Two months ago, I uprooted my life, packed one suitcase and stepped on a plane that would bring me to my new home for the next year, Dublin Ireland. I have always loved taking on a challenge, or a new adventure that would allow me to experience something extraordinary. But as glamorous as it might sound, there are definitely aspects to it that are anything but great. When I moved here, I didn’t know a soul in Dublin and besides my roommates there is wasn’t really anyone I talked to.
Subsequently, that meant that I was spending a lot of time by myself. Whether it was on my morning commute, while strolling through the city, or at night when eating dinner, I was by myself most of the time. At first, this really frightened me. I was used to being surrounded by family and friends or at least always having the option of dropping in at someone’s place if I wanted company.
To get the feeling that I wasn’t alone, I would constantly be watching YouTube videos, have music play in the background or spend my nights binge-watching Netflix shows. I was miserable and after a while, I realized that I was not allowing myself to really engage with my new life and therefore couldn’t really adapt to it.
Whenever you start somewhere fresh, it takes time for you to figure out how things work, to meet new people, and to find a routine that works for you. Especially, the beginning can be quite challenging. Being afraid of being alone only makes this harder.
One day as I was sitting on the bus to go home I realized that being alone right now was actually nothing I had to be afraid of. When else would I get the time to be just by myself? When else would I be able to get to know myself? When else would I be able to do what only I wanted to? When else would I be able to explore a new city exactly the way I want? Before I know it, I will be surrounded by people again whether it will be my new friends here or my friends and family when I go back home to visit.
As soon as I figured that out, I started to be much happier here. Instead of constantly having background noise, I started to embrace the silence.
Here is what happened.
1. I got to know myself better.
I was able to discover many aspects of myself that I didn’t even know were a part of me. It has made me more aware of who I am. Now, I know where my limits lie or where I can push my boundaries even further.
2. It helped me figure out what I want.
What exactly do I want out of life? What is my career supposed to look like? What will the next five years hold in store for me? These are all questions that probably everyone in their twenties has asked themselves at one point or another. Being by myself so much has allowed me to really listen to what my heart and my gut tells me.
3. I have experienced things I never thought I would.
I have hiked a holy mountain, participated in a demonstration against an anti-abortion law, taken part in a traditional Irish holiday and tried new foods. Being alone has forced me to open myself up to new opportunities that put me out of my comfort zone. As scary as they might have been in the beginning, as rewarding they were in the end.
Now, that I am no longer afraid of being by myself I have started to fully embrace living in Dublin. Time seems to be flying by and I have even started to make some new friends here. Even though, the beginning was challenging I wouldn’t trade having this opportunity to live in a new country during my twenties.
If you ever have the opportunity, take it. You will be rewarded in ways you never thought possible.