Life in Edinburgh: Settling Into A New City

by Danielle Steller | DanielleSteller.com

Two years of living abroad and I have to say, it never ceases to amaze me the luck I walk into. Two months ago, I knew nothing about Edinburgh. Absolutely nothing.

I’d heard a word here and there about a festival, recalled some forgotten conversations about an underground city and google-imaged it a few times, but much like the shock of arriving in Vancouver, I was in no way prepared for it, mentally or emotionally.

I’ll confess, between Ryan and I, there’s no doubt that I’m the one that fears change the most. So it usually takes me a little while before I properly adjust to new surroundings and can call a place home.

We arrived in Edinburgh in time for my 30th birthday and I was an emotional wreck, full of tears and feeling homesick for both Canada and Australia. I felt misplaced. I felt like I’d had enough. I wanted to go home. Facebook messages and greetings made me cry. It was a pitiful sight to see!

In retrospect, celebrating a milestone birthday in an unfamiliar city was poor planning on my part.

Well, two months have passed. And you’re probably wondering, how am I now?

Ryan and I have signed a 6-month lease in the city centre near Haymarket station. I’m already working the 9-5 grind and guess what.. I’m finally starting to find my feet!

I’ve had time to explore the streets, find cheap eats and get cozy with the idea that I might just like it here.

And by a stroke of luck, we couldn’t have chosen a better city in the UK. Edinburgh has its own extinct volcano, incredible architecture and a historic castle that sits dramatically atop a gigantic hill in the middle of the city.

With the help of my favorite person, I’ve come to really love this new city and I can’t wait to get outside of city limits to explore the Scottish highlands and appreciate all of the natural wonders that Scotland has to offer us.

Looking back, I can’t believe I came so close to backing out of this. I nearly gave in to my own fear. I was so close to taking the next plane home. Yet here we are, living in town like locals and loving it.

I’m not going to lie and say that it’s all smooth sailing and that I don’t still miss the more permanent idea of “home” wherever that may be, but I will say that it’s definitely a huge step forward from where I was a few months ago.

So if there’s anything I’ve learnt since relocating to Europe it’s this..

Embrace Change. Never give in to fear.

Quote of the day: “Don’t be afraid of your fears. They’re not there to scare you. They’re there to let you know that something is worth it.”
― C. JoyBell C.