Coming from a small town, where everything is a short walk or a quick drive, where you are bound to meet somebody you know on your travels, things were simple. I had the comfort of my parents being there and doing everything for me, being lucky enough to have horses and not have to worry about anything. Living a care-free life…
The time came back in 2013 when my A-level grades determined where I was going to go to university. A apprehensive and stressful time, I knew wherever it was, it was meant to be.
Moving to London was the most daunting thing, from little old Bournemouth to the big smoke. What was I going to do?! I was always a timid, quiet and shy sort of person, that never really liked to push the boat out and try new experiences. I was happy in my own little bubble, the way I was used to. Being invisible through most of my school years, with a couple of best friends to get me through the days it would have to change, going to university and making a fresh new set of friends.
The first six to eight months living in London was hell. I missed home immensely, it was the first time I ever lived on my own for more than a couple of days. Being away from my horses, my parents, my bubble, it was a stressful time for me. I could not run into my safety net anymore, but it was at this point I knew things had to change. I could not be this timid little boy anymore. I needed to grow, and I could not be in a better place to do so!
I started to find what made me happy. First things were fashion, coming from Bournemouth where everyone follows the trends wearing nike trainers, joggers, khaki parkas and skinny jeans, I never really allowed myself to expand my horizon and find my style. London allowed me to find that. Everyone is dressed so differently, I could dress how I wanted and felt comfortable and not stand out from the crowd.
I was starting to build a foundation. I started to feel more comfortable in myself, which naturally brought out the hidden confidence in myself. Making new friends, slowly I built up a group of university friends. From what started from four of us, who naturally gelled together, to a entire group of ten. Things were looking up already.
Back in Bournemouth, people spend most their weekends out in town clubbing and drinking as there really is not much else to do in terms of socialising at night. The experience of nights out back at home allowed me to compare it to London, realising how rubbish my nights out at home actually were and that London night life was a million times better, especially with good company. My self esteem grew, as random people complimented my outfits and overall look, I must have been doing something right?
Along side university, London made a big impact on my blog. I had inspiration left, right and centre. Trying to find what I enjoyed writing about and discovering my voice behind it all. Four things naturally fit in with my life and all I found through living in London. Lifestyle, there were so many more fun things to do around London and experiences that definitely felt the need to share with my readers on my blog. Food, with the millions of different and unique restaurants that were not a part of a chain and being a huge food lover, I found new places that I loved (and hated!). Fashion, a finally found my niche and the look I enjoyed dressing too, which meant sharing my unique style and inspiring others to do so too. Grooming/beauty, when moving I found that your image and your overall appearance was an important thing – you really have to up your game and look the best above the rest. This where my love for beauty products and grooming methods allowed me to bring out the best of what I already had.
More opportunities, new experiences came through blogger meet-ups. Through networking, I found myself making new blogging friends that had the same interests and mind sets as me. I was able to meet up for lunch with people I had been talking to over Twitter. If you had told me that I would be doing so a few years ago, I would have said you were crazy and talking nonsense.
Day by day, hour by hour, I find myself falling for the city I was once scared to live in. The intimidating large city is now what feels like home. I am so damn lucky to have ended up here, for if it was not for London, I doubt I would be the confident and bubbly person I am today. Many lessons have been learnt all and experiences have allowed me to become bolder and stronger.
I am eternally greatful and owe so much back to this city, thank you London.
Isn’t London scarily wonderful!
It really is! I’m so blessed that my destiny was to end up in London. It all really happens for a reason…
Great post! It’s so weird how the environment around you can help you as a person. I moved from a small town to a busy place near Birmingham a few years back and noticed the difference…basically the same as this! xxx
Thanks Chloe! It makes you realise that you have potentially lost most of your life through insecurities, when deep down you have all this confidence just waiting to find it’s way to the top… it just needs a bit of help.
You inspire me more than you’ll ever know, and reading this makes me so so proud of you <3
I'm also super excited to move and experience all of this with you xoxoxo
That means so much to me Lucy! I literally can’t wait for you to come. 🙂
What a lovely lovely post 🙂 I think London saved me too, coming from Norfolk I felt like a very small fish in a huge pond. It made me grow up so much though and made me so much more confident. I always remember what my Mum told me when I first told her I was moving to the capital – everyone should live in London for a while when they’re young – it’s great character building!
Love London 🙂
Chloe x
newgirlintoon.co.uk
Thank you Chloe! That means a lot. I do agree, parents always know best! Moving to London has been one of my best decisions and I will never regret it.
Great post, I love reading more about the personal side to people! I grew up in a small town and went to a very campus based university, it was actually when I lived in Leeds for a year that was the first time I lived in a big city. I felt like the country mouse in a big town!! And Leeds is nothing compared to London. Though I’d lived close to London and went out there alot I never lived there so when I first moved there I felt quite overwhelmed.
I’ve now lived here nearly ten years and I love the fact that I’m still finding new places and meeting new people especially through my blog 🙂 So lovely to have met you and I hoe that you keep discovering new things and having more adventures!
Lots of love,
Angie
SilverSpoon London
Thank you Angie! 🙂 The city boasts something that even you or I cannot express, only feel. This place has brought many people together and i’m greatful that you were one of those people.
What a beautiful post – thank you for sharing. I have lived in London for many years across a variety of locations, but I’m still finding news things to do and see all the time, it really is such an amazing city!
Thank you so much! It really is… they say when you’re tired of London, you are tired of life!
I love London for all those reasons. You are free to express yourself and be who you want to be in London. Although to outsiders it seems intimidating it really is one if the least judgemental places. And the number of things to do here would literally take me 10 life times to get around!! X
Once you’ve made your way in, it is so much easier to accept that it is not judgemental and actually a fun easy place to live. Oh yes, I agree with you on that but it keeps us busy and always looking forward to stuff!
What a lovely post – I just stumbled across your blog today. I’m from Bournemouth too 🙂 and also now live in London. Although I did live in a couple of different areas in between. There is quite a difference between the two places, but personally that was one of the reasons I always want to work/live in London, there are endless opportunities everywhere! 🙂
Ceri
October Eleven
Awww, thank you! I agree, I feel like London is the New York of America.
This is one of my favorites! I am so proud of you for coming to London, finding your way, starting your blog and becoming the person you are. I’m glad our paths brought us together in London, and am truly happy to call you one of my friends. xoxo
You make my heart melt Kelly. I’m so glad our paths crossed too, it’s the start of what will be a long and fun adventure together!
This is such a well written and beautiful post to read. Reading through this brought back all the memories of my first year at university and all of the new discoveries I made and the confidence I gained through striking out on my own. It’s so inspiring to read posts like these because you can just feel the joy and the passion for what you’re doing radiating off the page, and I’m so glad I recently found your blog a few weeks back through Twitter, I’ve really been enjoying your posts! – Tasha
It feels so good to hear things like that Natasha. This was one of my quite personal posts, that I felt quite passionate about but I never knew this many people would enjoy it! I hope you keep enjoying my posts 🙂
You’re welcome and of course I will! 😀
What a great post! I’m still living at home and going to college, so it’s still scary for me to think about going out on my own but hearing your story and seeing how well you have adjusted and grown, it’s quite inspiring! (: Although I do still live at home, I’ve forced myself to come out of my shell and get more involved on campus. I think that combined with blogging has really helped boost my confidence. Again, great post!
Lots of Love,
Manpreet || Simply-M
Thank you Manpreet! Definitely, I think college/university is a brilliant time to find yourself and become more independent! Blogging is a great way of expressing how you feel through words, there is no better way!
Scary and hectic and fun and all of the above haha. There’s no other city like it.
It’s crazy, I never knew a city could offer so much! It’s incomparable.
I love this post! I can especially relate as I’m from Bournemouth too and dream of living in London 🙂
http://www.lunarlook.blogspot.co.uk
Thank you Nina, means a lot. I still love Bournemouth, but my heart has definitely been stolen by London for sure.