Day 23: Am I Turning Local?

Today was an interesting day. The weather was gorgeous, so I decided to go for a morning walk. It is one of the great joys of country living—to be so close to nature.

A little bit of context: my ancestors came from this village, but I have never lived here before. It is a strange dichotomy, to be deeply rooted and new at the same time.

Having lived abroad for the last decade, I am used to being a foreigner—showing up in a new country, not speaking the language, not knowing anyone. It feels normal to me. But this… this is new. When I tell people who my family is, there is an immediate recognition on their faces. In their eyes, even though I may have just moved here, I belong.

On my walk, I came across a small field with some sheep. Many of them had recently had lambs, and I stopped to observe them for a while. Before I knew it, the owners came out to feed them, and I asked if I could join. Honestly, I had no idea who they were—I just really wanted to pet some sheep.

We got talking about the animals, and in no time I learned who they were—and that my mum knows them too. It was so easy to chat, even though we had never met before.

When I got home, I felt a little proud, having introduced myself to more people in the village. I want to be integrated here, but sometimes I don’t know where to start.

I think this is why a lot of people don’t dare to move cities or countries as they get older. It is uncomfortable to be the odd one out, to be new. I look at others who are well integrated and think they are so much further along than me—but that isn’t true. I have roots in many places; theirs are all in one. It is just different, not better or worse.

I don’t know what the future holds or how I will bring many of my dream projects into being, but I am excited to be here—to stay open and to reach a little further each day. Still resting enough, but also stepping outside my comfort zone. Life is in being a beginner again and again.

Now I am in bed, happy with my heating pad and a cup of tea.
I hope you are well, wherever you are.

Celine