A double celebration, of sorts. I couldn’t for the LIFE of me work out what to share to celebrate my one-year Hong Kong anniversary. I mean, if I’m honest, I wanted to write a recap of my year but that would’ve taken approximately a year to write ;) And if I’m even more honest than that, I didn’t even imagine I’d last the year. Also, Halloween. Who else loves that ominous idea of someone booking my flight so I’d land on All Hallows Eve?
ANYWAY. One year. Like I mentioned earlier, I was due to move home to England this week. I’ve had so many people message me and demand to see me next week. About that…! And I’m still here, happily tapping away as people everywhere, outside my apartment, celebrate Halloween. I thought I’d share how I feel right now. I feel overwhelmed, I feel somewhat happy and content, I feel busy, I feel like I’m missing out on everybody’s lives at home. I mean, home is England, no?
2014 was the year of the lifestyle and 2015 was the year of the abroad blogger. We all upped sticks and travelled, moved, holidayed aplenty. I love these trends that seem to transpire in our community! It’s the year that we all collectively realised that sometimes there’s more to life than our four walls and borders and lipstick collections and organisation systems. Way more. I think a lot of people were surprised that I so easily left the country. I’m meek, mild, shy and often prefer to be swayed towards a particular direction instead of take charge. So with that in mind, coming here has been the best decision I ever made in a roundabout way.
When you live abroad, your friendships and relationships are strengthened tenfold. Time differences and sacred hours of overlap are like gold dust. WhatsApp is your new best friend and time travel jokes become a daily thing. Walks to go and buy milk become a mini adventure. Heck, a walk anywhere is an adventure. You say ‘yes’ to things you’d never dream of doing. That holiday feeling never leaves you.
So far, I’ve really enjoyed spending a year of my early twenties’ in this fast-paced, metropolitan concrete jungle of a city. If you’re ever ever given a chance to try living abroad, do it. I just had a little read through my Timehop and found the sweetest messages from my friends – including one from Gem that made me weep on the bus – and, you know what, a move abroad is kinda what I needed. A refresh and recap on what I want to be doing (i.e. not much of what I’m currently doing, LOL) and a harsh reminder that adventure and fun is best shared.
Happy one-year, Hong Kong! And happy Halloween*.
Wearing:
J.W. Anderson x Topshop bat jumper.
Crown & Glory glitter bear ears.
Rimmel Kate Moss Matte Lipstick in 107.
* What a mix-and-match post.
