I arrived in London in 2020 as one person, and leave the city, albeit temporarily, a different woman entirely. This is my story of working out where, and with whom, I am meant to be.
I loved this Una. Such a wise and beautiful read. If we were meant to stay in one place we would grow roots. For me true freedom is coming and going, ebbing and flowing, and doing what feels right, when it feels right. Keep doing and being your unique ‘Una’, and doing it was such glorious aplomb!
This is so beautiful Una. I know what you mean about people saying you're brave to move so late in life -- when you feel like a coward for not doing it sooner. You said that so perfectly.
And how London is just one of those cities. It's not easy - but at the same time you feel a friendly anonymity that's liberating. I'll live there again for a time because I like the version of myself I become when I'm there.
DO YOU REMEMBER the Greece diary? I came across it the other day. Seems you did a lot of sleeping with your mouth open, and I was “wistful” a lot. Will send on. Hope you’re well! x
Una this was wonderful to read. An unpredictable mix of humour, memoir, recognition and I chuckled about the resistance to the parking wardens. Once you start living your life on your own terms you can't do it any other way. Hoping to welcome you back to London soon and a new front door.
In my village parish council moved the bench outside the pub to a different spot. One night drinkers in pub went and put it back to its original spot outside the pub. My mum used to prefer to it as "the liberated bench."
Una, what a beautiful piece of writing. The line "I am forever a blend of not enough and too much, for life there," resonated deeply with how I'm currently feeling coming back to my hometown. Thank you for this.
The part of not fitting it at home, it resonates massively that’s how I feel about Derbyshire. We can compare notes on going “home” temporarily! Big love ❤️
I loved this Una. Such a wise and beautiful read. If we were meant to stay in one place we would grow roots. For me true freedom is coming and going, ebbing and flowing, and doing what feels right, when it feels right. Keep doing and being your unique ‘Una’, and doing it was such glorious aplomb!
Ohh you. Thank you thank you. You know how it is, if a thing is worth doing….
Hopefully catch you in the coming weeks x
I would LOVE to meet. Tell me your where abouts Special Agent OFarrell
This is so beautiful Una. I know what you mean about people saying you're brave to move so late in life -- when you feel like a coward for not doing it sooner. You said that so perfectly.
And how London is just one of those cities. It's not easy - but at the same time you feel a friendly anonymity that's liberating. I'll live there again for a time because I like the version of myself I become when I'm there.
Well when that time comes Jen, you best be sure to look me up! ❤️
It's a date. Either in London or maybe Belfast. You never know. 🤔
I’ve just realised that being ‘not enough, yet too much’ for said place has been a low key, incessant niggle all my life. Wow. 💗
Gaaaaah you 🥰
DO YOU REMEMBER the Greece diary? I came across it the other day. Seems you did a lot of sleeping with your mouth open, and I was “wistful” a lot. Will send on. Hope you’re well! x
I keep going back to the quote by Egyptian novelist Naguib Mahfouz, “Home is not where you are born; home is where all your attempts to escape cease.
Even though I don’t live there anymore, London will forever be one of my cherished homes, which allowed me to become whom I’m meant to be.
Oh that hits. Thank you for sharing x
Happy you liked it. I missed the closing quotation mark after ‘cease’. It’s a beautiful and mind-opening quote.
Una this was wonderful to read. An unpredictable mix of humour, memoir, recognition and I chuckled about the resistance to the parking wardens. Once you start living your life on your own terms you can't do it any other way. Hoping to welcome you back to London soon and a new front door.
The town is infamous for traffic-warden-gate, and still fiercely proud of it!
In my village parish council moved the bench outside the pub to a different spot. One night drinkers in pub went and put it back to its original spot outside the pub. My mum used to prefer to it as "the liberated bench."
Una, what a beautiful piece of writing. The line "I am forever a blend of not enough and too much, for life there," resonated deeply with how I'm currently feeling coming back to my hometown. Thank you for this.
Ahh Dear Lula! Thank you. So so good to have you here and I hope you are terrifically well x
The part of not fitting it at home, it resonates massively that’s how I feel about Derbyshire. We can compare notes on going “home” temporarily! Big love ❤️
Me thinks we should lock a date down in the diary for that, as I would LOVE it x