As I stood looking out on Canisbay Lake in Algonquin Provincial Park last Saturday I literally had to pinch myself. I couldn’t help but exclaim out loud. “I live here, I live HERE”.
After almost two years of our expat life I’m finally starting to feel more content with our new lives, dare I even say settled? The bad bits are still there of course but the bouts of homesickness are now becoming less severe and shorter. Chatting with my family on skype now seems as normal as popping round for a cup of tea would have felt two years ago.
It’s been quite a journey to get this far and I admit there has been many a time when I wanted to get off the expat emotional roller coaster, I wanted to throw my hands up in surrender and say ‘I give up, I can’t cope with living in a different continent to my family and friends’. There are still days when I would give anything to have Sunday dinner at my parents house surrounded by family or have a glass of wine or five with my friends and chat into the early hours.
As I stood on that beach looking at that spectacular place, that is only a couple of hours from our new home, I began to reflect on our journey and how far we have come. Little remains of our former lives now and for the most part that is not a bad thing. I don’t miss the days of 12 hours in the office and trying to juggle the needs of our business with the needs of our boys. I don’t miss barely keeping up with the housework or running out in the middle of sports day to take a call from an important client. I am a ‘stay at home mum’ right now, I am there to take the boys to school and pick them up afterwards. All four of us have dinner together every single night. We are relaxed and calm and spend more time together than ever before.
I have discovered more about myself in the last two years than I ever thought possible, when you live outside of your comfort zone your strengths and weaknesses become so apparent. I have surprised myself with my own bravery and realized I can live perfectly well without constant reassurance from my nearest and dearest. I have become more assertive and more decisive.
The boys are blossoming in a newfound confidence. Something that happens with migrant kids is they develop skills to cope with change and the experience of living in different cultures broadens their horizons.
Emigrating was the toughest decision of my life but it has been the most exhilarating journey
Living the expat life is a weird thing – I have been here for 25 years now – I’ve lived more of my life here than I have in the UK and the difficulties/upset etc that I used to feel have practically disappeared – but every now and then it can still jump up and bite me on the backside – http://kathrynslittleblog.blogspot.it/2011/04/it-came-from-nowhere.html – . Skype etc has made such a difference!
Oh my lordy, what a beautiful view! You certainly live in a very lovely place! My brother emigrated to the USA nearly 14 years ago and there isn’t a day that goes by without us wishing he were closer. But I know he is leading a wonderful life and enjoying it hugely – just you are!
Thanks for linking up!
Hi Lou!Im really glad that you are beginning to settle,it must have been hard to make the decision to emigrate but wow that lake looks so nice!And the family time obviously is the best thing ever!
I am constantly amazed by the beauty of where you live, I can understand the home sickness though. I have never lived in a different town to my mum, if I did emigrate she’d probably come with me! hehe x
This was such a great post to read as it is reassuring to know when I get to my expat life things will not always go smoothly but things do get better and you will learn things about yourself that take you from strength to stength.
Thanks for sharing.
♡ Molly
it looks beautiful honey xx
Oh, what a great post. I’m not quite there yet, and we still plan to go home at some point… (?!) But I can completely relate to the difference in pace and family life for the kids. Life is calmer here for us – although I really miss the drinks and chats with friends too 🙂 And what a fabulous view!
I am so glad that things are all falling into place for you and your routine is starting to become the norm. We are moving a 2 hour drive away from my family and I am already starting to worry about how I am going to cope – just need to come back to this post every so often xx Thanks for linking x
Just a lovely pic Lou xx
Just found your blog and really enjoyed your post. I am a Canadian who moved to London. I agree it is quite a roller coaster ride – exhilarating journey is a wonderful way of putting it. Glad you are settling in.
That photo is amazing. I am so happy that you and your boys are settling in well!
Thank you for linking up with The Weekend Blog Hop
Hope to see you again on Saturday
Laura x x x
Well that lake simply looks stunning! Sounds like you have been on an enormous journey. Very glad you are now starting to feel the benefits.
Your new life sounds blissful, I am in the process of winding down my business to concentrate on TC and another less stressful business! I love that photo too, so calming xx
I’m so glad you’re feeling more settled Lou and what a view!!! It must be such a contrast to what you were used to previously. Thank you for linking up to #whatsthestory
Stunning view, definately something wonderful to see regularly #whatsthestory
Such a beautiful photo.
Algonquin Provincial Park. I know it well and miss it desperately. I worked in the USA on a Summer Camp during the Nineties and spent some time in Toronto afterwards. We visited Algonquin regularly and spent time in a lakeside cottage. What a magical place. I would move there tomorrow if I could. London will always be my home, but lakeside Algonquin takes some beating. I think you have made an excellent choice… I look forward to your future posts with jealously. Best wishes…
What a lovely, moving post. The photograph is so calming – those waters are so still. What an incredible view.
I was also really moved by what you said about how living abroad has really challenged you, and how it has increased your self-reliance. I’m not sure I would be brave enough to make a move like that, despite always wanting to.
This is so thought-provoking, thank you for sharing it with us xx
Oh Algonquin!!!! How I miss thee!!! You sound like you are settling in really well and ofcourse you will still feel a bit home sick.. 20 years later and I still feel it. Your blog is making me homesick!LOL Keep posting!!!
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