Even though I have been in Sweden almost two years now it is still all so new to me sometimes. Today was one of those instances where all I had to help me was my understanding of the language and common sense (yes I did have Itranslate app but that it’s cheating).
I was a little bored and decided to take the train to Linköping. On the train, the ticket inspector didn’t speak any English so it was a decent opportunity to talk Swedish to her. It went well, and I arrived safely. Walking around parts of a city I know are easy, that is staying in my comfort zone, but I decided upon venturing to different places, in a country where English is not the first spoken language you realise that you are totally out of your comfort zone.
Yet this afternoon reminded me of the decision to leave the UK and move to Sweden. I needed a challenge, I wanted to brush of the shackles of the past decade that I had in London and push myself to new boundaries. Of course, love was my main decision to move, but living somewhere new was also the main decision. It’s funny at times living here.
Often staring into someone’s eyes, as you don’t know exactly what they are saying to you. Reading signs and trying to recall the words you learnt in language lessons. Yet, for me, it makes it all the more exciting and challenging.
Sweden has been my home for 18 months now, and whilst I miss the UK Sweden feels more warming with each day. No doubt there are many challenges ahead, yet I wouldn’t move back for anything right now.
