This was a great explanation of your status without having to ask awkwardly how your transition is going. Thank you for sharing your own deep thoughts of ones self!
As someone who loves Paris/France and just returned from a month in Nice, I feel for you! Now, neither fish nor fowl? There is so much of French culture I wish we had more of here, especially an appreciation of quality of daily living. But, as you so well know, there is much we can't get used to. I speak poor French, B1, at best, and would get very frustrated living where I'd miss out on so much interaction. Keep using this blog to muse about it all. I'm enjoying your insights for many reasons.
As someone who’s been in Paris for almost 4 years now and thinking of going back to Mexico City (city I call home too) your words are very inspiring so thank you thank you for sharing. 🤍
I’m so glad you connected with this. You’re not alone — it’s a unique type of push and pull, to live in Paris, and only those fortunate (and brave!) enough to have done it can truly understand all the emotions and challenges involved. Courage.
I was curious to read your post as I've just written myself about why returning to the US after more than 15 years away just seems inconceivable. I hope by the end of the year you're still convinced it was the right move. Living abroad there are practical issues, issues of values, and issues of identity, Having had 15 years to reflect, those of values an identity are the ones that are in greater focus; the practical issues such as language, ah, they do get mingled with identity and cease to feel like obstacles.
Thanks for reading and sharing your story and POV, John! Indeed, practical issues do tend to get mixed up with values and identity, which is ultimately why I left and feel at peace with my decision a year later—even despite the state of the country and its government. If you've read any of my previous letters, you'd also know I'm single and a freelancer, which can often make many of the practical issues of living abroad quite difficult and even more challenging. I also was always asked, "How long I'd stay?" and now I'm asked, "Why in the hell I came back?" At the end of the day, it's all subjective and personal! Even when I was living abroad and asked by those who wanted to do the same how to go about it, no two situations were alike. Courage and respect to us all!
I still DREAM of TCBY's White Chocolate Mousse! I found a TCBY in an airport a few years back, but they were out of WCM -- devastating. But perhaps it's better to have the memory than any new evidence that might contradict my belief that it's incredible??
Wow this resonates so much. After 10 years in Paris I'm back in The Bay since July. Nothing, absolutely nothing is going according to plan but I absolutely love being home. We're back and despite the bull shit and so much uncertainty we're going to be okay.
This was a great explanation of your status without having to ask awkwardly how your transition is going. Thank you for sharing your own deep thoughts of ones self!
Thank YOU for reading and supporting! ❤️
As someone who loves Paris/France and just returned from a month in Nice, I feel for you! Now, neither fish nor fowl? There is so much of French culture I wish we had more of here, especially an appreciation of quality of daily living. But, as you so well know, there is much we can't get used to. I speak poor French, B1, at best, and would get very frustrated living where I'd miss out on so much interaction. Keep using this blog to muse about it all. I'm enjoying your insights for many reasons.
Thank you, Bonnie! It’s reassuring to know my words (and thoughts and feelings!) are relatable.
As someone who’s been in Paris for almost 4 years now and thinking of going back to Mexico City (city I call home too) your words are very inspiring so thank you thank you for sharing. 🤍
I’m so glad you connected with this. You’re not alone — it’s a unique type of push and pull, to live in Paris, and only those fortunate (and brave!) enough to have done it can truly understand all the emotions and challenges involved. Courage.
I was curious to read your post as I've just written myself about why returning to the US after more than 15 years away just seems inconceivable. I hope by the end of the year you're still convinced it was the right move. Living abroad there are practical issues, issues of values, and issues of identity, Having had 15 years to reflect, those of values an identity are the ones that are in greater focus; the practical issues such as language, ah, they do get mingled with identity and cease to feel like obstacles.
Anyway, if your interested, my post is here:
https://leavingamerica.substack.com/p/is-there-a-road-home?r=1u1uw5
Thanks for reading and sharing your story and POV, John! Indeed, practical issues do tend to get mixed up with values and identity, which is ultimately why I left and feel at peace with my decision a year later—even despite the state of the country and its government. If you've read any of my previous letters, you'd also know I'm single and a freelancer, which can often make many of the practical issues of living abroad quite difficult and even more challenging. I also was always asked, "How long I'd stay?" and now I'm asked, "Why in the hell I came back?" At the end of the day, it's all subjective and personal! Even when I was living abroad and asked by those who wanted to do the same how to go about it, no two situations were alike. Courage and respect to us all!
I still DREAM of TCBY's White Chocolate Mousse! I found a TCBY in an airport a few years back, but they were out of WCM -- devastating. But perhaps it's better to have the memory than any new evidence that might contradict my belief that it's incredible??
Ha totally. May be one of those places that are best kept in the vault! 😆
Wow this resonates so much. After 10 years in Paris I'm back in The Bay since July. Nothing, absolutely nothing is going according to plan but I absolutely love being home. We're back and despite the bull shit and so much uncertainty we're going to be okay.
THIS IS SO VALIDATING, thank you so much for sharing and relating! Together in transition. :) Courage a toi!