I totally believe that where we live shapes who we are. And quite frankly, how happy you are! I actually had many conversation with fellow Substackers over the past couple of weeks about this and wrote about it too. Maybe the search for the right place isn’t about chasing happiness, but about giving ourselves the best possible conditions to thrive. Why force ourselves to be happy in places that drain us when we have the freedom to seek out environments that energize us?
PS: I wrote one that essentially covers this exact topic last year! After years of hopping around, I’ve realized how important (and possible it is in the first place) to actively find a place that brings out the best version of myself:
I've mostly had conversations on Notes but will keep my eyes peeled for more newsletters on this topic. I currently live in Berlin but am planning a move to Portugal within the next year.
As someone who has done exactly the same, I loved reading this so much. 🫶 I do wonder how many people really sit and think about where they want to live. So often we just end up staying in places that circumstances dropped us off at…
Thank you, Hannah! I'm so glad this resonated, as it led me to discover your gorgeous Substack. I just listened to your post on ditching self-development books, which was SO relatable! Loading up my Kindle with some good old fashioned fiction for my holiday next week (recommendations welcome)
I lived in London in my early 20s, and I loved the chaos, the nightlife, and the feeling that everyone was always speeding past. It was the early 2000s, and I lived within walking distance of my closest friends in Hackney. Times have changed! I live in Melbourne now, after a stint in Sydney, and the second I arrived it just felt like home - like a smaller, sunnier, friendlier London. As the years have gone on, I think it’s increasingly less likely that I’ll ever move back - even though when I left, it was for ‘just a year’ to travel! Place is hugely important, and our true home is often not the place we were born 💜
This really resonated with me. The first months of moving from Aus to London was hard. Then it became fun and reckless and exhilarating - all hinge dates, drunk nights and constantly exploring the city on expensive but very “London” excursions. But 8 years later, I realised all those things are no longer important. Community spirit, a bit of sun, and the space to be free instead of guarded would make everyday feel so different.
Thanks for sharing - and for giving me another reason to think about leaving (and feel less alone for it!)
14 years in London and I am so ready to leave! Every time I visit my sister in Hove I feel like I’m home so I know that’s where I’m heading one day soon. Just waiting for boyfriend to be ready for the change 🤞
Such a beautiful post. I lived in Brighton for a couple of years before moving to Japan for work, and I so dearly miss Brighton that I am coming back soon😭 You can leave Brighton, but Brighton will never leave you!!!
“Is it really so strange to move somewhere for no other reason than because you love it?”
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked if I’m moving to/living somewhere for work — as if that’s the only reasonable excuse to not live in the postal code we happen to have been born in. Great read, and thanks for the shoutout! This is a topic I loooove discussing 🙂
I totally believe that where we live shapes who we are. And quite frankly, how happy you are! I actually had many conversation with fellow Substackers over the past couple of weeks about this and wrote about it too. Maybe the search for the right place isn’t about chasing happiness, but about giving ourselves the best possible conditions to thrive. Why force ourselves to be happy in places that drain us when we have the freedom to seek out environments that energize us?
I love that synchronicity, Katharina! Will definitely go and read your piece—any other posts you've seen on this topic?
I totally agree—and that distinction is an important one to make. Where do you live?
PS: I wrote one that essentially covers this exact topic last year! After years of hopping around, I’ve realized how important (and possible it is in the first place) to actively find a place that brings out the best version of myself:
https://www.extracurricularpursuits.com/p/happiness-odds
I've mostly had conversations on Notes but will keep my eyes peeled for more newsletters on this topic. I currently live in Berlin but am planning a move to Portugal within the next year.
As someone who has done exactly the same, I loved reading this so much. 🫶 I do wonder how many people really sit and think about where they want to live. So often we just end up staying in places that circumstances dropped us off at…
Thank you, Hannah! I'm so glad this resonated, as it led me to discover your gorgeous Substack. I just listened to your post on ditching self-development books, which was SO relatable! Loading up my Kindle with some good old fashioned fiction for my holiday next week (recommendations welcome)
Ahhh thank you so much, Lucia! Just finished reading Nothing to See Here by Kevin Wilson which was 10/10
This is a great piece! I’m in the process of leaving London myself. I feel like London and I are not compatible any more. Or maybe we never were.
Me and my Salomons feel attacked
sorry babes xxx
I lived in London in my early 20s, and I loved the chaos, the nightlife, and the feeling that everyone was always speeding past. It was the early 2000s, and I lived within walking distance of my closest friends in Hackney. Times have changed! I live in Melbourne now, after a stint in Sydney, and the second I arrived it just felt like home - like a smaller, sunnier, friendlier London. As the years have gone on, I think it’s increasingly less likely that I’ll ever move back - even though when I left, it was for ‘just a year’ to travel! Place is hugely important, and our true home is often not the place we were born 💜
This really resonated with me. The first months of moving from Aus to London was hard. Then it became fun and reckless and exhilarating - all hinge dates, drunk nights and constantly exploring the city on expensive but very “London” excursions. But 8 years later, I realised all those things are no longer important. Community spirit, a bit of sun, and the space to be free instead of guarded would make everyday feel so different.
Thanks for sharing - and for giving me another reason to think about leaving (and feel less alone for it!)
Left London a month ago - I agonised over this decision for 1 year but haven’t missed it for a second lol
14 years in London and I am so ready to leave! Every time I visit my sister in Hove I feel like I’m home so I know that’s where I’m heading one day soon. Just waiting for boyfriend to be ready for the change 🤞
Such a beautiful post. I lived in Brighton for a couple of years before moving to Japan for work, and I so dearly miss Brighton that I am coming back soon😭 You can leave Brighton, but Brighton will never leave you!!!
The RHOC post 👌👌
“Is it really so strange to move somewhere for no other reason than because you love it?”
I can’t tell you how many times I’ve been asked if I’m moving to/living somewhere for work — as if that’s the only reasonable excuse to not live in the postal code we happen to have been born in. Great read, and thanks for the shoutout! This is a topic I loooove discussing 🙂