Hello Stranger.. Or perhaps I have been the stranger in this equation. I never thought that after starting this blog, I would have taken more than a month break of not writing - as I just love doing it in my free time ; or more multi tasking as free time has been limited these last few months. However, 2017 has definitely printed it's mark already. If you have been following my blog - you would have read that since the start of this year I had a bit of a rough start - by the time I got to find my feet, I had to go through other several changes recently such as mourning a loss, leaving a whole life/country behind and starting from scratch. With that it entailed me quitting my job and having to say bye to a few people who have become like family these last few months so it wasn't easy to pack up six-years in a nutshell and pretend that life can just go on with no bruises along the way. Let's just say every time I got back up I got knocked the hell down twice over. Nonetheless, I am here now, might have taken me a bit longer to get here but it's important to listen to yourself and go at your own pace in anything that you do. This blog was a small project or diary if you'd like to call it that which I started for myself, and as much as I am writing in an open space - I wanted to keep it personal to myself and write my blog post with pure honesty and for this it's better to have quality rather than quantity - although I do apologise for my absence,  I can assure you that even I have felt it!

Whats the next step? At this point, who knows. Now that I have left my London life behind it's pretty much all about starting a new journey, which can be quite intense and daunting if I had to be completely honest, although at the same time can be quite exciting. I mean how often do we just get to start afresh? Ok granted, this is my home town - but having family here is just an added bonus. Although, finding an apartment is definitely a priority on my list - I need my own place... (I love you mom) I'm sure the feeling is mutual - after living alone it's hard to go back to living under someone else's roof. Although, being in my old room right now brings back such nostalgic memories and makes me feel like a kid all over again which I am not going to complain about but let's be honest; there's a limit of how long I can live like that. I need to snap back into adult life soon, at this point I'm just taking an adult holiday for a short while until I get things sorted and whilst I still have the opportunity to do so. Don't mind if I do.

A main key point and an important asset to have when starting over is organisation.  Here are a few of my tips to starting a new life and what we perhaps should do for an easier transition. Perhaps they may vary for you, or might be similar - at this point you can just take in and see what you might be able to gather from the below and my experiences.  

1) STRUCTURE PLAN YOUR FUTURE

First off, having an idea of which way you want your life to go is super important. Even if it's not precise, write down a few pointers as to what you would like to achieve and which direction more or less you want to take. It's true like myself, we might be at the stage where you have no idea what you are doing or in which route your life is heading towards but with a small vision and plan this can help in not feeling totally stressed and having a small inclination as to what to look forward to and work on - even if in time the plan changes along the way which 80% of it might change.  At least, like this it can help to look at things from a different perspective and evaluate.

2) MEET NEW PEOPLE 

This isn't particularly an easy one no matter how sociable you may be as a person. Meeting new people is very important on what you engage in and perhaps the best way will usually be once you start a new job. In my case, being back home I have several childhood friends which I am looking forward to have the opportunity to rekindle with again. However, I am open to meeting people and building new friendships, taking on a new step.

3) HAVE AN OPEN MIND 

Things will naturally be different, the way of doing things, places to go, certain habits. Especially changing country all together you have to take into consideration the different culture. Learn how to adapt to your surroundings and embrace change for every good and bad you had in your old life, try find the good and bad in your current situation - it's there you might have to dig to figure out what these things are. Accept that things will be different - different is good. You like it, take it in - you don't drop it, move on to something else.

4) TRY NEW THINGS 

Starting fresh, can be strenuous and God knows it is. Speaking first hand from my experience, try to incorporate a positive attitude towards the change despite of the mixed feelings you might be having, try look forward to what's to come. Starting over is the equivalent of doing new things - taking up activities you've always wanted to do or never had the time or courage to do so. Go for it, do new things. In my case I've been wanting to start boxing lessons - Something I've always thought about doing but never got around to doing. Maybe it's time.

5) MAKE A TO - DO - LIST 

Blah blah, here we go another to do list. haha - I have my whole life written in a list almost. The good old to-do-lists we swear by them or at them. I am definitely the former. Having so much on your mind when moving, can be very overwhelming. I had and still have a lot of errands to run following my return, from bank appointments to sorting out a new phone contract , to other important meetings. A to-do-list definitely keeps things at bay, it also helps you rank the importance of what you have to get done and how urgent it might be as well as helps to NOT forget, which without writing down sometimes is very plausible and might cost you something important or charge you a great deal if you forget to cancel certain old subscriptions. I've been there in the past - not going to let it happen to me this time.

6) UNDERGO A NEW LOOK 

Hmm... I'm still considering this one myself.  Sometimes when you're starting over why not go ALL the way and change your look in the process to match your new lifestyle.  I have been one to always play with my style / looks. Before leaving to London I remember cutting my locks from long hair straight into a pixie hairstyle and god knows I loved it but over the years I've alternated back and forth - I'm at the stage where my hair is now mid-length and questioning what is next on the agenda. Perhaps now that I'm tanned and back to a Mediterranean lifestyle I might return to blonde, love the glow it gives me especially in the summer time. Getting in better shape is also a major plan on the list. New life - New you.  

7) LOOK FORWARD 

Accept change. Most times, we start from fresh to leave something behind, perhaps it's a form of escape, sometimes we have no other choice to start from scratch. Whatever the case, at this point it's time to leave the past behind and it's good to just look forward and take on the next chapter. Focus on the present moment and look forward always not backwards. Remember, the decision you took to start fresh was for a reason. 

8) NOTHING IS SET IN STONE

Decisions that we make can always be undone - for the most part. In this scenario, if you decide to leave home or turn your life around in a complete 360 - there is always returning back if worst comes to worst. When I left to London - I always knew I could return home if I wanted to, with this in mind it enabled me to have fun and live in the moment knowing that I am in control of any situation - now that I have made the decision to return home even at this point, it doesn't mean this decision is definite. You never know which direction your life will take you or what opportunity might come along. Either way you can always amend your plans down the line. so Just focus on the experience and not fear of the big leap of faith that you decided to take, because you are in control of your own life and what you chose to do. 

9) BE INDEPENDENT

It's important that taking this step we often find ourselves alone. Trust yourself - and your intuition always do what you think is best for yourself,  just trust that you can do anything you put your mind to do. Try learn how to be with yourself and to please yourself without having to depend on anyone - it will make you stronger and feel more empowered that you can do this, whatever journey you decide to commence. 

10) HAVE FUN 

I have just done six years in London - SIX. what? Where has all that time gone? I still remember the day I embarked on this journey - it feels just under a year ago... I can't believe so much time has passed  - I guess I am starting to feel the absence that I have left at home since being back. It's important to make the most of each day, because  life is passing at a speed for all of us and before you know it we always move on to another chapter in our life with or without our consent. So no matter on the situation you are currently dealing with, be it good or bad it's always good to appreciate the life we living at the moment, as before we know it we always end up missing the good old days and wish to go back in time. Have fun - make new memories that you can always look back on - your future self will thank you for this one.