It's that time of year again, when college leavers and university graduates will begin to cast their thoughts to their ever-nearing future. The jump between adolescence and adulthood is a weird one, you've just come of age and yet you are expected to make huge life decisions, when all you really want to do is experience the world and enjoy yourself. Not to scare anyone reading this, but the choices you make during the pivotal years can affect the rest of your life. It just doesn't make sense to me, and it doesn't seem fair to have to make these momentous decisions at such a young age.
The majority of my Instagram followers are between the ages of nineteen-to-twenty-four, so I feel as though this blog post will be specifically helpful to them. These five years in our lives are so exciting / crazy / fun. I feel as though I am a completely different person now - to the girl I was when I was nineteen.
This blog post is dedicated to those of you who may be debating the idea of moving out or if you have already moved out. Maybe you're beginning to think of leaving home for college or university, or perhaps you may have the opportunity to move cities for a new job. Whatever your reason, I hope that hearing someone else's experience about moving to a new city will help you!
Fresh out of university, I decided to up sticks and move to Manchester, a city I had only visited twice in my life, why? Because I wanted to challenge myself. When my brother needed a new roommate in Manchester I nonchalantly signed myself up. To be honest, I was still caught up in the post-graduate whirlwind, I hadn't given much thought to the fact I would be leaving everything (bar my brother, of course) in the North East...
The very next day after I graduated, I went backpacking around Croatia, I was able to avoid all of my responsibilities, however when I returned home, I landed back down to earth with a thud. With mounting rent payments on my flat in Manchester, no income and multiple job rejections, I had my first wobble about my decision to move. Fortunately a few applications later, I managed to find myself a job within the field I wanted to be in.
Now, just to go back to my reference of 'the wobble' and no before you ask, I'm not talking about the dance move. The wobble is something I call the "shitwhathaveIdone" thoughts which swirl around your mind and consume your thoughts, a few days after you've committed to something. I've actually had quite a few messages from people on Instagram who have moved for university and who have experienced 'the wobble'. I think everyone will experience these 'wobble' thoughts after the initial excitement of something wares off. For instance students I've spoken to has experienced 'the wobble' post-freshers week during university. The scenario looks like this: you most likely have a bad case of freshers flu, your washing hasn't been done, you're beginning to get coursework and you're starting to morph into a microwave meal. The little voice in your head will sing - "shitwhathaveIdone".
My first months of living in a new city were the worst. I didn't know anyone, I was living in a city filled with thousands of people, yet I had never felt so isolated and alone. Whilst Manchester has provided me with an abundance of opportunities for growth, this city has also challenged me to breaking point. I've felt the loneliest I have ever felt here. It's made me grow up so much, and has taught me so many lessons which I'll never forget. My 'wobble' turned into an earthquake. This post isn't all doom and gloom though. I'm writing this now, sitting in my local coffee shop, feeling good about living in this city - A phrase I thought I would never catch myself writing. No matter how bad things are, they do get better, I honestly believe that. And so what if you moved out, knew it wasn't right for you, so moved back home. I know many people who have being brave enough to simply say 'this move isn't right for me'. Don't be afraid, you haven't failed, you haven't disappointed anyone or yourself. During my first months of living in Manchester, I would wish and wish to be brave enough to just call it quits and go home. But I wouldn't let myself because I felt as if I was a failure. I understood that no-one was forcing me to live here, however I felt as if I couldn't return home.
My jewels were gifted from Ania Haie. Oh how much I love this brand! Every piece of theirs is sterling silver and it's all so reasonably priced. Each piece is easy to layer, making accessorising any outfit effortless. I'm a huge fan of this three necklace combo with my scooped neck white tee, I know this collection will be my go-to during summer months.
If you follow me on Instagram, you'll already know how much I love these jeans, I really haven't stopped wearing them since the day I bought them! H&M have really come through this season. In my quest to become more sustainable, I'm trying to buy less and to buy well. I only buy pieces I know I will wear time and time again. I've never been one to buy pieces to only get that perfect gram' pic - I've always only bought items which I truly love. Lately I've been turning down collaborations with fashion brands, because they don't align with my mantra. It doesn't make sense to own more clothes which I know I'll never wear again, simply for an Instagram ad.
I picked up my pistachio blazer in the Topshop sale, little did I know this hue would become the must-have spring shade! I couldn't believe my look when I saw the sale sticker, it was only £10! I was then cheeky enough to ask for student discount, which made it only £9. I'm wearing the blazer paired with a simple white tee from Mango, my trusty white Asos trainers, Asos sunglasses and my pastel pink Topshop crossbody bag.
If you're playing with the proposition of moving cities / towns / jobs, my advice would be to just go for it! You'll never know unless you try, and you may regret it if you don't give it a go. If you've made the move and you love it - that's great, if you've made the move and you don't love it - that's okay too, at least you've gave it a bloody good go and that is the most you can expect of yourself.
"Que será, será"
S x
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