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Growing up, London was always this magical faraway place, then all of a sudden it wasn’t. During the summer before college, my best friend Katie and I travelled to Europe and the UK. During this trip, we spent 2 weeks in London. This magical place that I always dreamed of going to became a reality. Being in London for 2 weeks that summer, I knew the city already had a special place in my heart. In college, my husband Matt studied abroad in London for the summer. That summer, I was studying abroad in France. On my way to France, I stopped in London to visit him. I was even more enchanted by beautiful London the second time around. That summer we both decided that we wanted London in our future.
Upon graduating college, Matt and I took a leap of faith and moved to London. We lived in London for a year. As newlyweds, we quarantined in our small London flat during a global pandemic. While quarantining in London, it didn’t seem like a big deal to be so far away from the United States and our families. Looking back, I’m like wait… that kind of was a big deal haha! We had this grand plan of living in London for 3-4 years, but unfortunately with everything going on in the world (stupid Covid), we were being led in a different direction.
We recently just made the move to Atlanta, Georgia. This move comes with a lot of sadness, but also happiness for the future and what this new chapter has to hold. I am so thankful for the time that I got to live in London and all the experiences that came along with it! I have learned so much about myself and about the world living there. Here are just a few of the things wonderful London has taught me.
1.) London taught me that time is short and time is valuable.
Nothing is guaranteed in life. You may not have time, so don’t contemplate and overthink everything! Take that risk! Go on the adventure! I definitely didn’t have as much time in London that I would have hoped. There were so many experiences and so many things that I wanted to do that I never got the chance to. Make the most out of the time that you have!
2.) London taught me to never settle for being treated like sh*t (lol sorry for the language).
Buckle up y’all it is story time! Upon graduating from SCAD, I dreamed of working for a luxury fashion house as a patternmaker. I knew that fashion houses could have toxic work environments, but I was ready for the challenge. When I moved to London, I got my dream internship as a patternmaker. Often in the fashion industry, but especially in the UK, you have to work as an unpaid intern to gain a few years of experience out of University (so ridiculous)! But I was prepared to be unpaid and was so excited to start my new job!
I started my job last January and boy was it interesting! Where I worked had a broken heater, so all of the employees were bundled up in giant coats, hats, and gloves during work. Now, let me tell ya… If you have never made patterns while being dressed to endure the great outdoors… It’s not easy! There was also no working bathroom… Like I am sorry, but I have a really small bladder! The next is the absolute worst of them all. We had an elderly woman as our seamstress. One day, she went out for a smoke during lunch and she passed out and fell face first into the pavement. My boss sent her back to work 10 minutes later… Like maybe call an ambulance or take her to the hospital!?
Now… This was an incredible design house and many people in fashion would have killed for this opportunity. This may have been the right environment for some people, or some people might have stuck it out to get to where they wanted to be, but it wasn’t right for me. I came home every day and had no emotional capacity to deal with anything else in my life… SO I QUIT! I felt an enormous immense of pressure immediately taken off of my shoulders.
Even though it was a horrible environment, I realized that I was skilled and was a valuable asset. For the amount of times I got screamed at, I was one of the least screamed at people… So I guess I did something right, right!? Haha! This experience made me realize that I COULD have put up with this and been successful, but I CHOSE not to. London fashion taught me that I am skilled, I am powerful, and I can make decisions that are best for me. It gave me the confidence to start my blog, go to graduate school, and set my sights on starting my own brand one day!
3.) London taught me to be unapologetically myself and to stand out.
In a city/world with so many people, it is easy to feel invisible and overlooked. MAKE SURE THAT YOU AREN’T! To the guy who rides his bike down busy London streets singing at the top of his lungs…You go! To the lady on the streets of London wearing bright colors in a sea of black and grey clothing… You go girl (totally talking about myself here haha)! Whatever you do, do it in your style and stand out!
4.) London taught me that no matter how much you think you have it all figured out, you don’t!
Be flexible and able to adapt to what life throws at you. We thought we were going to be living in London for 3-4 years, but instead we were only there for a year. We didn’t want to leave, but we really felt like we were being led to move to Atlanta. Jesus has a plan that won’t always make sense to you, but listen to your gut because you will miss out on what you are being called to do if you don’t!
5.) London taught me that diets are overrated!
London had such good food that it was literally a crime to be on a diet. You eat that pizza! Make your soul happy! But also eat your vegetables because ya know health and stuff.
6.) London taught me to go outside of my comfort zone and to extend myself to people.
London is such a diverse hub with people from all over the world with varied life experiences and interests. All my friends were so different, from interests, age, where we are from, etc. These friends taught me so many new things about the world. Instead of removing myself or not valuing their opinions because they were different than mine, I listened and discussed respectfully. And guess what… Sometimes they even changed my mind about things! Value and listen to everyone, it helps you and them grow as individuals. And for peets sake, make a friend that’s different from you! I promise you won’t regret it!
London was the very first place that my husband and I got to call home. For that very reason and so many more, it will hold such a special place in my heart. Dear London, I love you. I hope we meet again soon!
Xo Haley Jean
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