A New Beginning…
So I guess this is it. My time in Ireland has come to an end and here I am, writing my first ever blogpost from my desk on the third floor of a parisien apartment. Really it feels so surreal to finally be sharing this new chapter of my life as it is happening with you guys.
If you follow me over on Instagram you probably know by now that I’ve been spending the past few days sightseeing, settling in and really just coming to terms with the fact that I don’t live in Ireland anymore. Today I thought I’d just share some of my thoughts on this with you guys, in case any of you are going through a similar experience or plan to in the future.
Moving country isn’t easy to say the least, especially when you’re going the distance alone. Leaving my friends and family behind as well as the life I’m used to in Dublin has probably been one of the most difficult challenges I have ever had to face in my life. If you’ve been with me on this journey for any length of time now you’d know that in real life I struggle a lot with feeling cripplingly shy a lot of the time. So it’s not like making friends is the easiest thing for me, especially in a city as big as paris.
That said though, we need to challenge ourselves to get out of our comfort zones. It’s easy to be the kid who stays indoors and blogs all day instead of going out and meeting new people. This year I’m really giving my all to change that. And so far, things are working out. Yes, I still feel shy all the time. But it doesn’t mean I’m not going to make friends and fight it. In a city as vast and as beautiful as paris, the opportunity to live here only comes along once in a lifetime so you may as well be open to making the most of new experiences, even if you have to make them happen yourself.
For the time being, I’m still getting my bearings. Google maps has been my best friend for the past week and being immersed in French culture after a year of not being in college means that the language is ever so slowly coming back to me. But I know that this is the opportunity of a lifetime and an experience I’ll remember for the rest of my life.
If theres one thing I love about Paris (aside from the amazing sights of course,) it’s being able to sit outside the cute little cafes and creperies with a croissant and a cafe au lait. Life here seems so much more relaxed than life in Dublin where we us Dublin gals can often be spotted sprinting through the narrow city streets in our high-heels, elbowing past groups of tourists and spilling our Butlers coffees all over the place. The parisians really know how to take their time and enjoy the little things in life which I think in this day and age is a great skill to have. Things are are just so peaceful here and the city itself just has such a chill vibe. Already I feel really like I belong. I just wish I had my friends from home here with me so I could enjoy it that little bit more.
Anyway, I just wanted to update you guys a little on what’s going on. I can’t wait to share more of the city with you. Until then I hope you all have a good week and make it through the first week of school. See you very soon in my next post.
~Amanda xx
Mandy Cherie 
Lyne
I think this is probably the first time in my life I read about Parisians being relaxed. To me everyone always seems to be in a hurry and grumpy haha.
I share your feelings about shyness, I will be living temporarily in England for two months and while I’m exited I’m still a little anxious about if I will meet new people or make friend since I’m a little socially awkward XD . But as you wrote we need to challenge ourselves ! :3 Anyway, I hope you have fun in Paris. Looking forward to read the rest of your journey 😀
LikeLiked by 1 person
MEW
Hahahah really? I just think the city is so chill. Especially at night when you see people hanging around and sipping wine on the steps of all the different monuments. That kind of thing is so rare in Dublin. But maybe I’m just seeing the city through a rose coloured lens right now 😂 I understand those feelings 100%. I almost didn’t want to come because I thought i couldn’t handle it. But the important thing to do is when you arrive get out there and spend as much time with new people as possible. You never know how just how nice the people are going to be and the opportunities that will come to you by being a little more confident. I know it’s super hard though. I’m doing my best as we speak >_<" aww thank you! Good luck in England! ❤️xx
LikeLiked by 1 person
Lyne
Yes really ahah.I do agree that at nice it looks peaceful though, I love to walk around near the Seine etc 😀 but there’s some area where you don’t feel so safe at night xD. Anyway it’s still a pretty damn cool city :p
I know the feeling, everything is planned already but part of me still want to chicken out and cancel but nope ahaha. I’m sure you will do great here 🙂 Also if you need any help don’t hesitate to ask me, I’d be glad to help :3
LikeLiked by 1 person
MEW
Is the Seine safe to walk by? In Dublin you don’t really want to be walking by the Liffey at night and even some parts of the day unless you really know where you’re going. Montmartre and Quartier Latin are my favourite places here so far though! ❤️👌🏻 Aww don’t be scared! honestly these are the experiences we’re going to tell our grandkids about :’) thank you so much Lyne! I’ll keep that in mind xx
LikeLike
savannahloomis
I’m so jealous! Its my dream to move to Paris one day
LikeLiked by 1 person
MEW
Hahahaha aw thank you :’) You definitely should try! Maybe you could study abroad here someday? Even just visiting the city on a holiday though is a beautiful experience in itself. That way you get to relax here all the time ❤️x
LikeLiked by 1 person
savannahloomis
Paris is my favorite place in the whole world! I wish I could study abroad. But its so expensive!
LikeLiked by 1 person
MEW
Me too! ❤️ Everything about it is just so beautiful and charming 😊💖 I get what you mean completely. I spent all of last year working so that I could afford to come here for the year. But after getting here I realise that the cost of living in Paris is waaaay cheaper than the cost of living in Dublin where I’m from. 😮 The expensive part is getting here but after that I think it can totally be possible if you’re savvy with your dolla bills haha :’)
LikeLiked by 1 person
savannahloomis
I’ve looked high and low for apartments in Paris and they’re all way out of my range. Where did you find one?
LikeLiked by 1 person
MEW
I got really lucky because I had advice from some friends! Keep looking and something will pop up eventually ^_^ x
LikeLiked by 1 person
hell0chloe
Wowiee congratulations girly !! Keep us updated!! xxx
LikeLiked by 1 person
MEW
Thank you so much! And absolutely! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
kittyp0p
Congratulations! Did you get a job there or go to study? (: I can’t wait to hear more xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
MEW
Thank you! ✨❤️ I’m here for an Erasmus year! x
LikeLiked by 1 person
kittyp0p
Oh nice (: good luck and have fun xoxo
LikeLiked by 1 person
indieandlily
Tes photos sont très belle !
I have studied in France for two years and am hoping to move back next year to Paris to work, c’est le rêve 😍
Enjoy your erasmus I know it was the best thing I ever did! Bonne chance 😊
LikeLiked by 1 person
MEW
Merci beaucoup! ❤ Oui paris est magnifique!😍 Awww you definitely should think about moving back to paris if you enjoyed it that much. And thank you so much my dear. Already the city has captured my heart ❤ Merci cherie!
LikeLike