To think I've been living in London for 3 months honestly baffles me. In one way I feel like it's only yesterday that I was moving in and starting my job but, somehow, at the same time I feel like I've been here for ages. The last time I really updated you was when I was struggling to really know what to do after uni and things have really changed since then! If you didn't see on Instagram earlier this year, I was offered an internship in London and moved here at the end of Summer. I haven't really updated anyone properly about what's been really happening so I thought I'd share a brief summary if you're interested to know what I've been up to and how I've been.
Working in London
Back in July, I got offered an internship in London in an SEO based role. The only real knowledge of this before the internship was what I'd read online, used on my blog as well as the part-time freelance work I'd done on the side. I wasn't only excited to learn more about SEO but petrified that I didn't know enough. However, the internship has already taught me so much more than I could have expected and more than I ever knew.
The office is in central London and is super easy for me to travel to (thankfully, I can avoid the rush house tube!) and the people in the office are so lovely. I don't think I've ever been around so many creative and like-minded people ever! It has really made the more challenging days worth it. I've spoken in the past about how introverted I can be, and while I still predominantly am, I've felt a lot less worried about speaking out and I'm keen to get involved. I feel so comfortable at work.
The workload and the projects I'm set can be challenging and I've struggled more than I thought I would like to get the work/life balance. As someone who constantly stresses and overthinks, it's hard to not think about work worries after 5pm on weekdays. Hopefully, I will get there. It's also been difficult as the internship is just 6 months so there's no real security of knowing what's going to happen after - it almost feels a little out of my control at the moment. But, for now, I'm trying to make the most of it and enjoying the experience.
Living in London
I was super lucky with the living situation - my sister's housemate was moving out when I was applying for jobs so it seemed perfect for me to move in for my time in London and didn't have to worry about adjusting to living with people I didn't know.
I'll be honest, I've struggled to make the house feel like a home - with heating not working and an unwanted mouse making an appearance as well as not having much time to really focus on making it more homeful, it still doesn't feel very me. I kind of miss where I was living in York; the people, the house, the city - it all seemed a little easier there. London living never really lets you slow down and I've struggled to settle and actually live in London.
Being an Introvert in London
As I mentioned, I've always been more introverted and London doesn't seem like the most introvert-welcoming atmosphere. Everything is so fast-paced, busy and at times overwhelming. I enjoy quiet weekends, reading, going for a quiet walk, going to an art gallery and just having some time alone. It seems weird to do this in London where everyone else seems to want to do the complete opposite.
I'm having this constant internal battle at the moment between wanting to stay in or doing things alone but also wanting to get out there, explore, meet new people. I want to make the most of my weekends and make the most out of living in London but I also know I need my time alone but it almost feels lazy to do that in London. I’m still trying to get the balance on this one and trying not to let my introverted ways stopping me from doing great things but also knowing when I need to stop and take some time for myself and not feel guilty about it.
So there's just an update on my life. How've you been? What've you been up to this autumn?
Sarah x
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