IT'S incredible to think that this little blog-o-mine has been around for 5 years! It's always during these blogiversaries that I realize how quickly time goes by.
When I started this blog, I was taking my first official step away from my magazine art directing career for good. I was living as an expat in Ireland and I had decided to give up the freelance work I was doing and focus on my newly discovered handbag designing business full-time. No one could have predicted where time would lead me ~ moving to Dubai was certainly never on my radar ~ or that I would have to shelf my handbag business while there due to logistical problems.
Now that my expat days are over, I have to admit moving back to Canada has definitely been an adjustment. I had heard many times that the longer you live away as an expat, the more difficult it is to readjust to life in your home country. I didn't really believe it at the time, but after 7.5 years away and now after almost 8 months being back, I understand what people were talking about. I think it's been less of an issue for my guy ~ he's been so busy with work all along ~ but still, old familiar things have felt foreign and it's been weird discovering the changes that have happened while we've been away ~ new plastic-feeling currency, no more pennies, tv shows and movies we had never heard of, cities exploding in size with new neighbourhoods, new stores, a new stat holiday in February...etc. My brain forgets to readjust all the lingo from overseas to local lingo like pants, pop, gas, cab, cell, loonie, etc. And I've had to remind myself that this is not just another visit and I don't need to stock up on items I can't find overseas to load up my suitcases, our house is really ours and not just another rental and it's ok for me to change whatever I want.
But the biggest adjustment? I can pursue whatever I want now. I think this has had me the most stumped of all. Do I revive my handbag business or start something new? Do I go back to my old career or savour not working in an office? Do I take a course? Do I start a new hobby? What about my blog? Being an expat gave me plenty to blog about while I explored new places, new cultures, new hobbies. Now that I'm back, finding topics to blog about have felt dull and uninspired ~ hence the sporadic posts ~ and I've felt a bit like I've been floating about, unsure as to where I'm headed. I'm sure I'll eventually figure it out. I know that everyone goes through blips like this so it's nothing new. But for now, thanks for so patiently sticking around and for still popping in to see what's new. I'll try to say 'hello' a little more often! xo
lisa
[via houseofturquoise]
6 comments:
Congratulations on your anni! I so wish we lived in the same town - you wrote your post as if it were my own. So glad you keep writing :)
I too have lived abroad and found it a culture shock coming back. I remember my husband's company at the time offering us a reverse culture shock workshop. And I thought, how silly is that? We were moving back "home", but I was so wrong, it was an adjustment. We didn't realize that in those few years away we adapted some of the bits and pieces of the American south and coming back to the liberal west coast of Canada was eye opening, despite my growing up here!
Good luck with figuring things out. It is exciting and daunting at the same time! Hugs.
Happy blogiversary! I would have never thought coming back home would be an adjustment but I can see how its been a challenge for you. But you have a clean slate! How exciting. I'll keep reading along to see where the road takes you.
Happy blogiversary! My 4th came and went, and I didn't even realize it… ha! You are so creative and talented. You'll find the right thing for you. Looking forward to hearing about what it is :) Hang in there!
Hello Lisa, happy 5th anniversary! I do hope you keep writing, as I love you blog. I am convinced you will find your niche, you are so creative. I am sure it is hard to slip back into Canadian life when you have experienced so much, but I feel certain it will be of great benefit to you in the future.Keep the faith. With much love, Linda x
Hello and Happy blogversary! I remember to adjustment and I totally agree it was so different blogging being an expat everything was new and exciting and different...my life now in WNY other than the brutal winter is so not blog worthy! Plus now I work full-time and have a 1 hour commute so I'm pretty spent every night. I miss the connection with blogging. My family out of state misses hearing and seeing things. Maybe some day I'll return. Hope all is well stay warm!
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