When I close my eyes, I can’t believe that a month ago I spent the day in our closet laughing, crying, talking, and reminiscing with Laura and Theodora.
One month ago Bo and I climbed the stairs to our new home in Geneva, Switzerland bearing 8 large suitcases filled with clothing, bedding, shoes, running gear, and a few other things that at the time I considered to be essential for living until my air and sea shipments arrived in Switzerland.
I don’t recommend listening to Lifehouse or Oasis on the Revolve Sunday Morning Spotify list when making a realization like this.
It may just result in tears.
But then, a moment later, I realize that tears are natural but they are more from an emotional stand point. A lot has happened in a month. But, I have very little, if anything, to cry about. Sure, every moment isn’t puppies, peonies, and rose. People have asked how things “really” are outside of happy Instagram pictures. Seriously, they are going better than I could have imagined 90% of the time. 10% of the time I miss my family, friends, husband, and New York like crazy. I miss Sunday night dinners with Meg or random workout dates in the city with friends. I miss my work buddies. I hate that friends have to think whether texting and/or calling me will result in crazy phone bills. I miss peanut butter. But, that is seriously a maximum of 10% of the time.
Let’s focus on the other 90%. If you told me I would meet two other American gals who are or have just gone through the exact same emotions I’m going through right now within weeks of moving here, I would have called you a crazy optimist.
I found a running partner who is a morning person and lives less than a quarter mile away. My friends who are locals have been more helpful than I could have ever imagined. I mean seriously, have you ever taken a document to your office and asked someone to read it because you can’t translate four pages of a legal document that is in French? Moving to a new city has been so humbling as I have no idea where to go for happy hour or much less a simple dinner with friends. Luckily, I have colleagues who have turned into friends and are willing to answer emails and text messages at all hours. My air shipment arrived on the exact date the company predicted and even better, my very organized husband spent half a day unpacking it and creating a system while I was at work. So sure, there are ups and downs and moments that just make me laugh out loud but at the end of the day, I can’t really complain about the transition at the one month point.
Yesterday I saw this quote yesterday on a blog post and immediately shared it with Bo and Theodora because it really puts into words this crazy journey we’re experiencing.
So there you go, life isn’t perfect right now but the Instagram, blog posts, Twitter, and Facebook posts are all pretty true, other than the cultural adjustments which are pretty normal and the few other things that have humbled me.
Thank you for being here and continuing to read! You all are one of my many support networks!
This warms my heart. Love, the girl who loved that you brought three kinds of PB for our marathon morning.
So thrilled you are loving it so much. The struggles are normal, and its amazing that there is so much positive to outweigh them!
I am so very proud of you, my daughter. Tears swelled in my eyes as I read your post. You are having an amazing opportunity..your multitude of feelings are expected and normal. With only 10% in the down slope, you are doing remarkably well.
Love this post and love your blog! It’s great to see people live their lives to the fullest. My husband and I have been discussing a move to Europe for a few years, and your story has really inspired me to try and get things going. I’d regret it if we didn’t at least try to make it happen. I am happy that things are working out for you 🙂
Thank you so much!
So glad things are going better for you! Did you move there for work?
I’m glad that you enjoy the place you’re living and that you’ve found friends already. Even when we start great, new things, the things we left behind can still get us feeling a little down sometimes.
Amen! That’s exactly my feeling Caroline! Thanks!
SO glad that you are enjoying this adventure! Especially only one month in. Things can only get better, right? 🙂
Exactly! Thanks Jen 🙂
stock up on PB when you’re in London, we have plenty!
One day very soon, when you are filling out yet more paperwork in French, you will look back at your first month and marvel at how far you guys have come. It’s a huge adjustment, give yourself some time.
Enjoy this adventure. Looks like you are having a great time with friends. x
You can buy PB at Coop in Switzerland – the brand is Barney’s Best! My boyfriend loves it but he doesn’t really have a sweet tooth, so he eats it meat and cheese… I cringe and slather his mom’s homemade confiture on it :).
Congrats on the 1st month! You’re doing really well!
This is why people keep coming back here 🙂 What a great perspective on a HUGE life event! I can sit here and drool over your amazing pictures (because they are beautiful!) . . . but what you are going through is so much more than we see in those images! I know you will walk away from this with a million amazing stories, but sometimes the journey to get there is tough!
I am so happy to hear how we’ll it is all going! You are going through a pretty incredible experience that not many people get too!!