The Experience

Sometimes in life we don’t know what we want, our fears & insecurities skew our visions. We think we want something but we’re not sure? - Well I hope I’m not alone in this. - Every situation has to be weighed up until the final decision is made. Do we? Or don’t we? Moving to London was definitely something I’ve always had in mind; it’s always been a dream however I never thought it would become reality so quickly. I was scared at first. Scared of the change, scared I wouldn’t adapt to my new way of life, scared I wouldn’t be able to find a job, scared I wouldn’t make any friends, scared I wouldn’t like the city, scared I wouldn’t stay in contact with close friends, scared it would strain mine & my boyfriends relationship to the limit, scared of every situation.

However as scared as I may have been it didn’t stop me. I did it. I adapted fairly quickly to my new very independent life style, no mummy to cook me dinners & wash my clothes, no daddy to pick me up or drop me off whenever I felt like it. No car to jump in, if I just fancied going for a drive to see my boyfriend or friends. No one I cherished close by, but that’s how you get the most out of the experience. You have to put yourself out there! I reapplied for my job at B&Q in London & was thankfully successful, not only did I get the job, I only was stuck to working on a Wednesday so I could come home to Devon whenever I liked. Win. Also to my surprise made a bunch of lovely friends that made the whole process easier. When you’re hundreds of miles away from the people that mean everything to you, you have to learn that it’s not a case of having friends at home and no friends here, it’s about getting to know people and not being scared, especially when everyone is in the same position. London it’s self is full of perks & downfalls, I can’t get over how easy it is to gain access to everywhere. If I want anything, I bet you it’s on the same road as I live on and if not it’s probably a few tubes stops away. Yes the tube is daunting at first, when you’re 5ft2 & you have men ramming at you with suitcases and women bashing you with their handbags, but you get used to that. So don’t worry. I’m learning to fight my place on the tube; I’m a proper Londoner now. Oh and never stand on the left hand side of escalator because you’re just asking for trouble. Also I’m never sure whether to smile at people on London transport or just to do the standard, I have no soul kind of look. To be honest with you 99.9% of people go for the second one, however it does make my day when I see someone happy on the tube. It’s that rare. Talking of weird occurrences I was especially looked at weirdly when I said thanks to the bus driver, never again. Apparently Londoners don’t do manners, apart from when they sorry when they purposely walk into you. Just makes no sense if you ask me.

Without moving to London I wouldn’t have been able to gain these experiences, shopping on Oxford Street, okay some of you may not find that very amazing but to the girls who love shopping like me, oh it’s so worth it. Going on the London Eye with my boy for Valentines Day for the first time at night with the pretty lights and going to the theatre in Convent Gardens. Oh and experiencing TGI Fridays, godly. I do recommend going if you have one near you. I also wouldn’t have met some lovely ladies who I have thoroughly enjoyed playing netball with for the past few weeks. I wouldn’t have been able to go to the London Aquarium to see the fishies. London has so much to offer, so much to do. And I’m only just getting started. Although my first year is coming to a near end, I am sure my second year will have some more surprises install for me. Not only did I build up the courage to move miles away from my home county. I had to move away my boyfriend, family & best friends. University truly shows you who care about you and who will support you wherever you are. I was nervous I’d come home to no friends, however that really wasn’t the case. Thank god. They have all been right behind me. Of course I miss all of you dearly and there are days where I wish I could just click my fingers and I could be with you. But I think.. I truly believe for once in my life I’m doing the right thing. It’s good to do things you’re scared of, because really why be scared? There’s nothing to fear. And this is a conclusion I’m finally coming to grips with, do what makes you happy, take every opportunity in your stride and remember never fear. As long as you’re happy and you’re doing what you believe is right, go for it.