08/05/2024
As I was going through and organizing our thousands of family photos, I came across this pic: Taken about 7 years ago, when my first two sons were tiny bundles of joy, and we were temporarily living in my hometown Vienna 🇦🇹
Looking at it made me feel overwhelmed with a sense of nostalgia. Life felt lighter, simpler, and so full of love, friendship and support.
Though we continued to create a great life for our family here in Bilbao, there were days when the weight of expat life has felt heavy on my shoulders. I often felt like the one & only go-to person, trying to compensate for the absence of family, solo-parenting a lot - and all of that while navigating a different environment myself, watching friends come and go again…
But I wonder: Would I have achieved what I have, so cozily cuddled up in my comfort zone? I’m thinking probably not.
I treasure the incredibly close bond I was able to create with my children, away from the tempting comparison and pressure to follow trends people are usually exposed to “back home”.
I’m proud about the EMPOWERMENT, strength and resilience these last years have cultivated within me, pushing me far beyond my limits. 💪
📸 Photos really have the power to spark so many memories and emotions in us, don’t they?
I’ve been using this flood of impressions to reflect on
🤔 What exactly it was about that previous time that felt so good? (Surprisingly, sometimes it’s very simple things, some of which - though not all - can be recreated elsewhere)
🤔 What does that say about me, and about what matters most to me? (So insightful!)
🤔 What other things have I gained in the meantime, that 7 years from now I’ll look back on, fondly and gratefully? (So empowering!)
What about you? Can you relate to these reflections? Share your thoughts below! 👇
Photo Credit: 💓💓
