Why?????

I’ve been asked so many times over the past few months “Why do you want to move to France?” 

And it’s often followed by:

              “They drink wine all the time; aren’t you worried you might start drinking again?”

              “Are you fluent in French?”

              “What about leaving your children?  Aren’t they upset?”

              “But what will happen when you get old and frail?”

              “Won’t you miss your friends and family?”

              “It’s all right for some – I wish I was as lucky as you!”

So, here are my answers to your “Why’s”:

Will I fall off the wagon?

Hasn’t anybody noticed that the UK has a massive drinking culture?  People often raise their eyebrows at me when I decline alcohol and some even try hard to get me to accept a drink; telling me I’m being boring or that I’m no fun anymore.

The French love their wine and, yes, some people drink to excess. I’ve been sober for four and a half years and there have been many moments of temptation during that time, and I’m sure there will be many more in France.

Where I live isn’t what keeps me sober, it’s remembering why I can’t drink alcohol that keeps me sober.

Is my French fluent?

Well I’ve been learning French for 2 years now and I’d say I’ve most definitely progressed to the beginners stage!  But, I do love to have a go at speaking this beautiful language and, by the smiles on people’s faces I’d say I’m pretty fluent at butchering it and I sometimes cringe to think what I might have said on occasion!  However, not once have I been criticised by the French for my lack of vocabulary and I have only ever been gently corrected and helped by everyone I have so far encountered.

Are my lovely family upset?

If they are then they’re keeping it very well hidden!  They have all told us how happy they are for us and our girls and their partners have done everything they can to support us and help make it happen.  Their levels of excitement are definitely equal to ours. 

Will there be times when we’ll miss them?  Undoubtedly there will, but we are only a phone call or short plane ride away and we know they are all independent people with their own exciting plans for the future. 

Also – think of the holidays they will have with us!!

What about when we get old and frail?

Getting old and frail is a privilege that I hope we are afforded! When it happens we will deal with it in whatever way is appropriate – just like we would if we still lived in England – and at least we’ll be old and frail in the sunshine!

Will we miss family and friends?

Oh God yes!!! But there are some people that I don’t see often enough when I’m living in the same country as them so my hope is that they will come and visit – often!!  In France we will have the room for them and we’ll be retired so we will have the time too.

And make no mistake – if they need us at any time, we will be with them as quickly as possible!

Oh yes, and telephones exist in France too you know!

“I wish I was as lucky as you!”

Well I’m here to tell you that I’m not lucky! I’m really not!!

You see, I had this dream that just wouldn’t go away. I would spend hours daydreaming about a life in France.  Visualising our house;  the kitchen, the big light rooms, the massive garden.  In minute detail.  Right down to the sounds and smells.  Imagining myself sitting in the garden writing; just like I am doing right now.  

So, I found the best coaches I could, that were the right fit for me: Donna Elliott, Cheryl Reid and Rachel Chan. I took on board their teachings, questioned them, learned to accept what I couldn’t explain and took 100% responsibility for my life and my actions.  Then I learned to put my faith in the Universe and I let go of what I couldn’t control and concentrated on taking the inspired actions that would get me to my goal.  One tiny step at a time.  Six years later – here we are!! Living the dream.

No, I’m not lucky. I did the inner work and accepted that it is my birth right to realise my dreams.  It was deeply uncomfortable, especially learning to love and forgive myself and others.  I still work at it every day and I work hard on my gratitude too.  Waking up each day with such deep love and wonder that I get to live this amazing life!

So, my “Why” is this:

• Looking at my hubby’s excited face in the mornings when he’s telling me his plans for the day.  Then seeing his relaxed face in the evenings as we sit star gazing on our “sitooterie” (it’s Scottish for anywhere you sit oot!). 

His face is my “why”

• Hearing our girls and their partners tell us how proud they are of us for following our hearts and making the dream happen.  We are showing them that it’s possible!

Feeling their love and pride in us is my “why”

• Seeing Adele spontaneously doing zoomies around the trees, picking up pears in the grass and throwing them around as though they’re balls.  This is the dog who didn’t know how to play 18 months ago!

Seeing her smile is my “why”

• Sitting in my garden, writing this, with no guilt that I “should” be doing something more productive.

  
  

Finally stepping fully into my creative, hippy, true self.  That is my “why”