It was a special anniversary for me yesterday, as it was exactly 19 years ago I moved to Newcastle.
Apart from a year in Cardiff back in 2006 to complete my postgrad diploma, I’ve been in Newcastle the rest of that time. It’s been a whirlwind of ups, downs, good times, mistakes and a whole bunch of other happenings. My Facebook memories can testify to that.
Is it just me, or do milestones like this tend to make you reflect and analyse everything?
It’s easy to hone in on the hiccups that have occurred along the way and all the things that didn’t quite work out in the end.
I’d like to focus more on the positives though – the amazing people I’ve met over the years, the friendships I’ve made, the places I have travelled to, and just generally all the wonderful experiences I’ve been lucky enough to enjoy.
I’ve come to realise that we actually have very little control over what happens to us in life.
We can choose where to live, what to study, which job to apply for, and all those other key ‘life’ decisions, but it’s all those unexpected opportunities and people we cross paths with that will ultimately have the biggest impact on us.
I’d say the surprises and all the bits we don’t plan for can bring us the most fulfilment.
They’re the people or moments we never predicted or knew that we wanted, and as they were never anticipated in the first place - they don’t disappoint. Well, at first, anyway…
When my sister and mum drove me down to Newcastle that day to help me move into my flat with five other freshers, I could never have dreamed that I would still be living here in 2020. And although the city has remained a constant in my life, everything else has been anything but!
I’m only a few years off turning 40, but sometimes I still feel like that shy 18-year-old girl who first moved here, trying to find her way in life, figure herself out, and get her head around the Geordie accent!
Am I where I want to be 19 years on? Honestly, I’d say no. But that’s not necessarily a bad thing. It’s just different to how I imagined it would be.
Would I change anything, if I could? I firmly believe that whatever decision we make, in that moment it’s 100% the right decision for us based on our personal circumstances, outlook and feelings. So I don’t think we should ever feel regret when something doesn’t work out as we had originally hoped. Wanting to erase something from our past would change the person we are today.
I still love Newcastle very much and see my future here.
I have to confess though, thinking ahead to what the next five or 10 years might hold is both exciting and scary. I have a map of sorts in my head as to what I’d like to accomplish, but for the time-being I’m trying to focus on the present and not wish my life away too quickly.
I guess all I can do is continue to muddle through (anyone else feel like they’re a fraudster 99.9% of the time and not actually a proper adult yet?!) and keep making what I believe are the right decisions for me, in whatever situation I find myself in.
Everything else is just serendipity.
September 9 - 14 mixtape
Quote of the week
This quote popped up on my Instagram feed last night and it feels rather fitting! If today doesn’t turn out how you’d imagined - there’s always tomorrow and a chance to start all over again.
Instagram of the week
Yep, it’s a shameless plug for my blog’s Instagram profile, where you’ll discover exactly why I love living in Newcastle so much! Here I am, with a rum cocktail in hand, enjoying bottomless brunch at the weekend. You’ll also find photos of the city and my other food and drink adventures - look out for some pics from Hibou Blanc later this week!