Life as a Swede #5 – Changes

The weather in Stockholm is shifting and the curtain is starting to descend on what has been an absolutely splendid Summer in Sweden. As I glance over blog posts and photographs of the last 3 months, I feel incredibly humbled to have experienced such a perfect welcome to my new home. My first Swedish summer was absolutely jam-packed with positive and lovely memories that I will treasure for the rest of my life. 

And so now, it’s starting to change. August is drawing to a close, taking Summer with it. Most people have returned from vacation, the trains are fuller, the clouds are darker and more layers of clothing are being begrudgingly dragged out of wardrobes. Impending Winter is already on the tips of tongues and there’s a real sense of Autumn being a sort of ‘preparation before hibernation’ period. People (mainly expats) have already started asking me what my Survival Plan for Winter is, as if it’s more important than planning for Christmas. “Have you started stocking up on Vitamin D tablets yet?” “Tablets? No, no, you have to find your local sauna and book a session a week now!” “Guys, guys, it’s all about Bikram yoga. Every morning. I couldn’t have stayed here without it.” My work colleagues have already introduced me to the electric blankets and heat-packs they have in stored in the cupboards, reassuring me that it’s highly unlikely that I will become a Sheona-shaped ice cube whilst in the office over Winter, although I’m not so convinced…

Terrifying winter planning aside, with this change comes the general feeling of everyone being a bit more settled and getting back into their ‘real’ lives again. Some could find it a bit depressing… but I think it’s nice. 

I just realised today that during the 8 months that has made up 2016 so far, I have lived in London, packed up my life in London, spent 5 weeks in Australia, moved to Stockholm, moved to a second apartment in Stockholm and gone on lots of little trips to Portugal, various places around the UK and around Sweden. Plus, I moved here a day before Eurovision, which I think a small part of me is still recovering from. It will be a welcome change to stop and chill for a bit and actually focus on being here. To truly realise that this is my world now and feel what a real life in Stockholm is actually like… albeit whilst slowly freezing to my death.

Along with the weather comes the second recent change in my Swedish life. The fact that I’m now doing Stockholm on my own. 

The world got dramatically smaller with all the calls, texts and messages – it’s nice to be reminded that no matter where I am in the world, I can never feel lonely. Naturally, many friends and family members asked me what I was going to do now, and would I be coming home? I hadn’t even considered it. 

A relationship ending doesn’t change the fact that Stockholm, and Sweden in general, is absolutely fantastic. This is a city of innovation, youth and vibrance. And, while we give Swedes stick for sometimes being hard to get to know, kindness and support really are abundant here – something I’ve experienced an incredible amount of recently. 

Stockholm is big enough to feel lost in, but also small enough to feel warm (hopefully that continues!) and familiar. I love that the barista at Odenplan Waynes Coffee knows me and my order, even though we’ve never actually introduced ourselves. It’s wonderful that the waitress at Greasy Spoon and I are now friends and are learning Swedish together. I met my new Aussie mate a day before I was actually meant to meet her… on the tube… sat opposite each other…with only a facebook profile picture and a wave of confidence on her behalf to introduce herself. One of my pop idols from the early 2000s is now one of my best friends here and the new Swedish friends I’ve made are some of the most genuine people I’ve ever met. 

Why on earth would I leave this place?

A year ago, I never would have guessed I’d be living in Sweden. To be fair, I didn’t have much of an idea of where I’d be living at all, but Sweden was certainly not on my radar. But this move has been, and still is, such a pleasant life surprise and I really do feel (at the risk of sounding like a bra-less, tie-dyed hippy) that I’m meant to be here.

So, expect many more Swedish stories and many more Swedish adventures – we’ve only just begun! This funny little country is my funny little home now and I can’t wait to see what the next funny little chapter brings…although, probably investing in some woolen jackets might make the stay a bit more comfortable!

London – one month in…

Happy One Monthiversary, London! #relationship #love #bestboyfriendevs

I’m really feeling like this relationship could be the one, London. Not long after I met you, you set me up in Stratford (where I haven’t been mugged yet), introduced me to PG tips tea and within 48 hours gave me a raging hangover – you sure know how to show a girl a good time 😉

I must admit, you are a bit of a show pony. You were pretty keen to show off your flashy jazz bars, Westend shows, Rugby stadiums, live music venues, cool cinemas, cocktail bars, flower markets, food markets, vintage markets. But I’m happy I’ve been able to get a glimpse into your not-so-flashy vulnerability, too – that tube strike was a bit much and ‘coffee’ actually doesn’t mean anything to you, does it?

There have been a couple of obstacles we’ve had to overcome early in the relationship, as happens in any new budding romance. I’ve quickly had to developed ankles of titanium to deal with your uneven surface whilst wearing heels. I’ve learnt that the pace at which I walk was much too slow for the furious human wave that is the underground walkways. I’m also now confident that breaking into Fort Knox would be a walk in the park now that I’ve managed to open a UK bank account.

We’ve shared plenty of wonderful moments, like my first taste of hot cider in the Borough Market, making daisy chains in Green Park, singing karaoke in Soho, crying in Leicester Square after ‘Once the Musical’ and staying out all night simply because the tube re-opens at 6am. Ronnie Scott’s jazz bar is still the coolest place in you, London.

You do have quite the sense of humour, London. It’s a quality I find quite refreshing, but I’m starting to think we need to set some boundaries. The fact you’ve got me drunk 50% of the nights I’ve been here – funny. The weeklong chest infection I’ve had thanks to said nights of inebriation – not funny. The saxophone busker at Tottenham Court Road station playing the ‘Game of Thrones’ theme – freaken funny. The blasé attitude of the train conductor informing us that the train was delayed due to a ‘passenger being hit by train ahead’ – not funny.

You’re already changing me, London. Aside from a large portion of my diet consisting of Kirsty’s microwavable meals, I’m now a keen walker. I’m also now disappointed when I have to wait more than 4 minutes for a train and I’m delighted by a weather forecast of 18 degrees. Tourists now bother me (FFS, stick to the RIGHT on tube escalators – Christ, do they know nothing?!) and the fundamental items to have when leaving the house are now phone, wallet, keys and oyster card.

I can’t believe how many amazing, inspiring, hilarious and super intelligent friends you have that you’ve found a way to introduce me to. You’re certainly going out of your way to provide me with a premium London family and they are truly making my new home warm and fuzzy. My London family have provided me with copious amounts of laughter, hilarity, motivation and support. There’s also been a peppering of karaoke, pole dancing and even some sneaky pashes (…that’s allowed, right?)

Thank you, London, for making me feel like I’ve made the right decision to come here. Arriving with 30kgs of my world and growing it into some kind of survivable environment hasn’t been a walk in the park, but I can see this path is one that has had thousands of Australian shoes on it before and the walls are graffitied with hints and tips on how to make the journey a lot smoother.

Thank you for already challenging me and forcing me to open up to things I hadn’t considered before. Thank you for holding my hand through long train rides to job interviews in places I’d never been before. Thank you for the confidence and self-respect to say ‘no’ to jobs beneath me, and especially for helping me find one that is worth my while – I start in less than a week!!

Thank you for teaching me how to relax – something I didn’t think I’d learn in a city famous for it’s aggressive pace, bustling streets and long working hours. It’s a wonderful thing being on a train for 30 minutes with no phone reception. I now read, I think, I watch, I breathe.

I totes hope you’re as much of a fan of me as I am of you, London. I’m major crushing on you and I hope this continues into a passionate long-term thing. The more I get to know you, the more excited I get about hanging out with you a little longer. It’s still early days of course, but I have a good feeling about this one.

Oh, and you’re meeting mum in a month… have I mentioned that already?

#bigsteps #totesofficial