks, I returned to the land of sand and immediately felt suffocated. It really is depressing. And so I sulked for a while, became a nagging wife, and generally withdrawn. I know it sounds like I am crazy person, but what you have to understand is that my experience is not unique. After talking to several women, there is not a single person who hasn't felt this depression. Unfortunately, it is a unifying and collective experience of women in the Kingdom.
I didn't want to blog because I tend to be an overly optimistic, happy person and wanted to keep my blog in a similar tone. But after talking to everyone I know, and realizing that my feelings were not unique, I felt the need to share.
So to my readers, whomever you may be, I'm sorry for not posting and promise to make it up to you.
Cheers,
M
Saudi depression is a condition that has inflicted countless of female expats in the Kingdom. It happens after you've spend a few amazing weeks (or months) in your home country, with family, friends, and most of all -freedom. It's the depression that hits as soon as you board the plane with the destination being Saudi Arabia. All of a sudden, it hits you. Everything you hate about Saudi immediately floods from the depths of your brain where you have been diligently trying to forget them. When you finally get over the several days of jetlag and try to resume a normal life, you are instantly frustrated with the difficulty and effort required to complete basic tasks.
Let me explain.
I spent 6 fun-filled weeks in the US and Canada where I...
- Became a naturalized U.S. citizen. U.S.A.!
- Attended two amazing weddings
- Spent time with immediate family/extended family/R's family
- Spent Karva Chauth with my mom
- Saw amazing friends with babies too cute for words and babies on the way
- Slid into my car, hit the accelerator and enjoyed every minute I was in the driver's seat
- Savored wine and alcohol like I was 21 again
- Caught up on trash tv
- Enjoyed American politics because there is nothing like it
- Endured an unexpected weekend snowstorm with no electricity
- Realized what all the hype was about Chik-Fil-A
- Watched in disbelief at the obvious and distorted pro-Isreali slant that exists in American media.
And most importantly, I realized that you should not sweat the small stuff. Until you are forced not to drive, forced to wear clothes you don't want to wear, and live in a country where racism is acceptable, there is no such thing "small stuff".
After these 6 weeks, I returned to the land of sand and immediately felt suffocated. It really is depressing. And so I sulked for a while, became a nagging wife, and generally withdrawn. I know it sounds like I am crazy person, but what you have to understand is that my experience is not unique. After talking to several women, there is not a single person who hasn't felt this depression. Unfortunately, it is a unifying and collective experience of women in the Kingdom.
I didn't want to blog because I tend to be an overly optimistic, happy person and wanted to keep my blog in a similar tone. But after talking to everyone I know, and realizing that my feelings were not unique, I felt the need to share.
So to my readers, whomever you may be, I'm sorry for not posting and promise to make it up to you.
Cheers,
M
Without bad days, you'd never know what a good one was. Though I think your experiences have taken you far beyond that. I think you're so brave for going to a new country, and experiencing life from a perspective that few of us can ever imagine. Hang in there... and keep blogging! Hugs!
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