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Friday 12 June 2015

Starting a new life in Surrey


Hello from Guildford! 


We moved out of our little London flat one week ago and what a week it has been. The packing seemed endless and it almost finished us off completely but we got there in the end.




It feels wonderful to finally own our own home and we are so excited to completely re-decorate and design it in our own style. The house is a little tired and needs updating throughout but that's fine with me - I have been dreaming of doing a project like this since I was about 15 years old! I can feel some serious Pinterest board action coming on (follow me on Pinterest here). 


Here we are, proud and happy on day one in our first home!




Here's a very tired Chris, with our dog Archie, totally shattered after hours shifting boxes and cleaning both properties (not sure why Archie is so tired seeing as he didn't exactly help with the move!).




We moved a week ago today and have been busy settling in, unpacking and stocking up on essentials - including buying our first car!




Now the madness of the move has calmed down a bit I managed to find some time to write a new blog post. As I write I'm sitting at our kitchen table looking out over our sunny garden...




This is the first time I've blogged at the new house. Even though we're not planning to keep the conservatory when we re-model the house I am enjoying it for now - it's a lovely and uplifting place to write with the sun streaming in through the windows.


It feels like a huge amount has changed this year in such a short space of time - 2015 really has been challenging and crazy so far. My life altered forever when I lost my Dad very suddenly and unexpectedly to cancer in March. Shortly afterwards I left my job as it was hard to cope with the pressures of a demanding work-load and simultaneously deal with my grief. To top it all off we've been conducting an intensive property search ever since we returned from Mexico in mid-January and handling all of the stress that comes with that has really piled on the pressure.


Moving house is tough - there are a million boring logistical things to sort out, then you start to pack and realise you aren't quite as organised as you thought you were. Every 5 minutes I would come across some cherished card from my Dad or stack of photos from my childhood and the packing would be completely derailed for the next 20 minutes. Finally, there is the emotional upheaval that comes with uprooting yourself from a home you've loved for years and the city you were born and raised in... Let's just say there have been tears and lots of them!


But now that we're here I feel calmer and truly grateful for this opportunity for a fresh start. There's a saying that "a change is as good as a rest" and I think that really applies in this case. I feel re-energised and inspired. I'm excited about the future and feel like I am really growing up now. It's such a major undertaking becoming a homeowner and a real responsibility. 


When I was in my 20s I was afraid at the thought of being tied down by commitments like being married and owning property, but now I'm embracing these life challenges. I've realised they're fun and that all of this is a natural progression from my carefree party days. You just reach a point where you can't do it any more - the all nighters, 2 day hangovers, drinking games, smoking. I thought I would never get tired of partying and crazy, wild times but without even really realising it I have slowly and steadily been growing out of all that for the past few years. I guess it's inevitable for most of us!


Obviously I'm not going to become a boring old fart just yet but the warning signs are there... I've started getting excited about planting a herb garden and I'm spending a worrying amount of time thinking about decorating schemes. But it is all so much fun!



I would really welcome your thoughts and reactions on this post. Leaving a comment is really easy: type your comment below, include your name, then select "Comment as: Anonymous" and click "Publish". I moderate all comments so it may take a day or so before it appears on the blog. Thanks! x



3 comments

  1. New house looks beautiful Cels! So happy for you guys. Love the blog post. Keep us posted on how the moving in progresses xo

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    1. Thanks so much Adele!! Will def be doing lots more house posts soon xx

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  2. A wonderful new chapter begins and I am almost on the first page! xxxxx Mummy

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