I've just come across your writing, and want to say thank you! The section here about making change in your 30s compared to your 20s deeply resonates with me. I'm 33 and can feel I'm in a season of massive changes, and it all does feel so different to the changes in my 20s. I've moved cities, countries, schools, relationships - but yes, change in this decade feels different. Thank you for putting this into words.
Hi Laura, I found your work through the On Substack interview. Thanks so much for sharing your story, it's so helpful!
Just wanted to say I moved from California to Sweden at 32, and am glad I went for it! The best piece of advice I got was: for the first year in a new country, your task is just to be present. Don't be trying to assess if you like or not, if things are better or worse than where you were before, if it was a good decision, if it's the right fit. Your first impressions are not the right basis to make those judgments, so just enjoy the ride and try saying yes to what pops up for now. You can start evaluating after you've more fully landed next year. Wish you all the best!
Kimberly, I have moved countries (and within the US which feels like it contains many countries) many times, and I have never thought of taking this approach. A year to just be and not judge or compare would have changed my experience dramatically. It would have taken so much pressure off of deciding whether it was the right or wrong move. Thank you for sharing!
@laurakennedy1 I also found this through the substack interview and love how you share the complex, emotional experience of your work and life. It reminds me of this James Baldwin quote I just read: 'The price one pays for pursuing any profession or calling is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side.' And I think once we see the ugly side, we have to decide if it is a system we can still thrive in, if our integrity can remain intact (enough?).
And notions! don't we all have this construct as a way to mask our envy, confusion, fear of being left behind....Anyway, this was beautiful. Best of luck with your move, at the very least you will know yourself differently, perhaps more fully. Or at least I have always felt that with trying on different lives in different places.
@laurakennedy1, thanks to @russellnohelty I have just discovered your writing and I love your content and style. I have subscribed, though I am afraid I can’t pay just yet.
The fact that ‘notions’ is shortened is hilarious, and I realised the same is true when we talk about someone putting on ‘airs’ as in ‘airs and graces’. It has the same meaning as notions, and in my youth someone with airs was teased mercilessly.
I left my highland village in Scotland aged 19, and I was considered to be full of airs, and that London Town would swallow me up and spit be out, tarnished and worthless. When my best friend followed me a year later, my reputation dropped still further.
I have lived in London for nearly 40 years, apart from 5 years living abroad (that caused more ructions at home). I have loved it, but now agree with J that the “constantly shifting essence of the city and its tendency to render everyone urgent and erratic.”
Which is why we have started to plan a move to my homeland. But the Highlands are too quiet and lonely, so we will go to Edinburgh. I confess I am “in a bit of a twitter”. You just have to take it step by step.
Good luck in Australia. I am so glad you will continue writing, though I know writing will remain a lifeline and comfort during the ups and downs of your relocation.
Great article. Great courage. Aperigraha, to let go of that which no longer serves! That is an amazing process.
At first it seems that letting go of the 'stuff' the over-fat stuffing we have plied hard to pile around ourselves is hard. Yes, it is. And yet it becomes child's play compared to letting go of the past beliefs and truths that no longer serve! Welcome to the journey!
Namaste and great good journey towards the self that will be residing (is) with you in a new land.
Your delightful essay has particular resonance with me because it echoes my own recent journey as well. In 2021 I was given a choice between continuing to work as a near slave at a job that was challenging and enjoyable or jump into the unknown. My partner and I jumped and left Canada under the fascinating and difficult circumstances of covid lockdowns and travel bans. I'm now residing in Mexico, the last place on earth I would have expected to find myself. My partner is currently living in her home city of Osaka Japan. In late 2022 I applied to live here permanently as a refugee on the grounds of medical tyranny. After that was rejected I submitted a detailed appeal of the ways in which Canada had (has?) become very much like Germany in the early 1930s. Fascinating to see the parallels.
And I've been writing about that and other stuff while waking up to the shadow behind the mask of our society.
All the best, with peace, respect, love and gratitude.
I moved to Australia in my 30s. It’s been at times immensely difficult, but also freeing in a way I’d never expected. Complete reinvention. One day you’re being threatened with total career destruction by some maniacal City type and the next (well two years later) you’re driving down a 12 mile beach in Western Australia, the Southern Ocean metres away, a former Neighbours star driving in front and you think, f***, I really did it.
That was only two years in. After a decade I still pinch myself. It’s a country that inspires awe, from its First Nations culture to the sheer breadth of the landscapes, and the light.
wishing you all the happiness on this new adventure Laura. I've done a cross the world move 3x now and each time it was the right thing. There's a big world out there to be experienced, good on you for following your gut and heart! X
Laura, you are Irish, you will love Australia and she will adopt you immediately. All you need is sunscreen and words. Good luck and please stay in touch. C
Sure I will of course stay in touch, Clyde! All my friends will be on the internet until I make at least one in Australia. I’m very pale and hostile so I don’t love my chances tbh 😂
I've just come across your writing, and want to say thank you! The section here about making change in your 30s compared to your 20s deeply resonates with me. I'm 33 and can feel I'm in a season of massive changes, and it all does feel so different to the changes in my 20s. I've moved cities, countries, schools, relationships - but yes, change in this decade feels different. Thank you for putting this into words.
Thanks Halena.
Hi Laura, I found your work through the On Substack interview. Thanks so much for sharing your story, it's so helpful!
Just wanted to say I moved from California to Sweden at 32, and am glad I went for it! The best piece of advice I got was: for the first year in a new country, your task is just to be present. Don't be trying to assess if you like or not, if things are better or worse than where you were before, if it was a good decision, if it's the right fit. Your first impressions are not the right basis to make those judgments, so just enjoy the ride and try saying yes to what pops up for now. You can start evaluating after you've more fully landed next year. Wish you all the best!
Kimberly, I have moved countries (and within the US which feels like it contains many countries) many times, and I have never thought of taking this approach. A year to just be and not judge or compare would have changed my experience dramatically. It would have taken so much pressure off of deciding whether it was the right or wrong move. Thank you for sharing!
@laurakennedy1 I also found this through the substack interview and love how you share the complex, emotional experience of your work and life. It reminds me of this James Baldwin quote I just read: 'The price one pays for pursuing any profession or calling is an intimate knowledge of its ugly side.' And I think once we see the ugly side, we have to decide if it is a system we can still thrive in, if our integrity can remain intact (enough?).
And notions! don't we all have this construct as a way to mask our envy, confusion, fear of being left behind....Anyway, this was beautiful. Best of luck with your move, at the very least you will know yourself differently, perhaps more fully. Or at least I have always felt that with trying on different lives in different places.
Thank you Whitney. This is such a generous, deeply considered comment.
Thanks Kimberley that’s great advice!
@laurakennedy1, thanks to @russellnohelty I have just discovered your writing and I love your content and style. I have subscribed, though I am afraid I can’t pay just yet.
The fact that ‘notions’ is shortened is hilarious, and I realised the same is true when we talk about someone putting on ‘airs’ as in ‘airs and graces’. It has the same meaning as notions, and in my youth someone with airs was teased mercilessly.
I left my highland village in Scotland aged 19, and I was considered to be full of airs, and that London Town would swallow me up and spit be out, tarnished and worthless. When my best friend followed me a year later, my reputation dropped still further.
I have lived in London for nearly 40 years, apart from 5 years living abroad (that caused more ructions at home). I have loved it, but now agree with J that the “constantly shifting essence of the city and its tendency to render everyone urgent and erratic.”
Which is why we have started to plan a move to my homeland. But the Highlands are too quiet and lonely, so we will go to Edinburgh. I confess I am “in a bit of a twitter”. You just have to take it step by step.
Good luck in Australia. I am so glad you will continue writing, though I know writing will remain a lifeline and comfort during the ups and downs of your relocation.
Thanks for this lovely comment Kate, and for subscribing. I hope that your move brings you the moderate peace you seek!
You too!
Australia? A baffling choice, after watching the Aussie government's transformation to full authoritarian rule during Covid Con Part I.
I believe they have more 'happiness' in store for their citizens, too.
Great article. Great courage. Aperigraha, to let go of that which no longer serves! That is an amazing process.
At first it seems that letting go of the 'stuff' the over-fat stuffing we have plied hard to pile around ourselves is hard. Yes, it is. And yet it becomes child's play compared to letting go of the past beliefs and truths that no longer serve! Welcome to the journey!
Namaste and great good journey towards the self that will be residing (is) with you in a new land.
Your delightful essay has particular resonance with me because it echoes my own recent journey as well. In 2021 I was given a choice between continuing to work as a near slave at a job that was challenging and enjoyable or jump into the unknown. My partner and I jumped and left Canada under the fascinating and difficult circumstances of covid lockdowns and travel bans. I'm now residing in Mexico, the last place on earth I would have expected to find myself. My partner is currently living in her home city of Osaka Japan. In late 2022 I applied to live here permanently as a refugee on the grounds of medical tyranny. After that was rejected I submitted a detailed appeal of the ways in which Canada had (has?) become very much like Germany in the early 1930s. Fascinating to see the parallels.
And I've been writing about that and other stuff while waking up to the shadow behind the mask of our society.
All the best, with peace, respect, love and gratitude.
All the best!
I moved to Australia in my 30s. It’s been at times immensely difficult, but also freeing in a way I’d never expected. Complete reinvention. One day you’re being threatened with total career destruction by some maniacal City type and the next (well two years later) you’re driving down a 12 mile beach in Western Australia, the Southern Ocean metres away, a former Neighbours star driving in front and you think, f***, I really did it.
This is comment is a whirlwind of a story and I am all about it!
That was only two years in. After a decade I still pinch myself. It’s a country that inspires awe, from its First Nations culture to the sheer breadth of the landscapes, and the light.
So glad I found your Substack, best wishes!
Thank you!
"for me, success is autonomy"
for this sentence alone, I will follow you.
I wrote this down once I read because it perfectly summarizes how I view success
Dear Laura,
Thank you for your courage and vulnerability.
Your post deeply resonates.
Congratulations on walking your path.
With profound admiration,
Thank you Rodrigo that’s very kind.
Congatulations! This is an enormous step for you and I hope you have all the happiness, success and adventure you derserve.
Thank you very much for the good wishes, Elizabeth!
wishing you all the happiness on this new adventure Laura. I've done a cross the world move 3x now and each time it was the right thing. There's a big world out there to be experienced, good on you for following your gut and heart! X
Thanks so much Kate. x
I did it, I never regretted it. And you can always change your mind, that’s the most freeing thing I held on to.
Quite right Caroline!
Congratulations on the move, and welcome to Australia (when you eventually arrive)!
I admire your decision to move; so often it’s easier to stay in a bad or uncomfortable situations rather than move on out of fear.
Best of luck!
Thanks Eva I appreciate that.
Yay! Yay for Australia! I hope Sydney welcomes you. Wishing you all the best with the move!
Can we have meet ups on AEST time now 😄?
I look forward to your writings about this place and it’s people.
Ha! I’ll have to figure out the timings! It’s Canberra we are moving to yes very exciting!
Laura, you are Irish, you will love Australia and she will adopt you immediately. All you need is sunscreen and words. Good luck and please stay in touch. C
Sure I will of course stay in touch, Clyde! All my friends will be on the internet until I make at least one in Australia. I’m very pale and hostile so I don’t love my chances tbh 😂