Notes From Another Land

The reason why I want to empower women

You may remember I have been working on a startup concept (including a book)* for women since becoming pregnant and having my son abroad in the UK.

I was freelancing away, growing a baby and waddling along the streets of North West London, happily posting Instagram snaps of flowers in winter, coloured doorways, cute bikes with baskets, café views and other Euro moments that made me happy.

Notes From Another Land | Camden London England

I had been toying with the idea of the ‘business of being creative’, drawing, designing, writing and photographing my experiences and feeling inspired to help others who were also creatives, freelancers and solo-preneurs.

But right before I had my son, I did a complete 180 and said nope, I need to help women in general.

My personal story and the reason why I want to help these women so badly is one that I have been struggling to express, as I was trying to remain emotion-free in business. But here I am sharing it in the public domain even though it makes me feel queasy.

The short version:
I was this close to not having the life I have today.

Complete with loving husband, toddler son, Irish in-laws and many new friends in Australia and Europe – all because of my lack of financial literacy. More specifically because of my student debt, feelings of overwhelm and acceptance of things as they were, instead of holding a belief I was capable of making things happen for myself.

A few things my lack of belief in myself and limited financial knowledge almost got in the way of:

Notes From Another Land | Galway Wedding — *An Irish-Canadian Wedding*

Notes From Another Land | Amy in Australia — *More time in Australia*

Notes From Another Land | Amy in Ireland — *A move to Ireland*

Notes From Another Land | London Baby — *A son born in London, England*

The long version:
Back in 2011, I was getting ready to graduate in Australia where I had moved from Canada a year earlier without knowing a soul. Over the past year, I had managed to obtain my Degree, an Irish boyfriend, Chris, and a mountain of student debt. But I was barely scraping by, my student visa was about to expire and I didn’t have job interviews lined up after graduation, let alone a future life plan. I thought the writing was on the wall: I would have to leave Brisbane, break up with Chris and head back home feeling like a complete failure, broke and alone.

But as well as being my boyfriend, Chris was also an accountant and had moved countries before. He reasoned with me that if Australia’s economy was similar to Canada’s, surely I could get a job, return on a temporary work visa and start paying down my student loans. In my eyes it was a risky strategy, but the other alternative was ending our relationship, packing my bags and starting back at square one. He helped me realize it didn’t need to be so hard and encouraged me to invest in myself, working with me to change my mindset around money and paying down my debt.

Fast forward to today, Chris and I have been married for over four years, have a wonderful son, Ethan, and just bought our first home in Canada. I paid off my student loans in Australia and married the one – that almost got away – before we spent the next few years living, working and traveling in Europe. We celebrated major life milestones and were present for moments that matter, without the financial burden I had been carrying around.

Since having our son in London, I became focused on the issue of financial literacy amongst women. I kept seeing and hearing from other women in debt experiencing a similar lack of confidence around their personal finances and holding self-limiting beliefs. “When I can afford it, some day when I don’t have as much debt, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to”…resigning themselves to accepting instead of changing their personal situation. I now have a better grasp on my own personal finances and have seen the impact financial freedom can have on your choices, your outlook and your life.

Why does this matter? I can no longer sit and nod blankly, smiling empathetically, as others describe their money dilemmas, frustrations with finances or perceived limitations. I don’t know everything and I’m committed to learning as I go for the long haul.

But I do know this: I want to share my experiences, encourage them to invest in themselves and start improving their situation. Because having someone who believes in you, supports what you’re doing and holds you accountable can make all of the difference in your life. It can change your current reality and your future plans.

I also strongly believe financial literacy and flexible work are for everyone but at the moment, I am focusing on designing a community for parents who would like to invest in themselves alongside their families.

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Thank you for reading, I’m looking forward to hearing what you have to say!

-Amy

What am I writing about?

So what am I writing about?

The major life milestones you face in your 20s and 30s: financial literacy and lessons learned from my expat adventures over the past decade.

I am not an expert in personal finance myself, I come from a creative background in journalism and marketing. BUT I have created and managed budgets at work, dealt with invoicing and bookkeeping as a sole trader, moved country four times and I am married to an Accountant. I like to ask a lot of questions, tell stories and have been around my fair share of finance professionals.

I’ve studied, worked, studied, worked and paid all my debts back well before I hit 30. I’m student debt free, getting ready to purchase our first home and trying to figure out all this tax, investing, entrepreneurship and retirement planning malarkey – while looking after our family.

I don’t have the answers to everything but I want to talk about my own personal experiences over the past seven years and provide some practical resources for women that are relatable, flexible and helpful. We’re talking debt, milestones, goals and preparing for the future.

I started 2017 by asking millennial women in Europe, Canada and Australia about their personal experiences with their personal finances.

I want to help women to help themselves and contribute to the conversation around women and money. There are many ways, shapes and forms this conversation can take place but to start with I’m writing a book.

As someone short on time these days, this is the best way I can use my skills, experiences and time to start the conversation. I see it moving forward from there but I’m hoping my readers, customers and community will help me decide the direction it takes.

Since we’ve relocated to Canada, we have had a lot on our plate.

My husband had to look for and secure a new job. We had to buy a car. We’re trying to figure out where to ‘settle down’. Our son is practicing crawling, trying to walk and challenging my baby proofing skills daily.

Writing a book and working on my startup concept went to the bottom of the list when it comes to life priorities versus business goals.

Yes I know, I had a baby in that time and moved country and changed a lot of things.

But I stopped writing for almost one whole year. And you know what happened? Words didn’t get written. Ideas have percolated but have not been shared. My potential readers, listeners, customers, people who my book and business concept may help, have not heard from me.

Time keeps passing regardless and I don’t think I will have any more of it at any point in the near future!

So I am posting this now as a bit of personal and professional accountability but also to share what I’m working on.

Since arriving in Canada, I have written emails to local and national contacts to share my idea and see what resources are available.

I started writing in tiny pockets of time at night if our son would go to sleep the first time around.

I’ve brought him along to pitch days and mentor meetings with me, where I received more positive feedback and encouragement for my concept.

I’ll keep sharing my writing progress and business concept in the lead up to the book launch with subscribers.

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I’m writing a book

Notes From Another Land - Writing A Book

There, I said it.

It’s percolating.

I’ve wanted to write and publish a book for some time now and I need to take the steps to make it happen because no one is going to come knocking on my door to ask me to write one, unless I first put something out there.

If you’re a first time visitor to my blog, you may not know that I am a Canadian who has spent some time living and working abroad.

Long story short (and mini book teaser), I’ve been in Australia, Ireland, England and recently returned home with my family. My Irish husband and I met in Ottawa, Canada and then moved to Brisbane, Australia four months later. We were married in Galway and spent time living in Ireland. Relocated to the UK for a couple of years and had a baby in London. Flew back to Ottawa this spring and started all over again – only this time with our Irish Canadian baby boy to keep life interesting.

I’ve been remote working from Europe for the past few years and travelling around, blogging and posting photos to Instagram as I went. Mostly for my friends, family and to fulfill my need to write and be creative. But while I was pregnant, I had one of those idea-in-the-shower moments and a concept for my book.

I registered domains, created social media accounts, told my husband and started writing. At six months pregnant when I could have been ‘nesting’ and doing baby prep, I spent time working on my creative project. Then I paused to give birth, look after our baby and learn how to be a mother. For real, those things take time.

A week after we had our baby in July 2016, I sat up at midnight before going to sleep for a few hours and finally applied to the next round of Google’s Campus London Campus for Mums Startup School, to pitch my idea and develop the concept.

I had looked into the program when I was pregnant but didn’t know when the next cohort started. That month I saw a post on social media – they were calling for applications and the next round would start a few weeks later in August! I told my husband about the baby-friendly program for founders who also happen to be parents and he said to go for it.

So I applied and was one of 35 founders accepted to the program from across the UK.

I pitched my idea: a financial literacy media brand for millennial women – to a room full of strangers – while holding my seven-week-old son.

I listened to guest speakers while breastfeeding, participated in focus groups wearing my postpartum clothes, complete with fresh baby spit up.

I finished the program with great contacts, positive feedback, launched a landing page and a few social media channels.

Slowly, very slowly, I’ve been putting the pieces together.

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10 reasons to apply to Campus for Mums

Notes From Another Land - Campus London Campus for Mums

As a recent alum of the sixth cohort of Google’s Campus London Campus for Mums Programme, I’ve been asked to spread the word the next round is open for applications.

The programme is open to Mums AND Dads, as well as non-parents but priority is given to parents who are founders or are in the idea stage of their startup (as I was when I joined).

The next round runs every Tuesday morning, from 2 May – 4 July 2017, and they select 35 parent founders to participate in the 10-week programme.

To help you with your application (mainly to light a fire under you and get you moving forward) here are 10 reasons to apply:

10) Commitment: It’s only one day per week you need to roll yourself out of bed, put on some slap (always optional), get baby and you ready and get there for 10am. You don’t even need to wear business attire, there is no dress code and the place is breastfeeding friendly complete with change mats and play areas, so comfort is key.

9) Solidarity: Bring your (up to 18-months-old) baby with you, send them off to nursery or if your kids are in school that’s fine too. There’s no pressure to leave baby at home or leave the room while they cry and a speaker is presenting, the idea is everyone has been there, done that. 👊

8) Flexibility: You also don’t have to bring the kiddies if you want to work on your idea in the afternoon, the choice is yours. The whole 3rd floor event space including free WiFi is yours for the taking every Tuesday, courtesy of the programme and there is a café on site in the bottom level, part of the Campus London coworking space.

7) Community: You become a member of Campus London (a Google space) once you’re accepted to attend the programme, however, you don’t have to be a previous member to apply! Membership is free either way and gives you access to the coworking café, networking and educational events. You can also pitch to host your own event to use the space and since TechHub London are also on site, the place is always buzzing with activity! Campus London is part of the Campus ‘family’ which includes global locations in Madrid, São Paulo, Seoul, Tel Aviv and Warsaw.

6) Feedback: Meet and hear from inspiring speakers each week who aren’t above speaking to you one-on-one about your startup pitch or existing structure. Your background is just as important as your idea, so don’t worry if you only have a concept. The peers in the programme are learning alongside you and you are placed into working groups for some tasks to help develop your idea and gather feedback with informal focus group-style conversations. You’re also placed in the hot seat the first week as you introduce yourself, your background and your idea – but fear not! Everyone has to introduce themselves, it provides clarity and is a nice ice breaker to help find commonalities or ways in which you may help one another. As part of the final week, you pitch your slide deck and concept to a mentor (seed fund investor, venture capitalist, etc) for one-on-one feedback which is real-world, applicable and invaluable.

5) Education: Wondering what kind of niche to target? Exploring different funding methods? Deciphering what UX/UI means? Uncertain of your business model or route to market? Get started designing a lean business model canvas as part of the course, learn about product/market fit, marketing and communications, funding options and their pros and cons, plus more. You get access to the slides, weekly topics and everyone in the programme’s contact details for future networking and continued support. Not only is it accessible, it’s free – all you need to do is apply, accept and show up for 10 weeks!

4) Publicity: Our cohort was featured in the London Evening Standard and the Sunday Times Small Business section, as well as on multiple influential social media channels. Also don’t underestimate your cohorts network! If you’re reading this far, you’re in mine and you just may apply to a future programme. You can also use publicity to propel your business forward and as an accepted participant, you’ll be an ‘alum’ or ‘member’ of Campus London’s Campus for Mums which you can use on your startup’s marketing collateral if you wish.

3) Support: I was red-faced, nervous and holding my seven-week-old baby when I made my introductory ‘pitch’ on week one. I had just been given the ‘OK’ by my doctor to proceed as normal going about my day post-emergency c-section and I hadn’t navigated that part of East London with baby and all my gear (stroller, carrier, nappy bag) solo until then. My baby had just been fed, spit up on me and proceeded to babble for most of my pitch but I received applause, smiles and a few reassuring comments throughout that first day and weeks afterwards about the validity of my idea. I even received offers to help, provide feeedback, introductions to potential mentors and investors – you name it. The icing on the cake: one fellow mum held my lunch container for me one week so I could eat and feed my baby at the same time, another week a mum offered to hold him so I could go to the loo. And as I wore him in the baby carrier into my final week pitch to an investor mentor, one of the dads offered to look after him! Talk about business with heart. Most parents to newborns will agree, having free arms = BIG DEAL.

2) Diversity: You meet some seriously interesting people, who have done amazing things, worked in amazing places and come from very diverse backgrounds. All with very different startup ambitions. Around half of our cohort weren’t from the UK (myself included) but London is a city of interesting characters, blow ins and individuals trying to live and create their lives. The mix of participants, all ages, more female than male, really made the experience and it will be interesting to see who the programme continues to attract and the startups that are launched or grow as part of it.

1) Time: You have it, so don’t waste it! I applied one night between feeds when my baby was less than two weeks old. I was in the newborn fog but I had been mulling over my concept for a while. I had stumbled upon the Campus London website and programme info but couldn’t see dates so I direct messaged the Campus London Instagram account while I was heavily pregnant, hoping it would be running again over the next year. Turns out it was in the nick of time – applications closed in mid-July and the programme started in mid-August, which meant my baby wouldn’t quite be two months old. I figured I could commit to one day per week, it would get me out of the house and I would meet other like-minded parents. At the very least they would provide croissants + coffee, changing tables, a play area, seats and WiFi – what more could a breastfeeding mum ask for? So I spoke to my husband, he thought it sounded like a great idea, encouraged me to apply before the deadline and I did. I wrote in my answers as honestly as I could, saved the form and hit ‘Apply’. To my surprise (and delight!) I was selected, met 34 other great mums and dads from all walks of life and geographic locations, as well as the brilliant members of Campus London’s team. I really enjoyed the whole process from start to finish and am happy to say we’re keeping in touch via email and occasional meet ups.

So get crackin’ on those biz goals or creative dreams you’ve been thinking about pre or post-baby and apply before March 28th!

Best of luck 🙂

Read my previous post about the experience here.

P.S. Learn more about my startup concept, Her Best Life, and connect with me as I prepare for launch 🚀, via Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.

Photo by: Campus London Campus for Mums 2016 Sixth Cohort Member, The Alma Collective.

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Lessons for all seasons

Woke up this morning to the US Election results after my husband and I were up most of the night looking after our baby. Around 3am he mentioned the current poll results, I gave it a quick thought then went back to looking after our son and back to bed.

Now that I have had a cup of coffee, the actual results are sinking in. A quick scan of news sites and social media feeds from friends around the world reflect a common sentiment: disbelief.

Maybe it’s because I’m a ‘Mum’ now but my first thoughts were – what kind of world will my son grow up in? But after his recent 16-week injections, he doesn’t care about the current state of the world or this morning’s headlines. He just wants to be cuddled and looked after. So I’m focusing on that for now.

I came across a friend and former coworker from Ireland’s Tweet and thought it carried good intentions to remember:

Today, go to your library. Read books. Be kind to people you meet. Plant something. Create something beautiful. Be the phoenix.

Now I didn’t study economics, politics or much in the way of law outside of basic high school civics, social sciences and some post-secondary media law and ethics. But I do know that when I start to think of things on a large scale: my lack of control over the world in general and how it will impact our future as a family, it gets overwhelming. When you think about things on a smaller scale: what can I do today to be positive? Contribute? Give more than I take? It’s a lot more manageable.

I don’t know how today’s current events will shape our future but I do know the little things I do daily make a difference and will make small ripples if I let them. A few things I have learned from my older relations and their recent passings are that kind gestures do not go unnoticed. A green thumb in the garden demonstrates your love for life and sharing with others. Creativity and freedom of expression are gifts that aren’t always encouraged everywhere, but it’s up to you to decide how you use yours. Dancing, singing and laughter are always welcome – a ready smile can make others remember you for it.

So we will teach our son to be kind. Patient. Fair. Open-minded.
To laugh when he’s feeling joyful and to listen when others are not.

I know my husband and I are living our lives differently than our parents lived theirs, so what we teach our son may not inspire him to continue on the same path. But our small actions, best intentions and steadfast love are all we ourselves can control.

And when those don’t feel like they’re enough, there’s always ‘If’ by Rudyard Kipling:

If you can keep your head when all about you
Are losing theirs and blaming it on you,
If you can trust yourself when all men doubt you,
But make allowance for their doubting too;
If you can wait and not be tired by waiting,
Or being lied about, don’t deal in lies,
Or being hated, don’t give way to hating,
And yet don’t look too good, nor talk too wise:

If you can dream—and not make dreams your master;
If you can think—and not make thoughts your aim;
If you can meet with Triumph and Disaster
And treat those two impostors just the same;
If you can bear to hear the truth you’ve spoken
Twisted by knaves to make a trap for fools,
Or watch the things you gave your life to, broken,
And stoop and build ’em up with worn-out tools:

If you can make one heap of all your winnings
And risk it on one turn of pitch-and-toss,
And lose, and start again at your beginnings
And never breathe a word about your loss;
If you can force your heart and nerve and sinew
To serve your turn long after they are gone,
And so hold on when there is nothing in you
Except the Will which says to them: ‘Hold on!’

If you can talk with crowds and keep your virtue,
Or walk with Kings—nor lose the common touch,
If neither foes nor loving friends can hurt you,
If all men count with you, but none too much;
If you can fill the unforgiving minute
With sixty seconds’ worth of distance run,
Yours is the Earth and everything that’s in it,
And—which is more—you’ll be a Man, my son!

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London baby: The business of being a new mum

This is our ninth week of parenthood.

Not only am I a new mum, I’m:

the mother of a baby boy (a new experience having never grown up with brothers of my own!);
recovering from surgery after having an emergency c-section;
living as an expat in a temporary apartment in a major city in a foreign country away from family;
attempting to breastfeed exclusively; and
attending a startup school to see if my business idea can grow alongside my new family.

This isn’t meant to be a humble brag. Or an online whinge. A laundry list of achievements. Or whatever metaphor I’m trying to avoid pinning to it.

It’s simply a post to share my new experience as a new mum, almost three months in (coming through the trenches of what they call the fourth trimester). Trying to put words to how I’m feeling, how I’m faring and things other mums-to-be, new mums and non-mums may want to know.

Everything I’ve mentioned above is a new learning curve for my husband and I but we’re adapting as we go.

The new baby boy? He’s lovely, smiley, hearty and starting to show signs of his personality these days. Yes, I’m sleeping less. No, I don’t mind. Of course, I’m in love but mostly I’m in shock. I still can’t believe I’m a mum/mom/mother/mammy to this little squishy person that looks up at me with alert, admiring blue eyes each day. Does that feeling ever go away or sink in?

The body after surgery? It’s on the mend, I’m exploring London with my new little buddy and I’m feeling proud. I was chatting to fellow mums (who are also independent and strong-willed) who’ve had similar debilitating surgeries and we all didn’t realise how serious it would be going in – ignorance is bliss, right? But I’m happy to say we’re all mums to healthy bubs and able to get out and about, getting our strength back. Sometimes it’s hard to seek or accept help when you’re used to doing things on your own but this is a time in my life when I’ve been extremely grateful for all offers from family, friends and kind strangers.

Life as an expat mum? Living in London has been brilliant so far. Access to local health services, support groups and other mums has been wonderful. I’ve been out walking every day since baby was one week old. We’ve been on a double decker London bus, the Tube, Thameslimk and Overground trains. We’ve been to the Tate Modern, Tate Britain, Southbank, Westminister, Kings Cross, Regent’s Park, Primrose Hill, Hampstead Heath, Battersea, St James and Green Parks, Farringdon, Barbican and plenty spots in between. There’s so much to see and this historical European city is very accessible compared to some. We’re lucky all of the Grandparents have been over and soon he’ll be meeting Aunts and Uncles in Canada and Ireland!

Breastfeeding? So far, so good! I’ve never been a modest woman but being at the mercy of a tiny person’s frequent appetite makes you even more comfortable with whipping your boobs out at a moment’s notice. I, of course, have a nursing cover and muslin squares handy for most places but finding breastfeeding-friendly and affordable fashions has proved challenging. So expect to see a similar maternity wardrobe on rotation thus Autumn/Winter. Still working on that one.

You’re starting a what? Lately, we’ve been attending Campus for Mums in London, Google for Entrepreneurs Startup School for expecting, new and already experienced parents with ideas for, or existing businesses. They accept 35 applicants to participate in their baby-friendly 10-week programme. Think babies crawling about while their parents conduct focus group interviews. Breastfeeding while developing your target customer. Changing poopy nappies while listening to guest speakers outline funding options. We’re part of the sixth cohort and the programme was featured in this week’s edition of The Sunday Times Small Business section.

It’s early days yet but so far it’s been great to meet other new and experienced parents and discuss their ideas, with my baby on my lap! He’s the third youngest baby and youngest boy as we started at seven weeks but there were four-week old and 10 day old baby girls in attendance from the start. I found the programme via Instagram but Google’s Campus locations advertise their application process for each cohort and run similar programmes in Madrid, Tel Aviv, Seoul, Warsaw and São Paulo.

I’ve found a couple of other tech events for women in London but their evening schedule conflicts with the baby bedtime routine. So, if you’re a new mum with an interest in business or continuing education and don’t know where to look, how to start or when to find the time, here are a few links you may find helpful.

Networks for women:

Online courses:

Blogs/Podcasts:

Best of luck, no matter what experience you’re going through!

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Parenthood and professional development don’t have to be mutually exclusive.

When one door closes

I came across this quote recently and it made me think, for every:

missed opportunity;
closed door;
firm no; and
I told you so.

There’s always been:

something different (sometimes greater);
someone else; or
some surprise…

…waiting in the wings.

A wise woman I once worked with held firm her belief:
“A good no is better than a bad yes.”

I smiled when she first told me this, thinking what a quirky view to have of people. But over time, I’ve come to adopt the same opinion – it is better to know and be certain, whatever the outcome, than to rely on something or someone who may not have been meant for you in the first place.

If you’ve experienced any life hurdles lately (small or large, they can trip you up all the same), I hope this helps you accept them with ease…and leaves you ready to welcome what is coming next. 🌈

Celebrating Mother’s Day

Pregnant in London outside Greenwich Park © Amy Lynch 2016 | Notes From Another Land

I know I’ve gone quiet on the blog over the past seven months.

Perhaps it’s been because I’ve been focusing on growing a little human…but that would be a lie. We are, in fact, expecting our first baby in London at the end of June (so soon!) but during this time I have had plenty to write about.

We’ve moved apartments, been to Ireland twice to visit family and have spent weekends getting ready for the new baby and exploring London now that the sun is finally shining!

To be honest, I’ve been thinking of lots of things to share with you but wondering if any of them were worth publishing or if they would really be helpful to readers, including past, present or future expats.

Before I get into it, here is a recent photo from a day trip to Greenwich. I’ve been visiting lots of galleries, restaurants and parks this past winter and spring (hello cultured baby).

I will admit I was terrified of being pregnant in London at first.
It’s not that I was caught by surprise, but it’s not a city for the faint-hearted.

I experienced culture shock when we first moved here: the crowds, the vastness of the city, the number and variety of people, the endless options of activities. These things are all positives but I think it took me a while to adjust and I am still working on it.

I am lucky in that I don’t commute regularly and battle the crowds each work day because I’ve found if you’re not careful, it can have a tendency to bring out the worst in you. I had romantic visions of how much easier it would be to be pregnant in Canada or Ireland: glowing amongst the helpful and courteous strangers, the comforts of being close to family and friends and all things familiar, including the food.

From the perspective of what it’s like to be expecting my first baby as an expat in London, I think it’s best to share my experience so far.

Things I have been grateful for:

Fashion options: the number of secondhand charity stores with fabulous clothing, to save you the trauma of maternity shopping in overpriced department stores with limited selection. But when you feel up to it, there are loads of high street options to help you adapt your wardrobe to accommodate your new buddy. However, I will say that since things change so rapidly, it’s best to have a budget in mind – I am told this applies to all things baby-related (clothes, nappies/diapers, toys)!
On demand everything: while some people view the endless take away chains, online grocery ordering, task rabbit-type services and same-day delivery options as slowly chipping away at our society’s ability to socialise, function at a basic level in public and organise your life without the help of the internet, these are all moot points to a pregnant lady. We don’t have a car in London, I cannot carry as many grocery bags as I used to and to be honest, bending over to use a dustpan these days is a struggle. I would like to publicly thank all of the local small businesses, start-ups and big chains for offering delivery and actually carrying said items through my flat for me. With your help, we’ve managed to set up for the new arrival without having to drive one km.
Passive-aggressive transit cues: the cute little complimentary ‘Baby on Board!’ button, which you can get from Transport for London to announce to the other commuters that you are ‘with child’ and silently ask, “can you please give me your seat so the baby and I don’t have to struggle to regain our balance in between transit stops?”. Don’t get me wrong – there are still plenty of head down commuters who ignore expecting women but the majority of people I’ve encountered (women especially) have been compassionate for a city as large as London. This is especially helpful before you are properly showing, since people will not start commenting until you are noticeabley large. Thanks to this button, I have had many seat offers, questions from grocery store cashiers and understanding smiles from other women.
Access to care: the NHS has been very helpful, with a nice booklet provided to mark my appointments and notes in, check-ups every few weeks and access to GP, midwifery and hospital care all within my local neighbourhood.
Kind strangers: getting free advice at the bus stop and my local café in a city where people avoid eye contact at all costs is a big deal. Since sporting the new bump, I have had lots of congratulations, questions and even been wished well on my journey to becoming a mum by the smiling staff at Nando’s after a Friday lunch. I started taking a casual art class and after barely introducing myself to the group, had invitations to bring the newborn baby along when I’m home on leave so I can keep painting!
Future opportunities: this city has loads of young families and the quality of services in each catchment area initially caught me off guard. From pregnancy/mother and baby yoga and breastfeeding cafés to playgroups, free library story time, baby swim classes and buggy (pram/stroller) walking clubs, there is something on offer for all schedules.

We have decided to stay here in London for the time being and while I never imagined having a baby in a city so big, I have been pleasantly surprised. There are plenty of other people in the same situation as me: living in an apartment, having their first child in one of the world’s biggest cities and navigating both life as an expat and a new parent at the same time.

It’s humbling to know that I am not unique, it has been done before and there are ways to adapt your life to a new baby and a new city, with plenty of local services ready and willing to help you cope.

We have all of our supplies ready to go, much the same as we would have in Canada or Ireland. The in-laws are planning their summer visits and there is talk of our first family trip to visit our homelands but for now that is all it is…talk. We’re focusing on settling into our cosy London flat, meeting our new neighbours and joining our local group of mums and dads.

Since it’s Mother’s Day in Canada today, we have had a weekend of mini celebrations in the sunshine which included visits to our local market, gardening and gelato. Reminders of what is really important in life: time with loved ones, being outside in nature and enjoying simple pleasures.

Happy Mother’s Day to all of Mums, Moms, Mams, Mas, Mammies, Grans, Grannies, Nans and Grandmas (including Great)! I hope you’ve had a nice weekend full of love and little moments wherever you are and whomever you’ve been spending it with.

P.S. I’ve been reading a few things to prepare me for future life as a mum and I absolutely adore Cup of Jo’s blog. If you’re expecting, planning to have a baby or are in the thick of new parenthood, she has a whole section full of helpful Motherhood posts. Best of luck on your journey and if I encounter you along the way, I promise to offer you my seat, congratulations and a friendly, knowing smile.

Growing up: change is good

I haven’t written in over three months.
It hasn’t been due to a lack of desire, inspiration or motivation.
It hasn’t been due to a lack of wifi, technology or experiences.

It has taken me from a period of warm and long summer days, gradually entering into autumn, falling leaves, damp, chilly evenings and cool, fresh mornings, to be able to articulate all the change that’s happened during the transition in seasons.

I did a quick search of the definition of ‘autumn’ and it came up with “a period of maturity or incipient decline“.

Let’s go with the first bit – I feel like I’ve matured a bit over the past few months (whether intentionally or by accident is besides the point) but sometimes you need to absorb these experiences and let them sit for a while before you can take stock of them.

There have been more than three things which have taken place between July and October.

I can’t describe them in detail but their effects have started to create a change of heart, relationship dynamics and future goals.

In chronological order but not in order of importance, they included:

submitting our application for me to stay in the UK with the husband: we are still waiting on this decision and as time rolls on, our patience is waning and our attention is turning to other ways we can live the life we want to create together, with less ongoing paperwork and uncertainty that an international relationship typically invites.
taking the time to learn a new skill: with the goal of creating something for others to cherish, use and enjoy in their day-to-day lives.
the passing of my Grandmother: due to the above UK bit, I wasn’t able to say goodbye to her in person or take part in her memorial service, which I am sure affects many expats but the shared experience doesn’t quite replace the lack of closure. I did however get to visit Canada one week afterwards, where I spent time with family, friends and colleagues. They say time heals everything but I think there’s also a strong case for the impact of ongoing support from a network you trust, in a place you feel familiar.
presenting at and participating in an event in Australia with one of my sisters: getting to visit the first home I had with the husband felt like I had never left, it was an odd feeling but a great one at the same time. We also had the opportunity to visit Adelaide, a city I had never been to before. I was overwhelmed by the positivity, kindness and openness I experienced during those two weeks and left feeling rejuvenated and looking forward to the next chapter and 2016.
being part of my other sister’s wedding party, with the husband: it was a short but sweet week spent in Canada where we had the chance to meet our new brother-in-law’s family, dance and laugh. It was the first time we were both at my family farm since Christmas 2013 and autumn in Eastern Ontario is always one of the best times of year.
I signed up to volunteer as part of a children’s literacy project: I haven’t volunteered regularly since we left Australia in 2013 and I wanted to do something small that will make a gradual impact over time.

If it doesn’t challenge you, it doesn’t change you.

There are two months to go before 2016 and as we wait for an outcome in the UK, we are preparing to hibernate for winter, make future travel plans and consider our long-term options. We can feel a change is a coming and are starting to see what direction we should be heading in. Stay tuned for those posts in 2016.

Over the next few months, I will be focusing on sharing:

local London adventures {walking, eating and exploring}
inspiration for creatives {things I’ve noted along the way}
small business and remote work links {resources I’ve discovered}

Here’s hoping you’re enjoying the crisp season and making the most of the changes around you.