The Beginning of Chapter Two

I stepped into a new chapter of life at the same time I became a mother. Alongside that came one of the biggest transitions a person can make — moving to a new country.

The move itself didn’t feel as difficult as people often expect it to. My friends and I had already learned how to stay connected across distance, and I didn’t feel like I was losing relationships in the way many people fear when they move. I also have my husband’s family nearby, and for someone who isn’t particularly social, he gives me all the connection and energy I need.

So while the geography changed, the real transition showed up elsewhere.

For me, home is everything. It’s the environment I spend most of my time in, and it needs to feel comfortable and grounding. This time, I was starting completely from scratch. No furniture, no familiar pieces, and none of the things that had slowly filled our first home.

It felt like doing a full spring clean without the guilt. A cleared wardrobe, empty kitchen drawers, no décor to work around. Even the items I once considered irreplaceable were left behind. With that came the challenge of decision-making — finding replacements for things I never thought I’d replace.

Making a house feel like a home is something I take seriously.

Our first home in the States told the story of our beginning. We bought it and moved in just before our wedding, and it held the first chapter of our little family. This home marks a different chapter — bringing our daughter into the world. It feels like only now we can truly call ourselves a family.

Because of that, everything I bring into this space carries intention. A nursery, her toys, and even a new capsule wardrobe for myself as a mother. Being in London rather than the countryside has also shaped this season — a different pace, a different style, and a new way of living.

Motherhood itself has been something to discover in real time. During pregnancy, I imagined birth going a certain way — it didn’t, and that’s a story for another time — or raising a toddler in the countryside surrounded by animals and a growing garden. London was never part of the picture.

And yet, it’s been exactly what we needed.

This city has given us permission to slow down and focus inward. Our days are quiet and intentional, and my life feels full in a way that looks very different from before. A career is no longer at the center, community was something we left behind, and a busy social life isn’t the goal in this season.

Motherhood comes with its own challenges. I’m not always the priority, and the first few weeks were very much survival mode — responding to her needs at any hour. Feeding, diaper changes, learning sleep and wake windows, figuring things out as we went.

Now that we’ve found a rhythm, I’m beginning to rebuild routine for myself as well.

With the new year approaching, I started earlier than planned. Mornings are simple and flexible. I aim to shower, get dressed in something I feel good in — usually fresh loungewear or something sporty — make coffee, have a simple breakfast, and spend a few minutes journaling so thoughts don’t spiral. If the timing shifts, I try not to be hard on myself. We adjust and move on.

There is still so much to learn, both about her and about myself. This space is where I’ll share that journey — the process of building a home, settling into motherhood, and navigating this new chapter of life.

One day, I hope to reread this when she’s no longer a baby and see how much has changed. For now, I’m discovering who I am in this season.

This is my story.

With love from London 🤍