I’ve lived in Perth, the capital of Western Australia, for just over three years. This city has been entirely generous to me and I can’t quite believe that in just one week I’ll be saying my farewells, jumping in the car with Andrew, driving the 4000-ish kms across Australia and leaving Perth.
I have moments of thinking I’m crazy for wanting to go! Perth is a paradise in so many ways: an easy stroll to the most beautiful coastline in Australia, lush green parks and tall Norfolk Island pine trees that line the wide, hot streets. Actually, the ‘green’ surprised me the most when I arrived here four years ago! Plonked in a sea of desert, at the edge of the Indian Ocean, Perth stretches out before you, a never-ending horizon. That first trip (and the second trip) were just to visit; it was the third time that my feet touched Western Australian soil that Perth became ‘home’.
I’ve had a really, really good few years here.
I’ve also lived through the most awful hours of my life in Perth; days that I wonder if I could withstand again, if I had to. It’s only when we drive past the hospital that I remember why Perth became home in the first place. Grief is a funny and fluid thing. Perth has shown me that pain and pleasure are equal teachers.
As new homes often promise, I truly started afresh in Perth. I stopped binge drinking and trashing my body. I built my business. I returned to study. I’ve formed friendships here that will last forever. I became a fur Mama and a yogini and not only did I fall in love with Andrew, but I fell in love with myself! After years and years of self-criticism and body / weight / food obsession, I am leaving this city with a deep sense of respect and love for the skin I am in and the soul that I am.
I learnt how it feels to be truly expansive here. To do things my way, to do what I love, and to not apologise for that. I learnt how to create a life that is an expression of my soul, of who I am and what I really want.
I have adored living within walking distance to Cottesloe and a swift six-minute train trip to Fremantle Station. I am always glued to the train’s window as we glide over the bridge, the shimmering blue of the ocean, the dark orange cranes of the dock. Perth is stunning, in every sense of the word. I’ve never seen sky quite as big or quite as blue.
Why am I leaving?
For all the space and room to move here, I have felt an increasing sense of being ‘trapped’ in Perth over the past year. There is no city of comparable size anywhere in the world that is as remote as Perth. It is incredibly isolated. There’s no jumping in the car spontaneously to visit my family (really, it’s a 3 – 4 hours drive to get anywhere) and while the cheap flights to Bali have been a tasty highlight of living here (not to mention Perth is in the same time zone as Indonesia), I have often felt detached from the rest of Australia.
Even with my thrifty nature, Perth is also a very expensive city to live. I love eating out and this has definitely been something I have missed about Melbourne – cheap, delicious dinners and brunches! It’s difficult living here without a car and this has probably added to the ‘trapped’ sensation from time to time.
In hindsight, I’ve never quite put my roots down. I always knew that I was going to leave Perth. I didn’t bring all of my books, belongings or pieces of art from my walls. So much of my life is still in boxes, waiting for my return. I’ve already sold or given away the majority of what I’ve accumulated here too. Things just borrowed, for a little while. I like that.
But oh my, there are FAR MORE things that I will miss about this city! Mostly, the people – not being an 10-minute walk from my friend Em (and her beautiful family) in particular is going to prove tough – the female friendships I’ve formed here are GOLD. Goddesses!
Also, everyone seems to look at me with a little disbelief when I tell them I’m leaving the ocean. Being by the sea has changed my life. Every single time we drive over the rise near the Ocean Beach Hotel in Cott, I take in a big breath of awe as the wide, deep blue expanse of the sea greets us, glinting and glimmering in the hot sun. I’ve never seen anything like it! I’ll miss the salt water and the waves and the sunsets and the days when the ocean is clear and flat and that exquisite feeling of floating on the skin of the world, but you know… Missing things is OK. I lived the first 26 years of my life without the ocean close by. I’ll be alright. 🙂
I also love cities! And history! And language! And travel!
And I can’t shake this insatiable curiosity that I feel only Europe can quench at this point in my life. Oh yeah, have I mentioned that part yet? We’re moving to LONDON!! I want to know everything about everything and I can’t wait to jump on a train to Paris for the weekend or fly to Portugal or Prague or Berlin. Remember how I said I wanted to spend more time in Europe in 2016? Well, here we go…
LONDON!!
I have always dreamt of living in another country and finally, the time feels really right.
I’m ready to stretch my wings, I’m thirsty for new and fresh experiences and adventures and to expand my concept of what is possible for my life. Living in London with my love feels exciting, a little scary and entirely awesome. Our current plan is to head home to NSW / Melbourne for a couple of months, spend time with family and friends and then make our way to the UK in late-April.
I’ll still be coaching and writing and blogging and hosting workshops and I can’t wait to share it all with you. I know my business will evolve with this transition and I’m really excited and curious about what that might look like!
Of course, there are a million reasons why we could stay in Perth and have a beautiful, lovely and fulfilling life. This part of the world is magic and I am sad to leave. Perth has been healing and encouraging. Space, sunshine, possibilities, friendships, love and growth. I have become more of myself here – all parts honoured – and felt free to be me.
But I am devoted to following my desires and curiosities. And right now, they’re pointing elsewhere. It’s difficult and dangerous to ignore our desires. I’m not interested in complacency or ‘settling’. While being here for the past few years has made all the difference to my life, whether it’s a way of being, a relationship, a job or a city, we must always know when it’s time to leave.
Perth – you hot, open, dry, spacious, BEAUTIFUL city – that time is now. Thank you for everything.
Let’s hear it in the comments – have you ever moved to another country? I’d love your tips / stories / advice! Are you in LONDON? Can we be friends?! 🙂 xo
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Oh the pull of Europe!! Come visit us there next year babe! We’re doing a house swap in the South of France for a couple of months!! Best of luck with the move honey and here’s to following life’s curiosities.
The PULL!! It’s REAL!! Ummm… YES! Keep me in the loop lady, I will definitely come and stay. How exciting. Your adventures always inspire me. xo
Claire I loved reading this post, nothing like shaking things up and trying new things huh! I never heard anyone say they regretted traveling, it’s such an enriching, life changing experience to live in another country and something you will always treasure. All the best and safe travels lovely, looking forward to reading all about your adventures xxx
Thank you lovely lady, so nice to see your name pop up here. Big, big love. x
Beautiful post Claire! So excited for you and your next adventure! Reminded me of how I felt moving from Canada to Aus…that “pull”…you have to honour it…and when you do, the most amazing things happen!! Cannot wait to see what the next chapter brings you! Wishing you nothing but happiness! Xx
Oh, YOU! Sweet thing. I’m so glad our paths crossed in this part of the world. And yes, the most amazing things have happened for you! Stories like yours are so inspiring and encouraging. Thank you beautiful!! xo
I’ve never lived in another country, so may just have to live vicariously through you 😉 Can’t wait to see what you get up to next on this new adventure. x
You are MOST welcome to live through me. Bring it on! x
London is FABULOUS. Rent can feel extortionist at times but here’s a growing movement of natural health + wellbeing – plus you can find cheap eats ;-). I’ve been here for 6.5 years and for similar reasons – where I was, started feeling a bit constricting. London is constant movement and expansion, spaces for being quiet+alone, spaces for dancing wildly, spaces for nurture and spaces for evolving and exploring. This place – it has my heart and I’m sure it’ll get your’s too <3
Spaces for dancing wildly and for being alone… Sounds like all I need really! 🙂 Thanks for sharing this Anne. All these beautiful expat stories are keeping me inspired and encouraged. Can’t wait to get over there! x
Awesome Claire! I will let you know when I’m in London- likely June to visit my partners family. All the best for a safe & seamless move, sarah xo
Fabulous, definitely do! Thanks beautiful x
This is so freakin’ exciting. Oh life – what an ADVENTURE! Enjoy this next chapter chika. Sending you lots of love. X
Just when you think you know what the next chapter of your life is going to look like, hey? Keeps us on our toes! Thanks beauty, wild soul x
Oh my darling…as someone who did the opposite (London to Sydney) and ended up becoming an Aussie citizen, let me just say that you have SO many amazing adventures awaiting you! I know I don’t need to tell you this (I’m sure you can feel it in your bones already!), but you’re going to have such a wonderful time.
Sending you so much love- happy adventuring!
xxx
I got TINGLES reading this Katie, you sweet soul. Thank you. And yes, I can definitely feel it x
Yey! Can I be the first to sign up for a workshop?
We’ve just moved from France to Spain, from a beautiful place with all our friends to an even more beautiful place with no friends. I really miss them but I’m so excited to be on this adventure. Good for you for following your dreams. Happy travels!
You most certainly can! I can’t wait to do some workshops in London. Your story is inspiring, thanks for sharing it! Hopefully our paths cross in the northern hemisphere sometime soon. 🙂
I’d really love that Claire x
How exciting Claire. We moved from the UK to Perth over 10 years ago. We have now moved to Queensland. As much as we loved Perth it was starting to get too isolated for us. We do miss being close to Europe and popping into London on the train for an evening but we couldn’t cope with the weather anymore! Can’t wait to hear about your next adventure.
And now I feel like moving to Perth! I’m originally from NZ and moved to Melbourne nearly 5 years ago. Although I love living in Australia, and have been able to travel the world much quicker/easier as a result of leaving NZ; I am definitely feeling the PULL to explore, and to live somewhere new. Can’t wait to hear more about this next exciting chapter in your life!
Way to go Claire! You are so inspiring and honest and cant wait to hear about your adventures. I hope the fur baby wont be far away from you xx
I’m moving to London in May!!!!! Would be so awesome to connect over there 🙂 SO EXCITED. And so happy for you! It’s gonna be good. Xx
What an exciting adventure, Claire. London is cool – and you are likely to run into an Aussie on almost every corner 🙂 Have a fabulous time and make the most of it. Living abroad is amazing. Lots of love, Jx
What a beautiful post, made me emotional… best of luck Claire, enjoy every exciting moment and stay your beautiful happy self xx
Hi Clare
What an adventure and wow so inspiring!
I’m sure there will be loads of London bebh babes to welcome you
Over here. London is magical …. and a millions other adjectives. It encompasses a lot! Where are you staying?
And if you need a seaside fix I’m about an hour from London ( by train) near Canterbury ( cool tourist city) so you’re always welcome for a coffee or a girly date.
Enjoy the preparation and anticipation – it can be as much fun as the journey .
Much love
Carly x
That’s so great you’re making the change that’s right for you. I completely resonate about the isolation. I live in Tasmania and even though I’m an hours flight from Melbourne that is a lot of hassle and expensive compared to when I was in NSW and everything was just a drive away. I hope to make a similar change myself in the next year and will be following your journey for inspiration xx
How cool! Congrats on your move, Claire! I moved to London six months ago, via several European countries. I’ve been an expat since I was little, and I’ve always felt that longing to move somewhere else. I know that feeling of “never quite put my roots down”, as you so beautifully put it! I’ve always followed that feeling — sometimes, I was not sure how it would manifest, and if at all, but I just followed that feeling and I knew it would manifest somehow. And when the time was right, I knew I had to say “yes” and leap. I hope to connect with you during one of your workshops here — hopefully very soon!
Amazing!!!! I have never lived in another country or State, but if I could do a house swap for a couple of months I would. Maybe in a few years when I’ve finished having children. I can’t wait to follow your adventure. Enjoy hunnie, Australia is going to miss you!! xxx
Exciting! You’re going to LOVE London. Hope to catch up at some point xx
Absolutely!!!! You can show me all your fave haunts x
So amazing beauty!!! My sis and her fiancé are in London, happy to connect you if you want! Hope you have the most brilliant, beautiful adventure xo
Oh how wonderful, that’d be awesome. Thanks for your love sweet lady! x