The Musings Of An Opinionated Sod [Help Me Grow!]

SEPTEMBER.

What the hell …

That means, in a few days, it’s been a year since I moved back to England.

And in a month, a year since I joined R/GA.

A YEAR!

I have to be honest, I find it amazing how quick that time has passed.

New job.

New house.

New car.

New life.

It has been a lot and I am so happy and grateful for it.

It’s pretty obvious I didn’t really enjoy my time in LA.

I liked an incredible amount of people there and Manhattan Beach will – without doubt – be the most beautiful place I’ll ever live, but there was stuff there I found challenging, stuff that went against who I am. That said, I’m very glad I did it and incredibly grateful for the opportunity to have done it, but I must admit I’m a happier person now I’m out of it.

That said, England still doesn’t feel like ‘home’.

It feels familiar … it feels nice … but having lived in so many countries over so many years, home for me is ultimately where Jill, Otis and Rosie are as opposed to a particular place, city or country.

In fact, I would say if I was made to choose a place where I feel I most ‘belong’, I would say Shanghai, that’s how much I love and loved that place.

That said, I’m incredibly excited we have just bought our first proper family home and I love being so close to my best friend – and Otis’ odd parents – Paul and Shelly, so while the country is acting in ways that are downright madness, I can honestly say I am in a happier, healthier place than I was a year ago and for that, I am grateful to everyone and everything that got me here.