Good day, my name is Flower.
The questioner's evident anxiety about whether to return home for the holidays is likely a result of a complex interplay of factors. On the one hand, the questioner may feel a strong need to reconnect with their family after a prolonged absence. However, on the other hand, they may anticipate encountering a range of challenging emotions from their family upon their return. It is probable that many college students share similar concerns. It may, therefore, be helpful to explore strategies for effectively navigating these challenges.
It is important to be aware of the underlying thoughts that contribute to the development of anxiety.
"I am a third-year university student. I have completed my final examinations and commenced the summer vacation, yet I am reluctant to return home. I am experiencing anxiety, respiratory difficulty, and tachycardia. What is the recommended course of action?"
In instances of anxiety, deep abdominal breathing can be an effective method for calming the body and mind. Additionally, meditation has been shown to be an effective technique for reducing stress and anxiety.
It is, indeed, a cause for concern to determine whether to return home or not. If one chooses not to return home, there is a possibility that one's family may express their disapproval. Conversely, if one does return home, there is a likelihood of encountering significant challenges. In addition to the decision of whether to return home, it is essential to identify other sources of anxiety.
In the near future, you will be entering your fourth year of university. What are your future plans? Will you be undertaking an internship, searching for employment, sitting a postgraduate examination, or pursuing other avenues? Will your return home impinge upon these plans, leaving you with insufficient time to accomplish them all?
Alternatively, anxiety may be experienced due to a perceived inability to engage in self-directed activities at home with a sense of inner calm. A useful approach may be to document the specific sources of distress, with the aim of identifying potential solutions.
From an alternative perspective, the opportunity to be independent at home is also beneficial.
"When I was a first-year student, I was eager to return home, but on each occasion, my parents would misremember the time of my return, necessitating that I prepare my own meals."
From these words, I experienced a sense of disorientation. The anticipated return home was supposed to be a joyful event, and I had hoped that my parents would spend more time with me and that we could enjoy hot meals that they had prepared. However, it appeared that after returning home, these expectations were not fulfilled. Instead, I was compelled to assume responsibility for my own care. If I were in the same situation, I would likely have experienced a similar sense of frustration.
It is possible that my parents believe that we have matured to the point where we can manage our own affairs and that we must learn to do so. As a result, they are allowing us to become independent.
I also experienced a period of solitude during my final year of college. I prepared meals for myself at home. Despite the challenges of cooking for one individual, I endeavored to create a diverse range of dishes. I prepared various types of noodles, including plain noodles, noodles with tomatoes and eggs, noodles in bone broth, fried noodles, spicy noodles, and braised noodles. Additionally, I visited a supermarket to gain knowledge about different vegetables and meats. This process led me to discover that I did not prefer the texture of chicken breast and that pork ribs were more flavorful than pork shoulder ribs. I also attempted to make some desserts. When I was not inclined to cook, I would have dinner at my neighbor's house. In retrospect, I consider myself to have been highly proficient at that time, capable of preparing a multitude of delicious meals independently.
The topic of separation may prove an effective means of alleviating inner conflicts.
The subject reports that his mother is consistently making demands that he deems unreasonable, forcing him to perform tasks he is unwilling to do and becoming visibly upset when he refuses.
Prior to recent events, my father had been relatively taciturn. However, due to the fact that my mother has been consistently making unreasonable accusations and scolding him, he has also become irritable in recent years.
My sister has recently encountered challenges such as unemployment and a potential forced marriage, which has led to feelings of being overwhelmed and imbued with negative energy.
"I am already experiencing feelings of annoyance when I interact with my mother, and it will be challenging for me to cope in the near future. I am uncertain about the most appropriate course of action."
In light of the questioner's mention of his mother, father, and sister, it may be beneficial to consider detachment. Their affairs are their own, and their challenges and growth are experienced solely by them. This is not a matter for us to concern ourselves with.
As family members, we can provide emotional support and solace to those in need, while simultaneously maintaining a psychological distance from the situation. I recommend the book "Be Willing to Let the People You Love Suffer" by Zhang Defen as a valuable resource for understanding this concept.
An additional possibility is that we have truly matured. During our formative years, we consistently perceived our mother as benevolent, our father as encouraging, and our sister as exemplary. We were largely insulated from significant concerns due to the nurturing environment within our family.
As we mature, we begin to comprehend the nuances of disappointment, both minor and significant, that inevitably arise in life. We tend to fret over these disappointments and strive to resolve them, yet we often realize our limitations in doing so. We observe our parents navigating their relationships and encountering moments of frustration and irrationality, which often challenge our preconceived notions about their interactions. This can lead to feelings of disappointment and confusion, prompting us to question the nature of home and our expectations for it.
It is understandable that these changes may be challenging to accept. However, it is important to recognize that this is likely a natural phase of growth and development. It may be helpful to view this period as an opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of the nuances of life, including the seemingly mundane tasks of cooking and cleaning, the evolving dynamics of family interactions, and the capacity to adapt and evolve in the face of change.
It is important to care for one's emotional well-being and to be mindful of one's life circumstances.
"I am typically in a positive frame of mind prior to returning home, but upon interacting with my family, I often find myself experiencing a sense of regret for having gone home. This pattern has been consistent throughout my life, as evidenced by my experience during the previous holiday. I initially sought refuge at school for several days, but when I could no longer tolerate the anxiety, I returned home. However, within two days, I regretted this decision due to the influence of my family.
I am uncertain as to whether I should continue to conceal my emotions at school or return home. Remaining at school is also a highly stressful and challenging experience, yet returning home seems equally problematic.
"
The poster's evident regret upon returning home suggests a desire to remain at school. It is therefore worth considering whether the same feelings would have been experienced had the poster remained at school.
As we mature, we tend to become increasingly independent from our parents. However, we also desire their love and affection. It is important to note that we have the capacity to regulate our own emotional and physical distance from our parents.
One may choose to remain at school and avoid familial interactions during the summer months, or alternatively, one may opt to return home for a brief period of one or two weeks, subsequently seeking an excuse to resume one's studies in order to circumvent the emotional turbulence associated with prolonged contact. Furthermore, it is imperative to determine one's own values and aspirations regarding life and future endeavours.
It is recommended that you attempt this approach, focus on yourself, and there may be a reduction in physical and psychological distance, which may result in an improvement in your emotional state. It is important to remember to care for your emotions.
It is my hope that the aforementioned responses prove beneficial to the individual who posed the question, and that you find success in your endeavors.


Comments
I understand how you're feeling, and it's completely okay to not want to go home. Maybe this time you can try staying with a friend or traveling somewhere that helps you relax and take your mind off things.
It sounds like home has become a place of stress for you rather than comfort. Have you considered talking to a counselor at school? They might be able to offer some guidance on how to handle the situation or suggest resources that could help.
Feeling this way about going home must be really tough. If you feel safe doing so, maybe you could reach out to a family member or close friend who understands what you're going through and ask if you can stay with them for a while.
Your feelings are valid, and it's important to prioritize your mental health. You might find it helpful to explore online support groups or forums where you can connect with others who have similar experiences and get advice from them.
I'm sorry you're going through this. It might be worth considering whether there's an opportunity for you to do an internship or volunteer work during the summer. That way, you can gain experience and keep yourself occupied in a positive way.